Magical Quest Plotlines Magical quest plotlines are a popular theme in literature, movies, and other forms of media. They often revolve around a central protagonist who embarks on a journey filled with magic, adventure, and self-discovery. These plotlines captivate audiences of all ages and have remained a beloved storytelling trope for centuries. The main idea behind magical quest plotlines is the concept of a hero's journey. The hero, usually an ordinary individual, is called upon to face extraordinary challenges and overcome them through courage, resourcefulness, and often the assistance of magical elements or beings. These quests take the hero to fantastical realms, mythical creatures, and obscure magical artifacts that hold the key to their success.
Now come the final tests of our heroes. Often these come in sets of three, like in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Usually our main hero is the only one who can complete the final test. Success! And then our intrepid band of heroes (or just one hero, in case everyone else is dead) makes an amazing escape from death, either by running away or by killing whatever bad guys are left.
Obstacles come in several flavors, like monsters kill escape, rinse, repeat , temptations see a good portion of the Odyssey for examples , a rock and a hard place Scylla and Charybdis being the classic example , or a journey to the underworld. Featuring six different levels with four different special outfits it stars Mickey Mouse on his journey to save his dog Pluto, who was dognapped by the emperor Pete during a game of catch with his friends Donald Duck and Goofy.
These quests take the hero to fantastical realms, mythical creatures, and obscure magical artifacts that hold the key to their success. In these plotlines, magic serves as both a driving force and a tool for character development. The hero must learn to harness their own latent magical abilities or obtain magical items to defeat powerful adversaries or overcome obstacles.
Basic Plots: Quest
Ciao, SEers. Today we’re going to discuss our fifth of the Seven Basic Plots as defined by Christopher Booker. If you’ve missed the others, you can find them here: Rebirth, Tragedy, Comedy, and Voyage and Return.
Today’s post covers the basic plot type: Quest.
The Quest is a familiar plot type. It shows our hero (and friends) taking a journey to a far-off place in order to achieve an object or a goal. There must be many dangers along the way (it wouldn’t be much of a quest if the goal was easy to attain), but ultimately, victory is achieved.
The Quest, unlike the Voyage and Return, always ends with the hero achieving his goal, even if it takes the scope of several books or movies to do so. (It’s worth noting that achieving a goal DOES NOT necessarily equate to a happy, or successful, outcome.)
The following is a list of Quest storylines:
- Lord of the Rings
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Odyssey
- Around the World in Eighty Days
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Here is the basic template for writing a Quest. I’ll use Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as my example.
- The Call
This is the part of the story where the hero is given his task. Stakes are high, and victory can’t be achieved by any other means.
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore insists Harry should have special instruction this year—by him—which will help them with their mission to defeat Voldemort’s. Ultimately, they seek horcruxes. The stakes are high—horcruxes are the key to defeating the Dark Lord. - The Journey
The process to achieve the goal is a difficult one. For every step forward, it seems the hero takes two steps back.
Harry’s setbacks begin even before he goes to the cave. He has trouble retrieving the memory Dumbledore needs. He battles with Draco Malfoy. Ron almost dies. Often as he tries to solve one of these issues, he fails. Even when he finally does conquer the problem, another arises. - Arrival and Frustration
This is where the hero arrives at his destination. Things aren’t so simple, though. There are still ordeals to overcome before he achieves his goal.
Harry and Dumbledore reach the cave. But there are so many more trials to their ordeal. Blood must be sacrificed to open the cave mouth. Magic is needed to summon the boat. - Final Ordeal
At last, the hero has their goal in sight. This is where the ultimate test occurs. (This is often, but doesn’t have to be, a set of three tasks.)
Torture and horrors await as they drain the basin. Harry must find water to help his mentor. Inferi rise from the depths of the lake to stop them. - The Goal
The goal is now met. Something is retrieved or destroyed or acquired. Success is achieved. Remember, though—just because the quest is over (and successful) doesn’t mean a happy ending.
Harry and Dumbledore take the locket back to Hogwarts. A whole other series of problems await them there. But when Harry is finally able to analyze the locket, he discovers it isn’t what’s he was looking for at all. He did, indeed, achieve his goal of retrieving the object, but it wasn’t the object he had hoped. And it comes at considerable cost. (It is worth noting that his quest continues in book seven, but the results there would require a whole other post to analyze.)
Quests are among the most popular of stories because they are epic tales of heroes overcoming challenges, often in exotic locales and against seemingly insurmountable odds. Who doesn’t root for a hero, especially if he’s an underdog?
Have you written a quest? Do you have a favorite quest story or author who writes them? (I already know a few popular stories that are going to be mentioned, but shout them out, anyway.) Let’s talk about it below.
Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck are playing catch in the park. When it is Goofy's turn to throw the ball, he accidentally throws it too far. Pluto runs off chasing the ball and Goofy runs after Pluto, leaving Mickey alone. Mickey goes searching for his friends after a while, but falls down a cliff into a strange magical land. Later, Mickey meets an old wizard who tells Mickey that Pluto was taken by the Emperor Pete. Mickey sets out to find his friend and stop Pete's tyranny. He eventually rescues Pluto, but in that moment Mickey wakes up in his bed, revealing that the events of the game were just a dream, and Donald suggests they play another game of catch. Mickey happily agrees and he, his friends, and Pluto all live happily ever after.
This requirement not only adds an element of mystery and wonder but also allows the hero to grow and mature throughout their quest. Moreover, magical quest plotlines often incorporate themes of friendship, loyalty, and the battle between good and evil. The hero is often joined by a diverse cast of allies who provide support, guidance, and unique contributions to the journey. Through these relationships, the hero learns valuable lessons about trust, teamwork, and the power of unity. The success of magical quest plotlines lies in their ability to transport audiences to imaginative and enchanting worlds. They allow readers and viewers to escape the constraints of reality and immerse themselves in a realm where anything is possible. These tales inspire wonder, spark the imagination, and ignite a sense of adventure in the hearts of those who experience them. In conclusion, magical quest plotlines are a captivating storytelling trope that has endured throughout history. They take readers and viewers on thrilling journeys filled with magic, adventure, and self-discovery. The main idea behind these plotlines is the hero's journey, where ordinary individuals are called upon to face extraordinary challenges using their own magic and the assistance of others. These tales inspire wonder, teach valuable life lessons, and transport audiences to fantastical worlds where imagination knows no bounds..
Reviews for "From Dragons to Wizards: Iconic Elements of Magical Quest Plotlines"
1. John - 2 stars - I found the magical quest plotlines to be completely unrealistic and predictable. They seem to follow the same formula every time - a protagonist with magical powers who embarks on a quest to defeat an evil force. It's become so repetitive and lacks originality. I prefer more grounded and character-driven storylines that I can relate to. These magical quests just don't cut it for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't stand the magical quest plotlines in this book. They were so overdone and cliché. It felt like the author took elements from every fantasy book and mashed them together without any real thought or creativity. The plot twists were predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. I was hoping for a more unique and engaging story, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Robert - 2 stars - The magical quest plotlines in this book were too fantastical for my taste. I prefer stories that are rooted in reality and have a sense of believability. The constant reliance on magic and the endless obstacles the characters face just didn't resonate with me. I found it difficult to connect with the storyline and found myself losing interest quickly. If you're not a fan of overly whimsical and magical plots, this book might not be for you.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - While I appreciate the creativity behind the magical quest plotlines, I personally found them too far-fetched and hard to follow. The constant introduction of new magical elements and creatures left me feeling overwhelmed and confused. I prefer more straightforward narratives that are easier to follow and understand. The abundance of magic in this book made it difficult for me to fully grasp the plot, and as a result, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped.