Content Warning: Brief discussion of misogyny, antisemitism, anti-paganism, racism, and xenophobia. Brief mention of classism, colonization, and fascism. Occasional narrated graphic violence.
In this episode, I continue my oration of the myth: "Beowulf". This epic poem set in pre-Viking Denmark and Geatland comes to us from the hands of Christian scribes from the late 900s CE, though the original story is speculated to have first been written in the 700s CE. The section of the myth I tell in this episode covers the a historic betrayal between Kings, the fight between Grendel's mother and Beowulf, and finally Beowulf's return to Geatland and his King, Higlac.
We'll discuss what the monster of Grendel's mother could represent and how the formation of monsters in literature often demonizes specific people. We'll be deconstructing the imagery found within the battle between Beowulf and Grendel's mother to determine what fears were present in Scandinavian culture during the late 900s CE. Please refer to the previous episode (EP 18) if you would like a refresher on the historical reality of pre-Christian Scandinavia.
I was not aware while recording, but the "mark of Cain" was defined racially in order to rationalize the pogroms and discrimination against Romani, Jews, or darker-skinned people in Europe as early as the 1300s CE (The reference is from a Norman Franciscan Friar Symon Semeonis). This solidifies my analysis concerning the characterization of Grendel and Grendel's mother as being monsters demonizing the presence of Jews, exiles, Romani, POC, and pagans in Europe as early as the late 900s.
Thank you for listening!
You can find all of my work through the following links:
