The intertextual relationships between postmodern fictions: The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, and norse mythology in the context of the role of female characters in the hero's journey

It is generally accepted that the first examples of the oral tradition were made up of legends, epics and myths. Countless literary works of different genres have been produced from these first narratives to the present day. Regardless of the genre, it is not accepted that there has ever been a new or unspoken word uttered by human beings on earth. This phenomenon, which can be explained by the concept of intertextuality from literary theory, will continue as long as mankind exists on earth. Lagertha, one of the unforgettable legends of antiquity, recounts the adventures of a rare female heroine. Lagertha has a great influence on the exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok, the legendary king of Norse mythology. The Lord of the Rings series, one of the most iconic works of modern times, tells the story of the struggle of a handful of people to change the fate of the world. Although a male-dominated atmosphere prevails in these processes, an analysis of the role of female characters shows that female heroes play a crucial role in the flow of the story. Similar situations can be found in the Harry Potter series. In the series narrating the events of the protagonist Harry, the vital touches of the female protagonists at certain points completely changed the course of the story and contributed significantly to the protagonist's self-realisation. The aim of this thesis is to examine in detail the similarities between the Norse mythology of Ragnar Lothbrok and Lagertha and the role of female characters in two modern fictional works, The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, within the framework of intertextuality theory and to present the results.