Well, these early good vs evil stories were crucial for a number of reasons. First of all, they were a way of explaining the existence of both positive and negative aspects in life. If there were heroes (good) fighting monsters or villains (evil), it made it easier for people to understand why there were hardships and joys. Also, they were used for entertainment, but in a more profound way. They were passed down through generations, and as they were told and retold, they became a way of bonding communities. People could gather around and listen to these stories, and in that process, they strengthened their cultural identity.
One of the earliest good vs evil stories is the Epic of Gilgamesh. In this ancient Sumerian tale, Gilgamesh, the hero, battles against various challenges and forces that can be seen as representing evil, such as Humbaba, the fearsome guardian of the Cedar Forest. Another early example is the story of the Egyptian god Horus and his conflict with Seth. Horus stands for good, order and kingship, while Seth represents chaos and evil. Also, in the Bible, the story of Adam and Eve has elements of good and evil, with the serpent as the tempter representing evil, and Adam and Eve's initial state of innocence as a form of good.
They're popular because they present clear moral contrasts that people can easily relate to and root for one side or the other.
Because they are easy to understand. We can clearly tell who is good and who is bad, like in 'Snow White' where Snow White is the good one and the Evil Queen is bad. It gives a sense of justice being served at the end.
Good vs evil in stories serves as a powerful moral compass. It allows readers to easily distinguish between right and wrong, which is essential for moral development. For example, in fairy tales like 'Snow White', the good Snow White and the evil queen clearly represent two opposing forces. This simple dichotomy helps children understand basic values from a young age.
Good vs evil stories are straightforward. You clearly know who to root for. In grey stories, the moral lines are blurred, which can be mentally tiring. For example, in a superhero story (good vs evil), the superhero fights the villain to save the world. It's exciting. But in a grey story, a character might do both good and bad things, and it's hard to fully embrace or condemn them.
In 'Harry Potter', Harry, Hermione, and Ron are on the side of good. They fight against Voldemort, the ultimate evil. Voldemort wants to dominate the wizarding world and eliminate all those who oppose him. The whole series is filled with the battles between good and evil, with the good characters constantly trying to uphold justice and protect the innocent.
One of the best good vs evil stories is 'The Lord of the Rings'. In this epic tale, Frodo and his companions represent the good. They are on a quest to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron, the embodiment of evil. The hobbits, along with their allies like Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas, face numerous challenges and battles against the forces of evil. Their journey shows great courage, friendship, and the struggle between light and darkness.
Using good vs evil helps in moral education. Stories can show the consequences of good and bad actions. When we see good triumph over evil, it gives us hope and encourages us to be good in real life. Take 'Cinderella' for instance. Cinderella's kindness (good) is rewarded in the end, while the stepmother and stepsisters' cruelty (evil) is punished.
In 'The Lord of the Rings', Frodo Baggins is an iconic good character. He is small and unassuming but has a great heart. He undertakes the nearly impossible task of destroying the One Ring to save Middle - earth. As for the evil side, Sauron is the ultimate villain. His dark presence looms over the entire story. Another example is in 'Star Wars'. Luke Skywalker is a well - known good character. He is the hero who battles the evil Empire. Darth Vader, with his black armor and menacing presence, is one of the most iconic villains in movie history.
Jules Verne was a very important figure in the earliest science fiction. His works, such as 'Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea' and 'Around the World in Eighty Days', were full of imaginative ideas about exploration and technology.