Micro Report on Heroic Quests (5/3/2013)

For this Micro Report I decided to use pages 156 to 157 in 'The Encyclopedia of Mythology' in relation to the section known as 'Heroic Quests'. I decided to pick this subject as not only have heroic quests stood the test of time and helped shaped the foundations of our modern medium, but it is also one of my favourite genres which will become obvious during the rest of this report.   

The pages themselves talked about a variety of quests including Owain's search for the Castle of the Fountain in which he beat the Black Knight and got married, and Cullhwch's quest that included 39 tasks that the heroes had to complete! The pages also referred to the ideas and themes which make up the definition of a 'heroic quest'.

Heroic quests do not just involve mythological tales however. Stories such as the search for the Holy Grail have helped structure not only recent stories, but have also influenced video games, movies and even the adventures told in the role playing game 'Dungeons and Dragons'. This is definitely true as the foundation for heroic quests is similar to the hero's journey. For example, the adventurer/s will accept a quest (sometimes willingly, sometimes not), meet people who may or may not be a hindrance to them before finally reaching the climax of the story in which the hero/s may or may not resolve their quest.

I strongly agree with a quote from the Encyclopedia which stated "Whatever the goal, the quest usually takes on a magic of its own, leading the hero down unexpected bypaths of adventure and discovery." (Cotterell, 1996, p. 156). This is definitely true as there is a sort of 'magic' to be had in the adventure genre. For example, even though the hero has a primary goal they will often meet new comrades and fulfil tasks for others that may be considered trivial side quests compared to the main quest e.g. the search for the Holy Grail. These side quests however may provide the hero with either an item or information that will prove useful in their main quest. Sometimes it is not even the original goal that the hero is rewarded with, sometimes it is the lessons learned and the friends made that is the true reward, a journey of discovery, enlightenment and change of character if you will.

The idea of a quest in order to find something is identical to a video game or a game of 'Dungeons and Dragons' as the players are given an overall goal, but it is the allies they meet and the tasks they complete that are similar to side quests which the players can choose to accept or not. Sometimes the player/s may want to focus on the overall goal, but by doing these side tasks they set themselves up with rewards and the satisfaction similar to those that the heroes would have received in mythological stories of the past.

Harvard Referencing: 

• Burne-Jones, E, D. (1890-4) 'The Aiming and Departure of the Knights of the Round Table and the Quest for the Holy Grail' Painting [Online image]. Available at: http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/articles/they-shook-me (Accessed: 5/3/2013).
• Cotterell, A. (1996) The Encyclopedia of Mythology, London: Anness Publishing Limited.
• Unknown. (2010) 'Dungeons and Dragons' heroes [Online image]. Available at: http://my.mmosite.com/2425229/blog/item/c4d5e6eb6e9f07cbfecb4d4b19f7421b.html (Accessed: 5/3/2013).