1. MONSTERS

2. Key Terms
Archetype- pattern or model that serves as the basis for all future related versions (characters, plots, etc.)
Motif- a recurring pattern that is universal (hero quests, great flood stories, good vs evil)
Epic- long, narrative poem that tells the deeds of a larger-than-life hero (who represents the ideals and values of his culture)

3. Many cultures believe in the existence of monsters, demons, and other such creatures. While most of us consider the notion of their existence unlikely, belief in monsters is not necessarily an unreasonable belief, which is supported culturally and sometimes scientifically.

4. What is a monster?
The Oxford English Dictionary lists five definitions for monster: 1. Something extraordinary or unnatural; a prodigy, a marvel. 2. An animal or plant deviating in one or more of its parts from the normal type; spec., an animal afflicted with some congenital malformation; a misshapen birth, an abortion. 3. An imaginary animal (such as the centaur, sphinx, minotaur, or the heraldic griffin, wyvern, etc.) having a form either partly brute and partly human, or compounded of elements from two or more animal forms. 4. A person of inhuman and horrible cruelty or wickedness; a monstrous example of (wickedness, or some particular vice). 5. An animal of huge size; hence, anything of vast and unwieldy proportions.

5. Why do monsters exist in stories?
For good to exist, there must be an evil counterpart; without evil, good cannot be defined.
Characters in stories represent real life in some way.
We must be able to celebrate the deeds of our heroes (who represent what is good), so they must have something to fight against. The monster is usually the final obstacle (and represents what is evil).
Evil exists in the real world and it is represented by anything that could create fear in people.

6. Origin of Monsters in Britain: WAVES OF SETTLERS AND INVADERS

7. Monsters in Beowulf Grendel Grendel’s Mother The Dragon
monster with animal features, but human emotions (loneliness, aggression, jealousy)
an outcast; shows no remorse; could be a servant from Hell
represents the marauding invaders of the time period in Britain who are merciless and who seek to satisfy their own needs (invades at night)
Grendel’s Mother
represents evil from an underworld/Hell and vengance
Beowulf must descend into the dark depths to battle her; the battle takes place in a ring of fire
The Dragon
represents greed and evil in the form of a serpent (wyrm)
breathes fire
Christian representative of sin

8. Why do monsters exist in our minds?
Childhood fears begin many monsters. Think about fears of the Sandman, the Boogeyman, the monster in the closet/under the bed.
Darkness brings mystery, fear, a sense of danger. Monsters usually lurk in the darkness. It could be said that darkness is comparable to the parts of our mind that we cannot fully understand.

9. Monsters in Society
There has always been another group, race, or nationality that has existed in opposition to our own. They have either brought harm or just merely threatened it. Sometimes the threat is overstated as a cause for action. Sometimes the threat is real.
Modern Examples
Early-to-mid 1900s = Nazis and the Japanese (WWII)
Mid-to-late 1900s = Communists (“Red Scare”)
2000s = Terrorists

10. Do we have a need for monsters?
Are monsters created for control over a group? (citizens, children, audience, etc.)
Do we need to fight against something? (if the current “baddies” didn’t exist, would new ones be created?)
Do we create something negative to put ourselves in a more positive light?

11. Famous Monsters FICTIONAL REAL Dracula Frankenstein’s monster
Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Loch Ness Monster
Grendel
Medusa
Monsters, Inc.
Dragons
Zombies
REAL
Adolf Hitler (Nazis)
Joseph Stalin (Communists)
Osama Bin Laden
KKK
Charles Manson
School/Theater Shooters
Serial Killers/Child Molesters
Sharks/Alligators/Snakes
Zombies (?)

12. ESSAY "Yes or No—Do monsters exist?" Write an essay
defending your contention.
Consider:
Why monsters exist in stories
What monsters in stories represent as a whole
The “need” for monsters in society and in our imagination
Examples of monsters from your childhood
Examples of the way we see monsters in our society