Language is the spell that is used to create magic in a novel, and I don’t think it needs to sound archaic to work, as long as there is some effort behind it, some mindfulness that’s more than just spitting out the story. I think a lot about “investment” in the language, which is easier for me to pinpoint in film than prose right now. In the LOTR movies, some of the dialog can be considered downright cheesy, when you extract it from its setting and the mouths of the actors. However, everything about the production, including the talent of the actors, is invested in making those words sound and feel exactly right. But compare that to some fantasy that goes on the small screen, where bright eyed, attractive, barely-adult actors are given similarly weighty words which they deliver poorly - or more likely given ordinary words that they attempt to deliver with gravitas - and it just comes off as dumb. (The example that comes most readily to mind is the Shannara series from a few years ago.) I think the same dynamic is true in fantasy fiction - so long as your elements are aligned for the purpose of magic (and not just delivering plot or tropes or whatever) then you can use whatever style you like. Sorry, this is not explained the best - I should probably write my own essay about it with some organization! For book recs, I have an old stained copy of “Fantasists on Fantasy” from 1984 with essays from many of the big names from the time. You might be able to find a copy somewhere!
I think you've explained it well, and yes, I agree about movies and the skill of the actors. Sir Ian McKellen can make any line sound good, mostly because of talent and training, but also because of the largeness of his imagination. He's never "too good" for a role, never seems to look down on his characters or the worlds they inhabit. And the commitment of the production, from director to screenwriter to actors to art design, etc., also plays a big part in maintaining that immersive experience for the audience. LOTR works so well because those filmmakers were COMMITTED to that story and that world. They took it seriously.
Thank you for the book rec! I will check it out. (Looks like there are some used copies out there...)
Language is the spell that is used to create magic in a novel, and I don’t think it needs to sound archaic to work, as long as there is some effort behind it, some mindfulness that’s more than just spitting out the story. I think a lot about “investment” in the language, which is easier for me to pinpoint in film than prose right now. In the LOTR movies, some of the dialog can be considered downright cheesy, when you extract it from its setting and the mouths of the actors. However, everything about the production, including the talent of the actors, is invested in making those words sound and feel exactly right. But compare that to some fantasy that goes on the small screen, where bright eyed, attractive, barely-adult actors are given similarly weighty words which they deliver poorly - or more likely given ordinary words that they attempt to deliver with gravitas - and it just comes off as dumb. (The example that comes most readily to mind is the Shannara series from a few years ago.) I think the same dynamic is true in fantasy fiction - so long as your elements are aligned for the purpose of magic (and not just delivering plot or tropes or whatever) then you can use whatever style you like. Sorry, this is not explained the best - I should probably write my own essay about it with some organization! For book recs, I have an old stained copy of “Fantasists on Fantasy” from 1984 with essays from many of the big names from the time. You might be able to find a copy somewhere!
I think you've explained it well, and yes, I agree about movies and the skill of the actors. Sir Ian McKellen can make any line sound good, mostly because of talent and training, but also because of the largeness of his imagination. He's never "too good" for a role, never seems to look down on his characters or the worlds they inhabit. And the commitment of the production, from director to screenwriter to actors to art design, etc., also plays a big part in maintaining that immersive experience for the audience. LOTR works so well because those filmmakers were COMMITTED to that story and that world. They took it seriously.
Thank you for the book rec! I will check it out. (Looks like there are some used copies out there...)