Monsters, Gender and Sexuality in Medieval English Literature

by Dana M. Oswald

Monsters abound in Old and Middle English literature, from Grendel and his mother in Beowulf to those found in medieval romances such as Sir Gowther. Through a close examination of the way in which their bodies are sexed and gendered, and drawing from postmodern theories of gender, identity, and subjectivity, this book interrogates medieval notions of the body and the boundaries of human identity. Case studies of Wonders of the East, Beowulf, Mandeville's Travels, the Alliterative Morte Arthure, and Sir Gowther reveal a shift in attitudes toward the gendered and sexed body, and thus toward identity, between the two periods: while Old English authors and artists respond to the threat of the gendered, monstrous form by erasing it, Middle English writers allow transgressive and monstrous bodies to transform and therefore integrate into society. This metamorphosis enables redemption for some monsters, while other monstrous bodies become dangerously flexible and invisible, threatening the communities they infiltrate. These changing cultural reactions to monstrous bodies demonstrate the precarious relationship between body and identity in medieval literature. Dana M. Oswald is Assistant Professor of English, University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

236 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 2010

Reviews

[M F]

I think I'm basically studying for a degree in monsters at this point. Mostly werewolves, but sometimes other monsters. I love them.

[Joe White · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent study of the construction, suppression, sublimation and transformation of monstrous bodies in Old and Middle English literature. Texts discussed include the Wonders of the East, Beowulf, Mandeville's Travels, the Alliterative Morte Arthure and Sir Gowther. If you have an interest in medieval (or modern) monster theory--the likes of, for example, Jeffrey Jerome Cohen et al.--I'd definitely recommend this volume. It's accessible, well articulated and offers a number of interesting, unique insights into medieval monsters.

[Mills College Library]

820.93709 O86 2010