Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tuesday Tropes: Speak Of The Devil


There's an old saying: if you speak of the devil, he will appear. Such is the common phrase when someone arrives and the people there were just talking about him. But what if speaking someone's name has more draw and power, or gathers their attention from miles away? In this case, you have a trope on your hands.

Speak of the Devil - Often a villainous trope, is the act of someone saying the villain's name, resulting in that villain appearing, becoming aware, gaining power, or causing something bad to happen. Because of the danger this trope possesses, characters grant this villain a nickname.

This is usually a high fantasy trope, a ploy used to make the reader aware that this baddie is powerful and not to be messed with. That or because of fear, characters refuse to speak his name because of superstition (like having your ears burn if people speak about you).

Even if you're careful and stick to You Know Who, you may wind up getting close to them anyway - too close!

"The b-b-back of my head is s-s-so itchy!"

It might be okay to say their name once. Maybe twice. But three times? *shiver* I won't be held responsible!

"I could go for some 'Beetlejuice' about now!"

Perhaps the villain is so evil that his name should be avoided altogether, even if nothing comes of it.

Gandalf: *points to the awaiting council*
"Let's see how many nicknames they come up with."
Elrond: *snickers* "You're on!"

Other good examples of this trope can be found in The Wheel of Time, The Belgariad, Turn Coat, and The Empire of the East. While a valuable trope for striking fear in the heart of your characters (and audience), Speak of the Devil can have many variations and subtleties. A name might cause someone good to appear, too. It all depends on how you use it.

Have you used this trope before? Was it dramatic or subtle? Is there a name you avoid saying?

I'm David, and whatever you do, don't say ...

25 comments:

  1. I haven't used this trope before. However, in books that I have read that did...I enjoyed it. The feeling is that the villain has great power. I mean...if he can hear you talking about him...that's about as badass as they come.

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  2. I've read quite a few books that use this trope but have never used it personally, and can't see using it on any of the projects I have waiting. However, it is common enough that it's easily bandied about between people. I think most of society would understand if a joke was made about not saying someones name.

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  3. I haven't used this trope often, but I appreciate when writer's do. I adore well-placed foreshadowing!

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  4. This is a great one for fantasy! I might have to use it sometime. I thought of a troupe I don't think you've used yet. we'll have to discuss it at Storymakers ;)

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  5. Great post. I feel like this is found in folk tales sometimes too.

    Bloody Mary...Bloody Mary...

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  6. Spooky! (I cracked up with the Harry Potter picture. Ha!) I haven't thought of using this troupe either. Maybe in a future ms. ;)

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  7. This reminds me. Did you hear they're talking about a BEETLEJUICE sequel? Ugh.

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  8. Wow, when I think about it, I can't believe how many times I've read a book with this trope. Never used it myself, but it is a fun one.

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  9. There's something powerful about names, that's for sure. I haven't quite done it yet, because I'm not really writing this kind of fantasy yet... But great eye-opener to this trope!

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  10. One of my favorite tropes! Such a great and simple way to add suspense. Great post as always, David!

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  11. I do enjoy this trope. I haven't really used it. Loved your pictures and comments. Very creative.

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  12. Not quite the same, but I have a character who won't use the name of someone he disapproves of.

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  13. Nope, I've never used this trope. It's an interesting one, though--names do have power!

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  14. I haven't used this one. But I believe the original had to be Bloody Mary.

    As a kid, that freaked me out.

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  15. I am now going to use this trope in my book. It so fits with the fantasy!

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  16. Fantastic post. I've never used this myself, but there's a lot of power in names.

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  17. Ugh. I've been so terrible on following up on all the blogs I read.

    I like this post. I've seen several of these in books I've read. I don't believe I've ever used it. My villain can only be defeated using his own name... which no one knows.

    -Matt

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  18. You are king of captions, DPK... Seriously sooooo funny! Loved the post--you're always informative & entertaining :)

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  19. This is why the beasts are not named in my ms! Thanks for the justification :)

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  20. I've never used it but I'm not beyond it. I'm really not beyond much though. ;)

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  21. I don't think I've used this trope. But I do like it.

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  22. Yes! There's a villainess in my new story... but I don't think she has a name. (Probably because I've only given her nicknames so far and haven't come up with an actual name yet...)

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  23. I hadn't thought about using this one. Now I'm thinking about a scary movie that I watched ages ago. I won't say the name...

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  24. I love the trope in fantasy - or any scary book. It worked well for The Genie too :)

    Loved your scream video, lol.

    .....dhole

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  25. Ha! As soon as you explained the trope, I thought "I KNOW THIS ONE. THIS IS LIKE THAT TIME VOLDEMORT PUT A CURSE ON HIS NAME SO THAT ANYBODY WHO SPOKE IT WOULD GET CAUGHT."

    Then I realized that was sort of obvious.

    I like all the examples though. :)

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