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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12022-The-Barbarian.html
Fantasy: June 21, 2023 Issue [#12022]




 This week: The Barbarian
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split." - Robert E. Howard

"Anyone can admire creation. Only a barbarian sees the beauty in demolition." - Kamahl

"Civilization is the lamb's skin in which barbarism masquerades." - Thomas Bailey Aldrich


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Letter from the editor

The Barbarian


The original, ancient Greek, meaning of barbarian meant "foreign" or "non-Greek." Similar to the current day use of the word "alien" that is used to describe people from other countries or other worlds. The word itself was what the ancient Greeks heard when they interacted with foreigners. The foreigners' languages sounded like burbarburbar to the Greeks, hence: barbarians.

The modern understanding of the word barbarian describes an uncivilized and cruel savage. This makes the barbarian character fit neatly into the typical medieval environments of contemporary fantasy. Free from the constraints of civilization, the barbarian appeals to readers because he represents a simple life. Living in nature, with nature, but not in an animal state.

Conan the Barbarian is likely the most famous of that type. Created in 1931 by Robert E. Howard, Conan started out in pulp magazines and has appeared in many stories by other authors since. Conan broke into the modern mainstream through several movies and TV shows from the 1980s through today. Conan the Barbarian is a good example of this archetype as he is modeled on a Celt or Indo-European, which were the kind of people the ancient Greeks didn't understand.

In fantasy stories, the barbarian can serve many purposes:

*Bullet* The noble savage.
*Bullet* A person who lives wild in nature.
*Bullet* Giving a contrast to the decadent and corrupted civilized people.
*Bullet* Depicting heroism that reflects loyalty to a tribe and a deep-seated sense of justice.

The barbarian is an appealing character as he fits neatly into the simple, medieval life of fantasy stories. He provides easy escapism because he has a strong moral code and always chooses to do right in the end. The barbarian simplifies the notions of good and evil. He will either come to raid a town. Or he will crush an army of invaders. Or he will remind those in political power that they are just one barbarian's bad day away from losing everything.

Negatives of the barbarian archetype is that he can be misused to represent the "Other" in the worst way. Because of the barbarian's quick temper and selfish ways, he is easy to misunderstand. The language barrier further serves to keep the barbarian in the bad guy role.

Who is your favorite barbarian? Have you created one?


Editor's Picks

The Cage Open in new Window. (ASR)
What's more dangerous than a trapped barbarian?
#888878 by Robert Waltz Author IconMail Icon

 Roman & Barbarian Open in new Window. (13+)
Story from time of the Roman legions
#2235173 by LightinMind Author IconMail Icon

 Elves, Barbarians, and Dragons...Oh My! Open in new Window. (E)
Part 4 of the On Dragons Wings saga, introducing some new oddballs
#2259818 by Author Joseph J. Madden Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1980078 by Not Available.

 A New Addition Open in new Window. (E)
Maira, a barbarian giantess, finds a small child in the middle of a horrific battlefield.
#1950109 by Alex Arki Author IconMail Icon

GROUP
Flights of Fantasy Group Open in new Window. (18+)
A group for writers of fantasy stories and poetry
#2295322 by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon

 The Forbidden Zone Open in new Window. (ASR)
Welcome to . . . The Twilight -- oh, wait! Wrong world! ;D
#616201 by KC under the midnight sun Author IconMail Icon

 The Barbarian Chronicles Open in new Window. (ASR)
Mendax the Tusk, of the Wolf Tribe (witness the beginning)
#706201 by mithrandir Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Fantasy newsletter "The Mythic WarriorOpen in new Window. that asked Do you prefer the classic white, male mythic warrior or do you like to see the archetype modernized?

Sir Various Author Icon wrote: Thank you for including one of my older stories in your article. I’m happy they still get noticed. Solid article, keep up the good work.
Sir Various

Thank you for reading my newsletter and sending in such a nice comment.

BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon wrote: In one series I've been writing, I have what is, basically, a tribal chieftain that was made a slave. He seeks freedom for the slaves owned by his Master. Thing is, getting freedom isn't as simple leading a rebellion. This is because, on the day out Chieftain was caught, he and his (eventual) Master were in a situation where, due to reasons - pragmatism or honor, or just plain preservation, they had to fight a common foe, and ended up saving each other's lives - the Chieftain saving the Master in order to protect their own family, and the Master doing so out of a debt of honor, and, in a way, to save his own family.

Does the Chieftain get his freedom after that?

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