Violence, Fiction and Existentialism. A Comparative Definition of Grimdark Epic Fantasy

Abstract

This article delves into the meaning of grimdark epic fantasy through its narrative development and its place in literature. To accomplish this goal, we propose three concepts after a preliminary review to structure this literary movement: violence, fiction, and existentialism. In search of possible relationships between these ideas, they are presented in a Venn diagram within a contemporary socio-temporal context; as a result, existentialist novels, literature of violence, or the vital journey will stand out as points of contact between the original ideas. From these conclusions, grimdark will be defined as a movement (not only) in literature, comparable to Spanish tremendismo and related to other fantasy subgenres, such as dark fantasy. Additionally, we will briefly analyze the alterations that grimdark causes in essential narrative elements of epic fantasy, such as characters and narrative space.