Robert E. Howard’s Conan The Barbarian Origins
Quick Answer
- Core Concept: Conan is a Cimmerian warrior who rises from a barbarian background to become a king, embodying themes of survival, ambition, and the struggle against civilization.
- Key Appeal: The stories offer a blend of sword-and-sorcery action, intricate world-building, and a compelling protagonist driven by primal instincts and a keen intellect.
- Author: Robert E. Howard, a prolific pulp fiction writer, created the character and established the Hyborian Age setting.
Who This Is For
- Readers interested in the origins of the sword-and-sorcery genre and its foundational figures.
- Those who appreciate action-driven narratives with complex, morally ambiguous protagonists and richly imagined ancient worlds.
What To Check First
- Original Pulp Stories: Prioritize reading the original short stories published in Weird Tales magazine by Robert E. Howard. These are the foundational texts.
- Hyborian Age Setting: Familiarize yourself with the historical-fantasy backdrop Howard created, a world of ancient civilizations and savage tribes.
- Howard’s Writing Style: Understand that Howard’s prose is direct, action-oriented, and often visceral, reflecting the pulp era.
- Character Evolution: Note how Conan progresses from a wandering thief and mercenary to a king, demonstrating strategic thinking alongside brute force.
Step-by-Step Plan: Exploring Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard
1. Initiate with “The Phoenix on the Sword”:
- Action: Begin reading with this story, as it is the first published Conan tale and introduces the character as a king.
- What to Look For: Observe Conan’s immediate challenges as a ruler, his barbarian directness clashing with courtly intrigue, and the supernatural elements he confronts.
- Mistake to Avoid: Assuming this is the chronological start of Conan’s life; his earlier adventures are explored in subsequent stories.
- Audible Audiobook
- Robert E. Howard (Author) - Finn J. D. John (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 06/27/2017 (Publication Date) - Pulp-Lit Productions (Publisher)
2. Engage with Early Adventures:
- Action: Proceed to stories like “The God in the Iron” and “The Tower of the Elephant.”
- What to Look For: Witness Conan as a younger, more nomadic warrior, focusing on his physical prowess, cunning in dangerous situations, and encounters with dark magic and ancient evils.
- Mistake to Avoid: Overlooking the thematic consistency; even in these early tales, Conan displays intelligence beyond mere brawn.
3. Analyze “The Hour of the Dragon”:
- Action: Read this novella, Howard’s only full-length Conan novel.
- What to Look For: Examine the epic scope, political machinations, and the deeper exploration of Conan’s character as he reclaims his throne. This work showcases Howard’s ability to weave a complex narrative.
- Mistake to Avoid: Treating it as just another action story; it offers significant insight into Conan’s strategic mind and his relationship with the lands he conquers.
4. Understand Thematic Elements:
- Action: Identify recurring themes across multiple stories.
- What to Look For: Note the interplay between barbarism and civilization, the corrupting influence of power and magic, and Conan’s persistent drive for survival and self-determination.
- Mistake to Avoid: Focusing solely on the action and missing the underlying philosophical and societal commentary Howard embedded in the narratives.
5. Consider the Hyborian Age Context:
- Action: Research the world Howard created, the Hyborian Age.
- What to Look For: Understand the geopolitical landscape, the various cultures, and how Conan’s Cimmerian origins place him on the fringes of established empires. This context enriches the understanding of his motivations and conflicts.
- Mistake to Avoid: Viewing the Hyborian Age as a historical period; it is a fictional construct designed to serve the sword-and-sorcery genre.
6. Evaluate Howard’s Legacy:
- Action: Reflect on the impact of Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard on subsequent literature and media.
- What to Look For: Recognize how Howard’s creation defined many tropes of the genre, influencing countless authors and adaptations.
- Mistake to Avoid: Attributing later interpretations or developments of Conan solely to Howard without acknowledging his foundational work.
Common Mistakes
- Mistake: Focusing exclusively on the action and gore.
- Why it Matters: This overlooks the sophisticated world-building, political intrigue, and character development present in the stories.
- Fix: Actively look for moments of strategic thinking, dialogue revealing character motivations, and descriptions of the Hyborian Age’s cultures and societies.
- Mistake: Treating all Conan stories as equal in quality or canonical origin.
- Why it Matters: Robert E. Howard wrote the original core stories. Later authors have contributed significantly, but the foundational voice and vision are Howard’s.
- Fix: Prioritize reading Howard’s original tales first. When exploring later works, be aware of their different authors and potential deviations from Howard’s original intent.
- Mistake: Underestimating Conan’s intelligence.
- Why it Matters: Conan is often portrayed as a brute, but Howard consistently depicts him as a shrewd strategist and survivor who learns from his experiences.
- Fix: Pay attention to Conan’s plans, his ability to adapt to new situations, and his understanding of human (and inhuman) nature, even when he resorts to physical force.
- Mistake: Ignoring the supernatural and magical elements.
- Why it Matters: While Conan is a warrior, sorcery, ancient gods, and otherworldly creatures are integral to the plots and the challenges he faces.
- Fix: Recognize that the “sorcery” aspect is as crucial as the “sword” in sword-and-sorcery. Understand how these fantastical elements drive the conflict and test Conan’s resolve.
Decision Rules
- If reliability is your top priority for Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard, choose the option with the strongest long-term track record and support.
- If value matters most, compare total ownership cost instead of headline price alone.
- If your use case is specific, prioritize fit-for-purpose features over generic ‘best overall’ claims.
FAQ
Q: What is the best starting point for reading Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard?
A: Begin with the original short stories published in Weird Tales. “The Phoenix on the Sword” is the first published, though not chronologically the first in Conan’s life. Following this with “The Tower of the Elephant” and “The God in the Iron” provides a good early experience.
Q: Is Conan a purely physical character, or does he have intellectual depth?
A: While Conan is renowned for his physical prowess and fighting skill, Robert E. Howard consistently portrays him as possessing considerable cunning, strategic acumen, and a sharp intellect. He learns quickly, adapts to complex situations, and often outmaneuvers his opponents through wit as much as through force.
Q: How does the Hyborian Age setting influence the stories?
A: The Hyborian Age is a fictional Bronze Age world created by Howard, serving as the backdrop for Conan’s adventures. It features diverse civilizations, ancient empires, and mythological elements, providing a rich, often dangerous, landscape for Conan to navigate. His Cimmerian origins place him as an outsider, often clashing with the more “civilized” but decadent societies he encounters.
Q: Are there any specific themes to look for in Howard’s Conan stories?
A: Key themes include the eternal conflict between barbarism and civilization, the corrupting nature of power and magic, the struggle for survival and self-determination, and the cyclical nature of empires. Conan himself embodies the tension between primal instinct and a developing, albeit unconventional, sense of justice and ambition.
Q: What distinguishes Robert E. Howard’s Conan from later interpretations?
A: Howard’s original Conan is often more philosophical and strategic than some later portrayals. While still a fierce warrior, his tales delve into the complexities of rulership, the allure and danger of magic, and the harsh realities of his world with a unique pulp-era prose style. Later interpretations often emphasize the action or adapt the character for different media, sometimes simplifying his motivations.
Conan The Barbarian by Robert E. Howard: A Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Robert E. Howard’s Original Stories | Later Adaptations (General) | Primary Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrative Focus | Blend of action, political intrigue, supernatural horror, and character introspection. | Often leans heavily into action, spectacle, and simplified character arcs. | Howard’s work integrates intellectual and thematic depth with visceral excitement, a balance often altered in adaptations. |
| Conan’s Persona | Primal warrior with keen intellect, strategic mind, and evolving moral compass; a survivor king. | Can range from a stoic warrior to a more brooding or even anti-heroic figure. | Howard’s Conan is a complex figure grappling with his barbarian heritage and the responsibilities of power. |
| World-Building | Detailed, albeit sometimes anachronistic, Hyborian Age with distinct cultures and mythologies. | May simplify or alter the Hyborian Age for narrative convenience or visual appeal. | The richness and internal logic of Howard’s invented world are foundational to the original stories’ impact. |
| Tone | Direct, visceral, and often fatalistic pulp prose, with moments of grandiosity. | Varies widely depending on the medium and creator; can be more modern, gritty, or fantastical. | Howard’s distinctive voice is a significant part of the original appeal, offering a raw, immediate experience. |
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