Literature Atlas

How Stories Are Told
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Genre

Legend

Epic and Heroic Narrative

A legend is a genre of folklore consisting of a narrative featuring human actions believed or perceived to have taken place in human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values and possess qualities that give the tale verisimilitude, and for their participants a legend may include miracles; legends may also be transformed over time to keep them fresh and vital.

Facts
Partially Attested
Notable Example
Legenda Aurea (The Golden Legend) by Jacobus de Voragine 1
Cited as a written legend collection in the original sense of the term; the source also characterizes it as hagiography.
Defining Trait
Narrative featuring human actions believed or perceived to have taken place in human history 1
Sources
1. Legend - Wikipedia
  • Related concepts
    Jacobus de Voragine's Legenda Aurea or "The Golden Legend" comprises a series of vitae
  • Lead, sentence 1
    a narrative featuring human actions, believed or perceived to have taken place in human history
View the Source
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.