Talk:Quest

Perhaps further elucidation of the example quests is in order to make this article more Encyclopedic instead of Dictionary material. Also, maybe a history of the Quest literary device. I'm not as well versed in these topics, but it would be what I would expect or like to see (being a Random Reader) in an encyclopedic entry on the subject. Also, maybe a few historical acounts of things that can be portrayed as quests. Two-Bit Sprite 19:35, 15 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I think I found something in here that's pure opinion.
"The third is the most irritating to the avid gamer; the stereotypical "newbie" level."

This is the first sentence in the second to last paragraph. It's used to describe a type of side qeust. I think that sentence is pure opinion. This type of side quest may be irritating for the person who wrote that, but no one can vouch for every avid gamer. (Added by User:Deathhound on 11 December 2005 but left unsigned)


 * Please, while you are entitled to feel that this phrase is merely conjecture, keep in mind that this may only be your personal opinion. Let's stay focused on improving this article factually.  Speaking of which, there aren't any facts in this terrible article.  The first half only kind of limps along at a junior high school level before busting out its first reference to Lord of the Rings; then the entire second half is given over to video games.  Well done, Wikipedia, you've out-nerded yourself again.  (Added by 67.48.79.191 on 28 March 2006 but left unsigned)

Reeks of POV!
"Weak writers...", "poorly done..." - this article is a disaster, if you'll forgive my own outburst of POV. The article could do with a good rewrite. (Added by 212.55.39.188 on 11 July 2006 but left unsigned)

RPG section laden with opinion
I agree with the others here who complain about the wholesale dispensing of opinion in the section on Role Playing Games. "Often done poorly" is pure opinion on the part of the writer who contributed that little chestnut.

I am too new to Wikipedia to know how to formally flag an article as having a status of disputed neutrality, or to know whether it is appropriate to find out how to do that and do so myself. I also suspect this article needs a constructive discussion leading to changes which would be helpful and more informative.

For one thing, I believe that the RPG section should be much shorter, or even not its own sub-section but mentioned along with things which tend to commonly include quest plots.


 * The language was not in keeping with the rest of the article on Quests or those that link this article. I have made some changes to make the RPG section readable for myself. However, the section remains intact and holds most of the information it contained prior to this edit. 58.162.28.119 06:06, 29 October 2006 (UTC) Grandor

True purpose?
While this goal, tangible or otherwise, may be the hero's initial aim, quite often the true purpose behind the quest is not this item or idea, but rather the tempering of the hero's virtues and burning away of his or her vice within the fires of the tests he or she must face.

No reference given. Furthermore, of four examples, only two fit it. Neither Beowulf nor Odysseus are portrayed as needing their quests to be heroes. (I'm eliminating them.) Goldfritha 00:22, 27 October 2006 (UTC)


 * Removing as unreferenced. It reads more like a theory of quests that a neutral description.  Goldfritha 23:52, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Quest objects
Will a knowledgeable person please find sources for this Section? Otherwise it may be removed in its entirety. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis 09:05, 31 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Done. Goldfritha 01:55, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

I don't understand what was done. The same three sentences are marked Citation Needed as before. Sincerely, GeorgeLouis 03:33, 1 November 2006 (UTC)
 * I added a reference. But those three sentences need one still, because the reference is for the rest of the section, since you said you would delete the entire section.  Goldfritha 23:59, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

OK. Let's hope somebody finds a reference. Your pal, GeorgeLouis 07:15, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

fantasy box?
Could I suggest that that fantasy box to the right is out of place? Whereas I understand that the concept of Quest is important for the fantasy genre, I find it doubtful that is exclusive of the fantasy genre, so that box has no place in here, imo.

Someone more knowlegeable could also add some "highbrow" modern literature examples. I'm all for populism etc, but as it is, the article turns to be useless for anyone researching quest as a literary apparatus used throughout several genres. Parababelico 23:18, 13 November 2006 (UTC)


 * Agree it's inappropriate. Fantasy is not the only location where quests occur.  Goldfritha 23:49, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Agree FRAY KAY MW (talk) 16:12, 20 February 2023 (UTC)

Quest as a plot in RPG_style narratives
"The quest provides a basic plot in role-playing games, or video games that incorporate the role-playing genre.

A quest in a role-playing game may begin with an announcement that the heroes must assemble some artifact, which has been broken into several pieces, each of which has a challenge the heroes must overcome. "

Yes and no. This main quest itself is to overcome a dire a political/religious/cultural situation that may mean war/genozid/annihilation otherwise. IF the set-up is like "long ago an unspeakable evil was banned, now it is rearing it's ugly head(s) again and YOU must bann it", typically the aforementioned "gathering of artifacts" is needed to redo the banning. These to-be-collected parts function as plot devices, but are not the plot themself.85.181.187.46 (talk) 18:47, 30 June 2010 (UTC)

Searching for an emerald in the Epic of Gilgamesh?
In the "Historical examples" section, it says "An early quest story tells the tale of Gilgamesh, who seeks a secret to eternal life after the death of Enkidu, including the search for an emerald." but I am doubting that such a search actually occurs in the Epic of Gilgamesh, (initially because I didn't remember it, and then a brief search failed to find it, even though it might be true, as legend has it), but worse of all: no reference is given, so I can't check the original source mentioning this mythical quest for an emerald for myself. Was this a fool's errand!? 81.110.180.141 (talk) 19:55, 23 September 2018 (UTC)