by Cheryl A. Hunter
Fantasy Romance is a growing genre… but it has been around for a while! In today’s guest blog, Cheryl A. Hunter tells us about some of her favourite older stories with fantasy romance elements.
The Odyssey
Some of my favorite fantasy romance stories are the classical hero stories of Greek Mythology. The heroes embark on amazing adventures with extraordinary challenges, characters with magical abilities, remarkable settings, and romance. The universal themes of bravery, love, and heartbreak resonate as much with a modern audience as they did with the ancient audience.
Think about The Odyssey. Odysseus left Troy and began a ten year journey to return home to Penelope, his one true love. He faced a cyclops, a witch, his men were turned into swine, he navigated his boat and crew past the sirens, and he ventured into the underworld. He was helped and hindered by the gods along the way, but his goal was to return to Penelope.
She faced her own challenges while Odysseus was away. She was beset with suiters who wanted Odysseus’ throne. She had to be cunning to hold off these men because she loved her husband and was faithful to him. She devised a challenge and said she would marry the suitor who could string Odysseus’ bow and then shoot an arrow through a line of twelve hoops. Of course, none could string the bow.
Odysseus, in disguise, met the challenge and then killed the men who took advantage of Penelope and wanted to wed her only for personal gain. With a little help from Athena, the couple was able to have their happy ever after.
Arthurian legends
Greek and Roman hero stories influenced the Medieval romantic court stories of the 12th century. Chivalrous romance developed with stories of legendary kings and knights who performed heroic and extraordinary deeds.
In the Arthurian Legends, Lancelot was one of King Arthur’s most trusted knights. He swore to protect the queen, but the two fell in love. Lancelot defended Guinevere and fought for his country, but he had to reconcile his love for Guinevere with his loyalty to the king.
The Lord of the Rings
Saving others is a heroic act that threads through many fantasy stories. J.R.R. Tolkien has been considered the father of modern fantasy with his epic tale The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien’s stories feature fantastic realms, magical characters, elves, dwarves, and all manner of creatures. There is war, death, magic, and romance. This heroic tale was never categorized as romance, but at the end, Tolkien paired off many of the main characters: Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir and Éowyn, Sam and Rosie, and Éomer and Lothíriel.
Perhaps Tolkien’s motivation was to reinforce the idea that love conquers all. The story proves to the reader that even after challenges, death, and horrible events, it is still possible to have a happy ever after. Fantasy romance authors today, like the authors who came before them, seek to take the reader to a place where there may be challenges and heartache, but there is also hope and the promise of love.
About Cheryl A. Hunter
Cheryl A. Hunter is an author and artist. Her books span multiple genres including contemporary fiction, paranormal fantasy, and nonfiction. Cheryl is also an artist who works in glass, ink and watercolor, and photography. When she is not writing, taking pictures, or creating glass art, she loves to travel. Her interest in Ancient Greek and Roman cultures has taken her to many archaeological sites and museums in several countries.