a few more, and an analysissenex_barbatusSeptember 26 2006, 15:23:32 UTC
From A Song of Ice and Fire- Tyrion and Jaime Lannister, while not heroes, do become sympathetic characters. Both of them qualify as Lawful Evil. Maybe a little off-topic, but related.
Asimov's Foundation series is all about maintaining a seed of order and structure in the midst of chaos.
Dwarves, whether Thorin at Lonely Mountain, Balin at Moria, or Bruenor at Mithril Hall, always seem to be working to restore their patrimony and with it their honor. (Foolish Dwarves.)
The protagonists of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's "Star of the Guardians" series similarly sought to re-establish their hereditary (and legitimate) throne.
Overall, yes, the protagonists of modern Fantasy and Sci-fi books have a tendency towards chaotic alignments. I would guess that this reflects a desire common to most people to break free of what they see as the shackles of their daily drudgery. Simple vicarious wish fulfillment. If we lived in a less pacified, more primative society where we lived in greater fear of harm, (as in many historical cultures) our fantasy literature would focus on heroes who established dynasties, who subdued nature, who held back the hordes of chaos for the benefit of the people (as in much traditional mythology). The current Fantasy tilt towards chaos is not inherent in the broader genre of fantastic/mythological fiction, but is tied to the specific culture that is producing it. I'd like to read some Somalian or Zaireian fantasy lit and see how they portray law vs. chaos.
Tyrion and Jaime Lannister, while not heroes, do become sympathetic characters. Both of them qualify as Lawful Evil. Maybe a little off-topic, but related.
Asimov's Foundation series is all about maintaining a seed of order and structure in the midst of chaos.
Dwarves, whether Thorin at Lonely Mountain, Balin at Moria, or Bruenor at Mithril Hall, always seem to be working to restore their patrimony and with it their honor. (Foolish Dwarves.)
The protagonists of Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's "Star of the Guardians" series similarly sought to re-establish their hereditary (and legitimate) throne.
Overall, yes, the protagonists of modern Fantasy and Sci-fi books have a tendency towards chaotic alignments. I would guess that this reflects a desire common to most people to break free of what they see as the shackles of their daily drudgery. Simple vicarious wish fulfillment. If we lived in a less pacified, more primative society where we lived in greater fear of harm, (as in many historical cultures) our fantasy literature would focus on heroes who established dynasties, who subdued nature, who held back the hordes of chaos for the benefit of the people (as in much traditional mythology). The current Fantasy tilt towards chaos is not inherent in the broader genre of fantastic/mythological fiction, but is tied to the specific culture that is producing it. I'd like to read some Somalian or Zaireian fantasy lit and see how they portray law vs. chaos.
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