Monster Myths
I read through some of the Greek monster myths, and I chose the one most interesting one, Typhon. I read online that he was born from Gaea (mother earth) and Tartarus (lower underworld). Typhon was part man part beast and he was Gaea’s Strongest and largest child. Typhon was so tall his head brushed the stars, and instead of fingers he had 100 deadly serpents. Typhon’s misson was sought to destroy the world and put obstacles to Zeus along his way to Olympus. Typhon was the most feared monster in Greek history.
My American monster is a well known monster called the Chupacabra. Experts find it impossible for the Chupacabra to exist because there would need to be at least a few hundred to keep the species alive. Some witnesses claim
In Greek Mythology there was always a monster to be slain by the hero figure. This one specifically, was the offspring of Typhon and Echidna. The monster was called the Hydra, known for terrorizing farmers and livestock around Lake Lerna; therefore, hearing of this, King Tiryns sent Hercules to kill the Hydra. Filled with courage, Hercules had no doubt he could slay the hydra and complete yet another trial. Upon seeing the Hydra, its heads were above the clouds and only came down for a worthy battle.
from blood of father heavem Giants - Erinyes (furies) - could not be banished as long as sin occured on earth, "those who walk in darkness, snakes for hair + eyes cried tears of blood. universe then ruled by Cronus (Saturn) and wife Rhea (Ops) Zeus (son of Cronus) rebelled after father tried to go against fate and swallow all his children to keep from them over throwing him. due to war, Titans conquered because Zeus relaced monsters to fight + son of Titan Iapetus, Prometheus, took sides with Zeus Typhon - Earth's last offspring, monster w/ 100 heads, Zues defeated w/ lighting + thunder Giants rebelled defeated by god + hercules, gods rruled uninterupted Earth - round disk, divided into sea (mediterranean) + Axine (black sea), around earth flowed river, Ocean. farther banks lived mysterious people, the Cimmerians, endless nights spread over these
The cyclops is a giant, one eyed, insatiable cannibal who eats people's flesh and bones. But cyclopsis are not always portrayed that way like in the story “The Sea Of Monsters”. The cyclops is described as someone looking for a bride and takes who he thought was a lady cyclops as said bride. Though the cyclops in this story does still have the intention of eating a human they wait to indulge themself showing self control. But in the story “The Cyclops”, the cyclops is portrayed as a cannibal who eats people whenever he feels the urge.
I learned about a greek monster named Scylla who was a big creature that had 6 dangling necks and 6 dangling feet from its huge body. This monster was actually a beautiful women that was turned into a horrifying monster. She couldn't leave in a area by a rock which was her punishment. She was put into this terrifying body because a sea god fell in love with her and wanted that love to be there forever, unfortunately the witch that was suppose to cast that spell decided to turn her into a huge scary sea monster. So Scylla job now was to just destroy anything that came by her rock.
In Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture (Seven Thesis), Cohen analyzes the psychology behind monsters and how, rather than being a monstrous beast for the protagonist of the story to play against, “the monster signifies something other than itself”. Cohen makes the claim that by analyzing monsters in mythology and stories, you can learn much about the culture that gave rise to them. In Thesis 1 of Monster Culture, Cohen proposes that “the monster’s body literally incorporates fear, desire, anxiety, and fantasy”, specifically the fear, desire and anxiety of the cultures that gave rise to it; for example, vampires, undead, represent a fear of death. Monsters are born of an intense fear, desire, or internal conflict, “at this metaphorical
The definition of a “monster” is a threatening force. In Walter Dean Myers’ Monster, Steve Harmon the defendant in the trial is being charged for felony murder. The monster in him is the struggle between his innocence and guilt. Steve’s judgement of his actions is similar to a pendulum swinging. One side is his innocence translated to his testimony while the other side is his guilt which is seen in his diary.
Monsters will NEVER ever die: all cultures around the world have them and have had them since people first thought of them. Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College Chicago, Stephen T. Asma, in his essay, Monsters and the Moral Imagination, describes how we look at and are drawn to monsters. But not just monsters, murderers and psychopaths also. Monsters never age, ranging from the first civilization to now. In Asma's essay he asks, "Why do monsters exist?
Monster Culture Jeffrey Jerome Cohen is the writer of “Monster Culture: Seven Theses.” He went to the University of Rochester and acquired a PhD in English and has been teaching at George Washington University since 1994. The intended audience of this essay is anybody interested in the monster culture. This essay came from Monster Theory: Reading Culture.
For centuries stories have been told about monsters. Stories that include monsters themselves as the main character, and stories that include a battle between a heroic figure and the monster to represent good vs. evil. The root word for “monster” is “monstrum”, which means that which reveals or warns. A monster is the product or symbol of a culture from which the monster comes from. They are more than their physical body and entertainment value that plays into these stories of the monstrous figure we read about or watch in movies or television.
Rereading America: Introduction The Introductory Chapter defines what it means to be a critical thinker: someone who is an active learner with the ability to shape, rather than simply absorb information. To encourage students to practice critical thinking, the author uses myths as his chosen medium, particularly those found in American culture. He points out that the culture we live in shapes the way we think; he tells us what seems to true and what does not. While it simplifies our life, it also blinds us and that is what the author hopes to point out.
Stories about monsters appeal to humans because they provide the right amount of fear and danger, pushing on the boundaries of comfort. There are examples of monsters in literature as old as The Odyssey of Homer which includes monsters such as the sirens, and as new as the Harry Potter series which includes the monstrous Voldemort. In these stories, as well as others such as Beowulf, Grendel, and The 13th Warrior, the monsters in each are critical to the storyline. The monsters in Beowulf, Grendel, and The 13th Warrior are determined by the perspective of each story, and represent the main characters’ fears.
In Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s Monster Culture (Seven Thesis), Cohen analyzes the psychology behind monsters and how, rather than being a monstrous beast for the protagonist of the story to play against, “the monster signifies something other than itself”. Cohen makes the claim that by analyzing monsters in mythology and stories, you can learn much about the culture that gave rise to them. In Thesis 1 of Monster Culture, Cohen proposes that “the monster’s body literally incorporates fear, desire, anxiety, and fantasy”, specifically the fear, desire and anxiety of the cultures that gave rise to it;; fFor example, vVampires, undead, represent a fear of death. Monsters are born of an intense fear, desire, or internal conflict, “at this metaphorical
The monster archetype has been one of the most riveting archetypes that surrounds the concept of ‘evil’. It has been portrayed as a supernatural creature with grotesque features that normally brings disruption to the city and needs to be tamed or controlled to bring once again peace to the story. Due to this, it is most commonly depicted with a negative connotation, and with the idea of horror and fear. The monster has been present since the bible, which was written approximately 3,400 years ago, with the anecdote of Goliath. It has remained with its primary role of converting the protagonist into a hero and providing fear to the storyline.
The Loch Ness Monster There is said to live a beast in the Loch Ness lake. Some speculate that it’s an ancient dinosaur that has survived for millions of years. Others say it’s a so called Kelpie, a monster who would lure it’s victims into the lake by transforming into a horse. And of course there are those who thinks it’s simply a hoax to gain more tourists.
The story behind Zeus was where his father started getting paranoid about his children killing him, that he started eating his own children. However, when Zeus, the sixth child was born, his wife did not let him eat him. As Zeus got older, he put a potion in his father’s wine which made him throw up the children. Then Zeus led his siblings in the battle against Kronos and Titans. They won the battle, and Zeus became King of the gods.