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Magic in fiction is the endowment ofcharacters or objects in works offiction orfantasy with powers that do not naturally occur in the real world.Magic often serves as aplot device and has long been a component of fiction.
Historically, witches such as theWeird Sisters inWilliam Shakespeare'sMacbeth, wizards such asProspero inThe Tempest or characters likeDoctor Faustus inChristopher Marlowe'splay of the same name were widely considered to be real.[1]: 1027 Contemporary authors tend to treat magic as an imaginary idea, opting tobuild their worlds with ablank slate where the laws of reality do not carry as much weight.[1]: 1027
Within a work of fantasy, magic can help to advance the plot, often providing power to heroes or to their opponents. The use of magic frequently manifests itself in atransformation of a character, if not the transformation of the fictional world.[2]: 143
For magic to carry out its functions, it often comes at a price equal to its value.[3][need quotation to verify]: 143
Fictional magic may or may not include a detailedmagic system, but it is not uncommon for authors to omit details or explanations of certain limitations, ostensibly forpacing or other purposes; in these cases, it is possible that magic serves more as a convenience to the author rather than as a device for the character.[4]
In nearly any given fantasy magical system, magical ability is limited. Limitations can add conflict to the story and prevent characters from becoming all-powerful with magic, although characters with unlimited power (such asdeities or transcendental beings) are not unheard of in fiction.[1]: 616 Fantasy writers use a variety of techniques to limit the magic in their stories,[5] such as limiting the number of spells a character has or may cast before needing rest,[5] restricting a character's magic to the use of a specific object,[5] limiting magic to the use of certain rare materials,[6] or restricting the magic a character can use through its negative consequences.[5] Some works feature magic that is performed through the use of certain words or incantations to cast spells.[citation needed] While many works use this method without offering an explanation for it, others do offer an explanation.[2]: 134 [3]: 167–168
Hard magic is a magic system with specific rules and regulations; asoft magic system is usually much more vague and undefined with a mysterious aspect to it.
Authors introduce magic into their stories, and to their characters, in varying ways. Although there is great variation in how spontaneously magic occurs, how difficult it is to wield, and how the guidelines to the magic are implemented, there are a handful of methods for introducing magic found in many fictional works. In many[quantify] fantasy works, writers depict magic as an innate talent, equivalent for example to perfect pitch.[1]: 616 Magic may also be gained through apact with a devil or with other spirits, a characteristic common in folklore.[7]
In some works, such asfairy tales,magic items either endow the main characters with magical powers or have magical powers themselves. Writers often use them as plot devices orMacGuffins to drive the plot of a story.[8][page needed]
Wands and staves often feature in fantasy works in the hands of wizards.[9]Italian fairy tales had put wands into the hands of the powerful fairies by the late Middle Ages.[10]
Talismans such as rings oramulets may exert magical influence.[11]Seven-league boots andinvisibility cloaks have also proven popular.
