[A Guestpost by Larry Kollar / Image by JohnnySlowHand]
(Disclaimer: as a writer, I do understand that “apocalypse” is actually a revelation, but for this article I will adopt its common meaning of an all-encompassing disaster.)
(Disclaimer: as a writer, I do understand that “apocalypse” is actually a revelation, but for this article I will adopt its common meaning of an all-encompassing disaster.)
Many classic fantasy tales have a post-apocalyptic element.
Of course, as for most Western-based fantasy tropes, Tolkien is the
standard-setter. (Tolkien’s ages of Middle-Earth parallel Greek
mythology, which named the four Ages of Man: Golden, Silver, Bronze, and
Iron. I’m guessing, given his background, that this was deliberate.)
The backdrop for Lord of the Rings includes two former ages, each
ended by their own apocalypse. The end of the First (Golden) Age, when
Morgoth was defeated, was accompanied by great destruction—it was said
the lands were broken, and Beleriand began to sink into the sea. The
Second (Silver) Age ended with Númenor sinking into the sea, and the
formerly flat world being made round.
