The elements of a legend are the characters, the plot, the plot, and the setting. Legend is a particular type of narrative text that takes unverifiable events from the ancient history of a specific place.
For this reason, there can always be certain supernatural or inexplicable aspects that give fantastic elements to this type of narrative.
The main characteristic of the legends is that they start from a pretense of veracity. This peculiarity differentiates them from other genres.
That is, the legends are based on the belief that what is told actually happened at some point.
To emphasize this idea, the legends use a series of elements that allow them to be effective in their intention.
The 4 main elements of legends
1- Characters
As in any narrative text, the characters play a primary role in the legends.
These are in charge of carrying out the actions that trigger the events of the story.
Legends usually feature a hero who manages to overcome adversity or threats with the help of various extraordinary companions or divine characters.
Usually these heroes are based on real beings whose exploits have been exaggerated by people over time.
The number of characters is usually not very large. In addition to villains who oppose the hero, friends can also be found to help him on his adventures.
There may also be characters who are inanimate objects and play an important role in the development of the plot.
For example, in the case of the legend of King Arthur, the sword Excalibur is central to the events that are narrated.
2- Plot
The plot of the legends often reflects the beliefs, customs and values of a community. In this sense, they try to portray human strengths, virtues, weaknesses and defects.
So it is not uncommon for them to function as a story with a moral focus or to allow the transmission of a moral.
The wonderful or fantastic component can also be present, either through supernatural events or some exaggeration of the facts.
This generates admiration and amazement in the recipients and guarantees the maintenance and multiplication of the legend through the generations.
3- Argument
The storyline of the legends has to be filled with many exciting and surprising events.
Its main intention is to take the characters through adverse situations so that they overcome them.
The hero must face all kinds of setbacks to overcome them and thus fulfill his inexorable destiny. There is no fixed structure and it allows it to change over time.
4- Environment
The legends are circumscribed to a certain place. Although common stories can be found from different places, geography defines the hero and proposes a way to explain his actions.
In the case of time, legends are always set in the past, a glorious and prosperous past.
By not having a single model, events evolve and change in order to seek the pleasure of the new recipients of the closest times and to keep the stories exciting, fresh and alive.
References
- Barrios, Yuranys (2014). Legend elements. Retrieved on November 13, 2017 at prezi.com
- Characteristics of the legend. Retrieved on November 13, 2017 at queesunaleyenda.com
- Characteristics Of Legend. Retrieved on November 13, 2017 at npsd.k12.nj.us.
- Sweetland, Robert. Myth and Legend - description of story elements and quality characteristics. Retrieved on November 13, 2017 at homeofbob.com
- White, Jessica. Stylistic Elements of a Legend. Retrieved on November 13, 2017 at penandthepad.com