Favorite Fairy Characters
After writing my first fae novel, I decided I should know a bit more about fairy lore and fairy characters in literature. I will admit to being a bit scared about my fae book release seeing as I broke with tradition on much of the fae lore in my Realm Chronicles series. My fae can lie, but are rarely deceitful, and aren’t harmed by iron. I loved remembering some of my childhood favorites and revisiting books I loved. What are your favorite fairy characters? Here are a select few of my favorite fae and fairy characters.
#1 – Tinker Bell, from Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
Perhaps the most recognizable fairy, Tinker Bell co-stars as Peter Pan’s sidekick in Peter Pan. Barrie describes her as a fairy who fixes pots and kettles therefore a “Tinker” of the fairy folk. She can be mean, spoiled, and jealous, but also good and loving to Peter. Her small size causes her swaying emotions being that her tiny body can only house one emotion at a time.
#2 – The Fairy Godmother, from Cinderella by Charles Perrault
The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella acts as the quintessential bearer of good. She swoops in just when Cinderella needs her, supplying a gorgeous dress and carriage to get Cinderella to the Prince’s ball. Who doesn’t want more bibbity bobbity boo in their lives?
#3 – The Blue Fairy, from The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
Seeing his creator’s loneliness, The Blue Fairy brings Pinocchio, a wooden puppet, to life. At the end of the story she grants Pinocchio’s wish to become a real boy after he displays genuine care of his father, Geppetto. In the original story she first appears as a young blue haired girl, then later as Pinocchio’s mother who becomes sick and is cared for by Pinocchio.
#4 – Maleficent, from Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent
In Sleeping Beauty Maleficent is the evil fairy who curses Princess Aurora to die on her sixteenth birthday. Three other fairies in the story, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather, appear as “good fairies” and her arch enemies, doing all they can to keep Aurora from the curse. In Disney’s Maleficent, Maleficent plays a once good fairy turned evil. Initially she tries to protect her kingdom from an invading enemy. She becomes vengeful after being spurned by a love and curses Aurora, the daughter of the invading King’s successor.
#5 – Puck, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare
Puck is a servant of the Fairy King Oberon. A mischievous fairy, Puck relishes in causing problems. He makes Oberon’s wife, Titania, to fall in love with Bottom, a being with a donkey head, and various others to fall in love with the wrong mates. Puck tells us in the epilogue that he wishes to make amends and sets everything right, so I’m cheering for his redemption.
#6 – Morgan le Fay, L’Morte de Arthur
Perhaps one of my favorites, don’t judge me I beg of you. Morgan plays many characters in the shifting stories of the Arthurian legends. Some trace her origins to the Irish goddesses Macha and Morrighan. Whether she is a goddess, witch, or fairy is not clear. Sometimes she seems to fight for good while others she plays a darker character representing cold and war. In a few tales, she seduces her half-brother Arthur to sire Mordred, the evil traitor. But in the end it is Morgan le Fay who comes to ferry Arthur to the faery isle of Avalon.
#7 – Sookie Stackhouse, Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
Also another favorite for her spunk and determination, Sookie is plagued by the ability to hear people’s thoughts. She discovers she is a fairy in The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, made into an HBO Series named True Blood. Her blood attracts the vampires not only because it tastes better than human blood but enables them to walk in the sun. Sookie becomes attracted to the vampires because, unlike humans, she cannot hear their thoughts.
Who are your favorite faeries or fairies? What faeries do you love or love to hate?
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Happy reading,
Tricia
Tricia believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.