Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Why I Chose the Monster

(Roche)

There are two types of monsters to me in literature. There’s the complexity of the “good” monster and there’s the stark vision of the “pure” monster. The concept of a monster is often seen clearly and definitively as a specific type of villain. I have always been drawn to the perceived villain because often times the character is far deeper than their heroic counterpart. The archetype of a monster is commonly one that is antagonistic because of some unseen motivation for the destructive behavior. Commonly the monster is overlooked or misinterpreted causing resentment for the “good”. To strike against the negligence of mankind in its perception of what is ugly or bad, the “monster” will self-fulfill the very label it loathes. These characters on the surface seem evil and possibly grotesque but there is essentially a human layer to their depth. To examine this type of character is frequently the most rewarding experience in literature for me. The “pure” monster is a far more crystalline character. Their motives are mostly black and white within the narrative of the story. They commonly serve a single purpose as the plot device to upset the balance of the “Hero” or protagonist. This “pure” monster brings nothing but turmoil and chaos and cannot be reasoned with. These two types of monsters both fascinate me, and are often my primary catalyst for reading literature.

The Dullahan

(Chris Rawlins)


The legend of the Dullahan is frequently heard around the world by a different name. In America we know the Dullahan most commonly as “The Headless Horseman". In Ireland the lore of the Dullahan is infamous. “It is said that after sunset, on certain festivals and feast days, one of the most terrifying creatures in the spirit world, the Dullahan, can be seen riding a magnificent black stallion across the country side.” (Haggerty) What’s most intimidating about the Dullahan is the potential that he will come searching for his next mortal. Once the horseman finds who he is looking for he does not ever rest. It is said that the only defense against the Dullahan is an item forged from gold. The most interesting aspect of the horseman is the allegory he clearly represents. The Dullahan is the physical incarnation of death. It cannot be reasoned with and it cannot be escaped. To even place your sight upon the Dullahan is reason enough to be made to pay. Commonly looking at the harbinger of death brings unsavory results, like having a bucket of blood splashed onto ones person. The terror of the Dullhan is because humans fear death almost above all else.

Grendel

(Frank Wu)


In the poem “Beowulf”, Grendel is featured as the primary antagonist to Beowulf himself. Grendel is shown early in the poem to have anger and resentment toward humankind. When Grendel is exposed to the happiness of man he is thrown into a fit of rage. His monstrosity is fully realized when he acts on this anger and goes into the mead-hall, Heorot, destroying everything and everyone in his way. Grendel is described as unappealing to look at and monstrous in nature. In the most lauded translation of “Beowulf”, Grendel is shown to be humanesque but still inhumane “... in the shape of a man, moves beyond the pale bigger than any man, an unnatural birth”. (Heaney) What makes Grendel such a fascinating character is perhaps the possible motive for his anger and behavior against mankind. It’s this anger that makes Grendel more human than even he can know. Grendel is conceivably jealous, bitter, and cross toward mankind. In the view of God’s people Grendel might feel like a pariah. He is conceivably isolated for eternity with his own mother. Grendel would never have loved or been blessed with the emotion of happiness. This possible sadness is extremely human.

Grendel's Mother


(John Howe)

Another monster from the poem “Beouwulf” is Grendel's mother. She is not as massive or as treacherous as her foul son, but she is driven by revenge. Her son returns to their cave lethally injured by Beowulf, with one of his arms torn clean off from its shoulder. He dies from his wounds as his mother watches helplessly. She does not mourn for long before she tries to seek her revenge. She does not hide away but instead seeks out Beowulf for the wrongdoing he has placed upon her in taking her only child. While the Danes celebrate the death of Grendel, the mother crawls into the great hall, reclaiming her son's arm and murdering everyone in her path. Eventually Beowulf strikes against her as well leaving behind no evident creatures in the Kingdom. Grendel’s mother is predominantly presented as a heartless monster but her actions only negate this conception. All of her actions resemble that of a woman scorned. This is a most human reaction to such a situation. In observing her actions, versus her position within the story as another monster for Beowulf to overcome, it must be acknowledged that her true role is that of a loving mother.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Pooka aka Phouka or Puca

(H.R.N.)

The Pooka is the most feared fairy in Ireland because of its checkered reputation.  The Pooka fairy can take many forms, although it is most often in the form of a dark horse with yellow eyes. (The Pooka) The fairy is feared by the Irish because of it’s shape shifting abilities. The possibilities of deceit are endless with the mischievous and malicious creature. The Pooka is interesting because it takes relish in fooling mankind into abysmal situations. Rather than physically harm a human the Pooka is more villainous and vindictive than that method of torture. The fairy will terrorize man by destroying farms and livestock, thus destroying man’s livelihood. The Pooka is definitely a “pure” monster, in the sense that it has no motive other than to simply create chaos. It is malice incarnate.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Haggerty, Bridget. "The Dullahan - Ireland’s Headless Horseman." The Dullahan. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. <http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/Dullahan.html>.

Heaney, Seamus. Beowulf: A New Verse Translation. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2001. Print.

"The Pooka." Irish Fairies. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Dec. 2012. <http://www.irelandseye.com/paddy3/monstatxt2i.htm>.