Are Magic Incantations Necessary?

Question

I remember in some books I was reading had people chanting magic words or saying the spells name. I also noticed in some fan fiction that people are somehow inclined to use them for whatever purpose. I personally don't like them and find their use distracting most of the time. I have seen some used well where incantations just allowed for a stronger use of the spell. That is a creative way of using them, but I digress. Your opinions?

Answer 1

If I'm reading a book and the author is like yup I use words then I'm like ok that's cool. If they use potions or wands or crystals I just go along with it because it fits the story; each author chooses that because they find it characteristic of their type of magic. Its all cool; I think whatever channel chosen fits the story line, the characters, the magic, etc. So really its up to you when you write if you don't like words it'll end up fitting quite nicely, I'm sure.



I did read a trilogy of books once where they reached up into, essentially, an atomosphere of magic, pulled down a strand of the "blanket" and then they're filled with magic. They don't have it internally, what makes them magical is their ability to pull strands from this blanket and use it. When they're learning they could "flare out" without training; that's when they reach into the blanket and pull a giant section of it instead of a strand; this could mess up them and the blanket. Also when they're learning they use incantations because it helps them learn, helps them focus on the magic and the task their trying to accomplish with the magic. This blanket and people with access to it all go really well with the plot line; eventually it comes to be that a group of people have found a void, an area that has a hole in the blanket, and take the magicians to that area to kill/steal their powers. So they can't save themselves and can't be saved (since nobody can find the void).

Answer 2

I know they can be a bit distracting. But the magic incantation just show the seriousness or reality. For example if you look at some books, it shows that the author is taking it very serious and doing hard work and officially just creating a new magic language. Eg Eragon and Harry potter. It also shows creativity.



But Ive noticed the spells in fanfictions and books are mixed of italian and French. It also shows they're meaning of some other. Not only spells but even ancient names or just other names like voldemort... Did you know it means "fly from death" in French?



Spells and incantation show that the author is really progressing it further in to their own imaginations. They make some spells which help it make sound impressive, though distracting.

Answer 3

Incantations, to me only makes sense if you want to summon something, i like to think it as a doorbell. But to think a series of words anybody can use can control the fabric of space and time to smite your foe is kinda silly. I prefer the idea of conjuring up lightning bolts from my head and save me 30 mins.

Answer 4

I don't think it should be used, either. The only time it should is if the writer truly wants to or it fits in with the story.