At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
It's a staple in certain kinds of fantasy. The Law of Names. (You'll have to scroll down a bit to find it.) Knowing a creature's true name gives you power over it. So...
What if our names had power over us? (It would probably have to be our full and complete name, but I'll leave that up to you.)
It would be interesting; I would hope that my name would be something powerful for good rather than evil.
ReplyDeletebetty
Well, that would depend, wouldn't it? On who was using it.
DeleteIf my full and complete name had power over me, you better believe I'd be burying that secret pretty deep.
ReplyDeleteI'd be Alexander the Great!
ReplyDeleteThat would be intetesting. People could use our names against us, hurt us. Yikes.
ReplyDeleteYup...
DeleteMy real name Miroslav means the one who carries the name of piece
ReplyDeleteDon't they already? I mean, who doesn't jump in fear when someone (especially their mother) yells their full name? I guess it's just a different kind of power.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want anybody having power over me just for knowing my name!
ReplyDeleteAnd yet that's just what happens to fairies. Or some other fantasy creature. I forget which.
DeleteWell, I don't know about the last name but I have found the meaning to my name when I was in Germany and Austria. It means strength of will and protector. People who know me says this is perfect so I will take that as a super power
ReplyDeleteMy name isn't the most common. Maybe no one I don't know would guess it. As for those who know it - I would have power over them, too. What a mess. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteThat's a point...we would know those that know our names. Maybe...
DeleteHmmm interesting. I guess in a way though you could say it is true in these days. Stealing someone's identity or how most of us know full name treatment means you're in deep trouble with a parental unit. Even at 30+ I know when my mom pulls out the full name she's not pleased. lol Different sorts of power but power none the less...
ReplyDelete