The History of Storytelling
Storytelling is among the oldest and most significant art forms in human history. It has played a crucial role in shaping societies, enabling communication, and ensuring that cultures and traditions endure through time.
But what exactly is storytelling and how has it evolved over time?
What is storytelling?
Storytelling is the act of telling or writing stories, or narratives. Typically, stories are told for entertainment, for informational purposes, or for educational purposes.
There are many storytelling synonyms depending on if you focus on the story (such as fable, tale, legend, myth, fiction) or if you focus on the telling (such as narration, explanation and description).
“At heart, storytelling is the magic that turns words into worlds, making every adventure possible!”
The Evolution of Storytelling
Whilst unlikely to be fully proven, it is believed that oral and written storytelling was developed immediately after the development of language. However stories have been a part of different cultures from long before this. Where did stories come from, and where are they going?
Cave Paintings
The earliest forms date back to prehistoric times when humans used cave paintings to depict their lives, hunts, and beliefs on rock walls. These images (visual storytelling), found in places like Lascaux, France, served as visual narratives that connected communities and preserved knowledge.
Folklores & Epics
As societies developed, storytelling shifted to oral traditions and folklore, with tales being passed down through generations by word of mouth. These stories often included myths, legends, and moral lessons, forming the backbone of many cultures' traditions. With time this formed into Epics being written to ensure eternal survival of the stories.
Some most famous initial folklores include:
- The Shahnameh written by Ferdowsi in Persia
- The great epic poems from Greece: The Iliad and the Odyssey written by Homer.
The oldest known story?
The Epic of Gilgamesh is often regarded as the oldest known piece of literature. Originating from ancient Mesopotamia, this epic poem narrates the adventures of Gilgamesh, the semi-divine king of Uruk, as he embarks on quests that explore themes of friendship, mortality, and the human experience.
The narrative’s origins trace back to Sumerian poems circa 2100–2000 BCE. These early stories were later compiled and expanded into the Akkadian version, known as the Epic of Gilgamesh, around the 18th century BCE.
While the Epic of Gilgamesh is among the earliest known literary works, determining the absolute “oldest” story is challenging! However, its profound impact on literature and its reflection of early human society make it very important in the study of ancient narratives.
Reference
https://www.history.com/news/what-is-the-oldest-known-piece-of-literature
Religious Texts
The advent of religious writings marked another significant shift, with sacred texts such as the Bible, the Quran, and the Vedas not only documenting spiritual beliefs but also weaving stories that conveyed moral and ethical teachings.
Plays
The ancient Greeks and Romans contributed to storytelling through plays and theater, introducing drama, tragedy, and comedy to audiences. These performances were not only a form of entertainment but also a means of exploring human nature and societal issues.
This tradition spread across the world. By the 16th Century William Shakespeare had become the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He wrote 39 plays and is still the most performed playwright in the world. Shakespear remains the most influential writer in English, being responsible for inventing 1,700 words in the English language.
Printing Press
The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg in the 15th century was a watershed moment, democratizing access to stories by allowing books to be mass-produced. This led to the rise of the novel, with authors like Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Leo Tolstoy using long-form narratives to delve deep into character development and complex plots.
Cinema
The 20th century introduced cinema, a revolutionary medium that combined visual storytelling with sound and motion. Movies brought stories to life on the big screen, creating shared experiences for audiences around the world.
“Cinema gave rise to a whole new category of visual storytelling, and the creation of the first ‘celebrities’.”
Digital Storytelling
Digital storytelling uses platforms like social media, podcasts, video games, and virtual reality to create interactive and immersive experiences.
The rise of influencers has created a new category of storytellers, with it never being easier to share your stories with the world.
What are the different Storytelling techniques?
There is an art to storytelling that people spend years perfecting, depending on the audience and purpose. Storytelling can take many forms. Traditional forms include oral storytelling, where tales are passed down through spoken word, often accompanied by gestures and expressions.
Written storytelling encompasses everything from novels and short stories to poetry and scripts. Visual storytelling uses images, such as in comics, films, and photography, to convey narratives without relying solely on words.
Digital storytelling merges technology with narrative techniques, utilizing videos, podcasts, interactive media, and social media platforms to create immersive experiences. Performing arts, such as theater, dance, and music, also tell stories through movement, sound, and performance.
Why do we love stories?
People love stories because they are a fundamental part of the human experience. Stories entertain, educate, and provide an escape from reality. They allow us to experience emotions and adventures vicariously, offering a safe space to explore fears, hopes, and dreams.
Stories also create a sense of connection; they make us feel understood and less alone by showing that others have experienced similar emotions or situations.
