Legend

Introduction

A legend is a narrative literary device that tells a tale rooted in historical fact but embellished with mythical or fantastical elements. Legends often focus on heroic figures or significant events and are passed down through generations, gaining cultural significance. Unlike pure myths, which deal with gods, supernatural beings, or origins of a culture, legends are generally grounded in reality but are elevated to a larger-than-life status through storytelling. They serve to entertain, teach moral lessons, and strengthen the cultural identity within a community by linking the past with the present through memorable narratives.

Pronunciation: ‘le-jənd

When do writers use Legend literary device?

Writers use the legend literary device to enrich their narratives by incorporating depth and a sense of antiquity. Legends are especially useful in providing backstories for characters or settings, thereby adding layers of complexity and historical weight. This device is often employed to connect the readers with traditional values, beliefs, and the struggles of forebears. It can also be used to introduce iconic characters whose legendary actions have shaped the world within the story. In modern literature, using legends can bridge the gap between the ancient and the contemporary, appealing to a sense of nostalgia while offering insights into the human condition.

How should I use Legend literary device?

When incorporating legends into your writing, consider these guidelines to ensure they enhance your narrative effectively:

1. Contextual Relevance: Make sure the legend is relevant to the plot or themes of your story. It should add depth or insight that is integral to understanding characters or conflicts.
2. Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of the cultural origin of the legend you are using. Respect and authenticity are key, especially when dealing with legends from cultures other than your own.
3. Balance Fact and Fiction: While legends often include fantastical elements, they are rooted in some truth. Maintain a balance that keeps the story believable within its setting.
4. Use as Symbolism: Legends are powerful symbols and can be used to represent broader themes or messages in your story. They can symbolize moral truths, societal struggles, or enduring values.
5. Enhance Narrative Depth: Integrate legends in a way that deepens the narrative, providing historical context or explaining motivations that are central to character development or plot progression.

By following these rules, you can effectively utilize legends to add richness and texture to your storytelling, engaging your readers with both the familiar and the marvelous.

Types of Legend

Legends can be broadly categorized into several types, each serving different narrative purposes and cultural functions:

1. Historical Legends: These focus on real historical figures or events but are embellished with fictional details that highlight the subject’s heroic qualities or moral dilemmas. Examples include tales about national heroes or significant historical events.
2. Urban Legends: Modern folklore that often explains mysterious phenomena or warns against modern dangers. Urban legends are typically set in contemporary settings and are passed around as true stories, despite their often dubious veracity.
3. Supernatural Legends: Involve elements of the supernatural or fantastic, featuring creatures, spirits, or unexplained occurrences. These often serve to explain natural phenomena or cultural mysteries through a fantastical narrative.
4. Religious Legends: These are narratives that are linked to religious beliefs or texts but are not strictly canonical. They often provide background to sacred figures or miraculous events and are used to inspire faith or convey moral lessons.
5. Cultural Legends: Focus on tales that are central to a particular cultural or ethnic group, often encapsulating core values, traditional beliefs, and important historical narratives of that group.

Legend in Literature

Legends have been a rich source of inspiration in literature, providing depth and context to narratives across genres. Some famous examples include:

1. “King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table” – A quintessential collection of British legends revolving around King Arthur, his knights, and the quest for the Holy Grail.
2. “Robin Hood” – The tales of Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor, are legendary in English folklore and have been adapted into numerous literary works.
3. “The Legend of Faust” – A German legend that tells the story of Faust, who makes a pact with the Devil for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasures.
4. “Beowulf” – An epic poem that is one of the most important works of Old English literature, featuring the hero Beowulf who fights monsters and dragons.

Legend in Children’s Books

Legends are also prevalent in children’s literature, often simplified or adapted to teach lessons or entertain young readers. Famous examples include:

1. “The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish” by Alexander Pushkin – A poetic legend about a fisherman who catches a magical fish that can grant wishes.
2. “Arthur: High King of Britain” by Michael Morpurgo – A retelling of the Arthurian legends aimed at young readers, exploring themes of bravery and leadership.
3. “Saint George and the Dragon” retold by Margaret Hodges – An adaptation of the legend of Saint George, who slays a dragon and saves a princess, crafted for children.

Legend in Poetry

Poetry often utilizes legends to explore complex themes through concise and powerful language. Notable examples include:

1. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge – A poetic legend involving a sailor who faces dire consequences for his actions at sea, blending supernatural elements with moral storytelling.
2. “Tam Lin” – A Scottish ballad that recounts the legend of Tam Lin, a man captured by fairies and rescued by his true love, Janet.
3. “La Belle Dame sans Merci” by John Keats – A poetic legend that tells of a knight enchanted by a mysterious and beautiful lady, encapsulating themes of love, allure, and sorrow.

Legends in poetry often serve to evoke emotions and ponder moral or existential questions, utilizing the legendary framework to add depth and resonance to the poetic narrative.

Legend in Songs

Songs often incorporate legends either by retelling classical tales or by creating new ones that might become legendary in their own right. Here are ten famous examples:

1. “The Legend of John Henry’s Hammer” by Johnny Cash – A song about the legendary steel-driving man who raced against a steam-powered hammer.
2. “Hurricane” by Bob Dylan – This song tells the real-life story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, elevating his story to legendary status.
3. “Stagger Lee” by Lloyd Price – Based on the American folk song that narrates the story of the murder of Billy Lyons by “Stag” Lee Shelton in 1895.
4. “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” by Bill Hayes – A song that contributed to the folk hero status of Davy Crockett, highlighting his adventures and exploits.
5. “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean – This song tells the tale of a heroic miner who saves his fellow workers during a mine collapse.
6. “Casey Jones” by The Grateful Dead – A song about the legendary railroad engineer known for his speed who died in a train wreck.
7. “The Ballad of Jesse James” by Bruce Springsteen – Retells the life of the infamous outlaw Jesse James, painting him in a mythical light.
8. “Ghost Riders in the Sky” by Johnny Cash – A song depicting the legend of ghostly cowboys chasing the devil’s cattle across the sky.
9. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot – Chronicles the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975, turning a real event into a legend.
10. “El Paso” by Marty Robbins – A ballad that tells a story of love and tragedy in the old West, echoing traditional frontier legends.

Legend in Movies

Movies often draw upon legends for storytelling, either adapting traditional tales or crafting new legendary narratives. Here are some famous examples:

1. “Excalibur” (1981) – Based on Arthurian legends, this film explores the tumultuous reign of King Arthur and the quest for the Holy Grail.
2. “Braveheart” (1995) – A historical epic based on the life of Scottish hero William Wallace and his struggle against English rule.
3. “Troy” (2004) – Draws from the legendary tales of the Trojan War, focusing on characters like Achilles and Hector.
4. “Robin Hood” (2010) – Depicts the legend of Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor in medieval England.
5. “The Legend of Hercules” (2014) – Tells the mythical story of Hercules and his adventures.
6. “Beowulf” (2007) – An animated adaptation of the legendary epic poem, recounting Beowulf’s heroic battles against monsters.
7. “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword” (2017) – A stylized retelling of the rise of King Arthur and his confrontation with his uncle Vortigern.
8. “Mulan” (1998 & 2020) – Based on the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, who disguised herself as a man to take her father’s place in the army.
9. “I Am Legend” (2007) – Although more of a post-apocalyptic science fiction, it borrows the concept of a legendary sole survivor navigating a world overrun by mutants.
10. “The Mummy” (1999) – Revolves around the legendary figures of ancient Egyptian mythology and a cursed mummy’s resurrection.

Famous movie line highlighting Legend

“One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

YouTube Link Demonstrating Legend

Watch “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” – One Ring to Rule Them All

Legend in Advertising

Legends in advertising often use storytelling to create memorable campaigns that resonate deeply with audiences. Here are some examples:

1. Apple’s “1984” Commercial – This legendary commercial introduced the Apple Macintosh computer, drawing on the dystopian future portrayed in George Orwell’s novel “1984”.
2. Dos Equis’ “The Most Interesting Man in the World” – A campaign that created a legendary figure whose outrageous and humorous escapades captured viewers’ imaginations.
3. Nike’s “Just Do It” Campaign featuring Michael Jordan – While not a traditional legend, this campaign elevated Michael Jordan to legendary status in the sports world.
4. Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” – A campaign that crafts a legendary and idealized figure who is comically over-the-top in his abilities and appeal.
5. Budweiser’s “Wassup?” Campaign – Became legendary for its catchphrase and its portrayal of friends enjoying a simple phone conversation over Budweiser beers.

Legend-related Literary Devices

1. Mythopoeia: Creating a fictional mythology within a literary work, similar to how J.R.R. Tolkien developed Middle-earth’s legends.
2. Allegory: Utilizing symbolic figures and actions to represent truths or generalizations about human existence; often used in legends to impart deeper moral or spiritual lessons.
3. Epic: A lengthy narrative poem, often derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures.
4. Symbolism: Using symbols to signify ideas and qualities by giving them symbolic meanings that are different from their literal sense. Legends often employ symbolism to enrich the narrative layers.
5. Archetype: A recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology. Legends frequently revolve around archetypal characters like the hero, the mentor, or the shadow, representing universal patterns of human nature.