6 Enchanted Forests from Famous Literature
A place of magic, heroism, and danger, enchanted forests have a long literary history
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Throughout millennia, the Enchanted Forest has appeared in countless tales of heroism and magic. It’s one of the oldest tropes in storytelling; a place where danger, opportunity, and fantasy intertwine.
Why are writers so captivated by the idea of the Enchanted Forest? Very often the forest illustrates the hero’s transformation; in the forest they lose their way, they are forced to face hard truths about themselves or their world, or they are tested for their strength of character. Ultimately the hero emerges from the forest stronger and wiser than before, ready to continue their adventure with greater insight.
Here are six of the most iconic enchanted forests from Western literature and mythology.
1. The Forbidden Forest in Harry Potter
On the grounds of Hogwarts, beyond Hagrid’s hut, lies the forbidden forest…a place where no student is allowed to roam, where magical creatures reside among the dark woods. From giant spiders to centaurs, trolls, unicorns, and dragons, the forbidden forest has been the setting for many of Harry and co’s adventures. And before the golden trio, it was once the playground of the marauders in their animagus forms during the full moon.
Throughout the series, the forest represents mystery, darkness, and magic. However, despite the dangers they face, Harry and co are saved many times by inhabitants of the forest, forcing readers to rethink their initial assumptions of ‘good vs evil’ when it comes to magical creatures.
2. The Hundred Acre Wood in Winnie-The-Pooh
The Hundred Acre Wood from Winnie-the-Pooh is the quintessential British Woodland, and would probably win the prize for the most wholesome forest. In stark contrast to the Forbidden Forest, this woodland is inviting, friendly and the epitome of childhood innocence.
These woods are portrayed as a magical haven from the stresses of adulthood. A place where children can be children, enjoying the outdoors. It’s an ode to the natural healing properties of nature, and a call to protect these precious places from the threats of industrialization and deforestation.
3. A Midsummer’s Nights Dream by William Shakespeare
This 16th-century version of a rom-com features romantic mixups, faeries, donkeys, and magical pranks which all take place in the woods. A lot of the plot is driven by characters getting lost in the woods and then having chance meetings.
The setting of the woods represents how our perceptions of reality can be altered. There is no clear path through the woods, and as characters lose themselves among the trees, they begin to lose their grasp on reality too.
4. Mirkwood in Lord of the Rings
The great dark forest of Mirkwood in Middle-earth was home to a variety of rather terrifying creatures, such as giant spiders. It was a physical manifestation of the evil corrupting power of Sauron and played a part in Bilbo Baggin dangerous quest to regain the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit.
After Sauron was defeated, the darkness was lifted from Mirkwood, and it was given the name Eryn Lasgalen (Sindarin for wood of green leaves), similar to its old name Eryn Galen, or Greenwood.
5. The forest of Narnia in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
When we first encounter the magical world of Narnia, it’s through a wintry forest, home to magical creatures such as Fawns. The woods are covered by snow and ice, frozen into eternal winter by the White Witch.
Very much like Mirkwood, the woods here are used to illustrate the witch’s power over the world of Narnia and are a physical manifestation of her ice-cold heart. They only thaw once she is defeated, allowing spring to come to the forest, symbolizing new life and new beginnings.
6. The Dark Woods in Dante’s Inferno
In his epic poem The Divine Comedy, Dante begins his journey into the underworld by traveling through a dark, shadowy wood. The Romans believed that the entrance to Hades was a forest, so it’s there that Dante prepares for his journey into hell.
The darkness of the woods represents sinful life on earth, while the ‘right road’ refers to the virtue that ultimately leads to God. In this way, Dante uses his settings to position his poem as part of the larger medieval tradition of Christian allegorical fiction.
Annmarie McQueen is a digital marketer, author and poet. Join her newsletter Lore & Ink for fiction writing tips, resources and places to submit: https://loreandink.substack.com
