Not necessarily a writing trope, but a casting trope in fantasy TV/film that always annoyed me: British accent = fantasy accent. It’s not so bad these days, but a lot of 2000s-era fantasy would just have all the actors speak in awfully fake British accents.
That is kind of accurate though if you’re basing the story on history. Like if it’s Robin Hood or King Arthur then the nobles will sound posh and the peasants won’t.
Less of an excuse for it in high fantasy; I guess it’s a quick way to telegraph to the audience who’s who, but you’re definitely right that it reinforces traditional class stereotypes.
Not necessarily a writing trope, but a casting trope in fantasy TV/film that always annoyed me: British accent = fantasy accent. It’s not so bad these days, but a lot of 2000s-era fantasy would just have all the actors speak in awfully fake British accents.
Also, not to mention the more poor and stupid people get, the less posh the accent gets. That’s a very classest thing that I’m sick of.
That is kind of accurate though if you’re basing the story on history. Like if it’s Robin Hood or King Arthur then the nobles will sound posh and the peasants won’t.
Less of an excuse for it in high fantasy; I guess it’s a quick way to telegraph to the audience who’s who, but you’re definitely right that it reinforces traditional class stereotypes.