Evil Twins? The Role of the Monsters in Beowulf
Bruce, Alexander M.
Medieval Forum, vol. 6 (2007)
Abstract
When we consider the balanced contrast between Beowulf and the monsters he faces, we might be tempted to classify the poem as an “evil twin” story; certainly example after example points to an intentional highlighting of a Beowulf-monster association. Yet the poet went beyond what we may consider a cliché plot motif to a greater issue: how human beings have a monstrous side, and how at times it is truly difficult to tell monster from human and at times so much easier, because the humans are so much more monstrous.
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Evil Twins? The Role of the Monsters in Beowulf
Bruce, Alexander M.
Medieval Forum, vol. 6 (2007)
Abstract
When we consider the balanced contrast between Beowulf and the monsters he faces, we might be tempted to classify the poem as an “evil twin” story; certainly example after example points to an intentional highlighting of a Beowulf-monster association. Yet the poet went beyond what we may consider a cliché plot motif to a greater issue: how human beings have a monstrous side, and how at times it is truly difficult to tell monster from human and at times so much easier, because the humans are so much more monstrous.
Click here to read/download this article (HTML file)
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