Dealing with Fantasy Emotions: Understanding and Perspective

Are you familiar with any creatures from mythology, biblical stories, or even Dungeons and Dragons that make you feel emotions besides fear? I am talking about sadness, happiness, grief, jealousy, and other feelings. Let's delve into these emotions and explore the context behind them in the context of fictional characters and stories.

Real Emotions in Unreal Worlds

Dave Duncan’s “Cursed” has characters like those mentioned in the original text, with the ability to feel emotions like sadness, happiness, grief, and jealousy. One example is the Greek god Glaucus, who, despite being a god, exhibited behavior more akin to a decent human being. When encountered by a lost fisherman, he provided directions, thanked the fisherman for a promise to build a shrine, and expressed gratitude. Such an interaction is not every day, and it adds a layer of depth to our understanding of mythological and biblical characters.

The Emotions of Mythological and Literary Characters

There is a distinction between empathy towards mythological and biblical figures like Jesus and other characters who may evoke jealousy, grief, or happiness. While there is a place for certain emotions, such as respect and awe, towards figures like Jesus, the notion of jealousy in this context is less clear. It does not serve a healthy purpose to feel jealousy towards divine or mythological figures. Instead, it is more meaningful to feel these emotions towards characters from made-up stories and fictional universes.

The Universe of Fictional Characters

Beowulf, The Odyssey, The Iliad, Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare, T.H. White, William Faulkner, and Mark Twain provide a rich tapestry of made-up characters that have influenced countless stories and emotions. Animal Farm touches on beings that resemble creatures but are more allegorical in nature.

Characters in these works, such as Glaucus and the Nidagrisur, evoke a range of emotions and fascinating stories. The Nidagrisur, for instance, are spirits of children who died before receiving a name in ancient Germanic religions. They are known to lead people astray in Scandinavian folklore. To get rid of them, one must give them a name, at which point they can rest in peace. This narrative highlights the emotional impact of such characters and stories.

The Reality of Fantasy

By definition, mythological and biblical creatures do not exist. Therefore, it is challenging to be "familiar with" them in the same way one is familiar with real people or events. However, one can be familiar with the characteristics attributed to them in stories. So, why should anyone have an emotional reaction to these fantasies if they are not real?

One can watch a movie, for example, and suspend their judgment to accept a scenario for the purposes of the plot. Similarly, one can accept a premise for the purposes of an argument. However, recognizing that these are not real scenarios should be a conscious action or a rational behavior. If someone is presented with a "not real" premise or scenario, they should ideally presume that the intention is to manipulate.

Manipulation and Emotional Reactions

Being manipulated is not necessarily a negative experience, but it is wise to recognize it. If a fantasy scenario is presented with the intention to manipulate, why would one allow themselves to be manipulated in a significant way? It is essential to maintain rationality and skepticism, especially when emotions are involved.

In conclusion, the emotions we feel towards fictional characters and stories like Glaucus or the Nidagrisur are a testament to the richness of human imagination and storytelling. Understanding these emotions and their sources can help us appreciate the universality of these experiences while maintaining a healthy perspective on the reality of the characters and settings within these stories.