Monster 65071 225950056 2008-07-16T04:20:12Z Chrislk02 1313011 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/76.19.135.171|76.19.135.171]] to last version by Xp54321 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Refimprove|date=June 2006}} {{this|the [[legendary creature]]|Monster (disambiguation)}} A '''monster''' is any of a large number of [[legendary creature]]s which usually appear in [[mythology]], [[legend]], and [[horror fiction]]. The word originates from the ancient [[Latin]] ''[[:la:monstrum|monstrum]]'', meaning "[[omen]]", from the root of ''[[:wikt:monere|monere]]'' ("to warn") and also meaning "prodigy" or "miracle". [[Image:stgeorge-dragon.jpg|right|thumb|[[Saint George]] versus the Dragon, by [[Gustave Moreau]] (1880)]] The term "monster" refers to a being that is a gross exception to the norms of some ecosystem. Usually characterized by an ability to destroy human life or humanity, more than an example of "[[survival of the fittest]]", natural law, or innate evil. A person referred to as a monster is taken as exceptionally evil, grotesque, unreasonably strict and uncaring, [[Antisocial personality disorder|sociopathic]], and/or [[sadistic]]. The word monster connotes something wrong/evil; e.g.: a monstrous being is: very morally objectionable, physically or psychologically hideous, or a biological sport (a distinct sense of the word), i.e a freak of nature. ==Social concept== Monsters appear in many of the earliest epics, [[Mythology|myths]] and legends of mankind. Often, such creatures are represented as human-animal hybrids, combinations of various animals, or humans or animals with unusual features such as [[Giant (mythology)|great size]] or [[Multi-headed animal|multiple heads]]. For instance, in [[Middle Eastern mythology|ancient Near Eastern mythology]] one can find creatures such as the aqrabuamelu or [[Scorpion man|scorpion men]], the primordial sea dragon [[Tiamat]], the [[Humbaba]], numerous [[demon]]s (including [[Lilith]] and [[Pazuzu]]). Another race of monsters, the [[Apkallu]], were seven half-fish half-human beings whom the Sumerians claimed were sent by the God Enki to teach mortals the arts of civilization. Similarly, the Egyptian [[Sphinx]] is believed to have been a guardian figure. However, many of the best known monsters come from [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Roman mythology]]. Examples of these include such creatures as the immortal [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] bird, the one-eyed [[cyclops|cyclopes]] (the most famous of whom was [[Polyphemus]]), the [[Chimera (mythology)|chimera]], the [[harpy|harpies]], the [[minotaur]], [[Scylla]] and [[Charybdis]] from Homer's Odyssey, and the [[gorgon]]s (including [[Medusa]]). The hero [[Heracles]] fought, killed or subdued numerous monsters in his 12 labors, including the [[Nemean lion]], [[Lernaean Hydra]], [[Stymphalian birds]], [[Geryon]] and the three-headed hound [[Cerberus]]. Writers like [[Herodotus]], [[Natural History (Pliny)|Pliny]] and even [[Aristotle#Biology_and_medicine|Aristotle]] included numerous monsters in his works, such as giant gold mining ants, [[cynocephali|dog-headed people]], [[dragon]]s, people with no head and a face on their chest, people with feet so big they could use them for shade like an umbrella. Medieval European and Middle Eastern scholars eagerly added to Classical traditions of monsters. [[bestiary|Medieval bestiaries]] describe numerous animals, both real and mythic, attributing moral lessons to their behavior. Creatures from classical mythology such as the human-faced [[manticore]], [[unicorn]], [[mermaid]], [[griffin]], [[Lamia (mythology)|lamia]] and [[hippocamp]] were disseminated through interest in Greek and Roman culture. Other local creatures also became prominent as well. The gigantic [[Roc (mythology)|Roc]], flesh-eating [[ghoul|ghuls]] and malicious [[genie|djinn]] feature prominently in ancient [[Persian literature|Persian]] legendary, such as the [[One Thousand and One Nights|Thousand and One Nights]]. Norse legends told of fearsome [[troll]]s, [[jötunn]] and [[surtr]], [[Elf#Elves_in_Norse_mythology|alfar]], [[dwarf|dwarves]], the [[fenrir|fenris wolf]] and the [[kraken]], amongst others. Celtic legends also refer to numerous fantastic creatures as well, like the [[Cu Sìth]], [[banshee]], the skinless [[Nuckalavee]] and Scotland's [[redcap]]. English monsters include the [[lindorm]] and [[Grendel]] from the epic of [[Beowulf]]. Asian culture is also replete with numerous fantastic creatures. Demons such as the [[Asura]], [[Danava]], [[Daitya]] and shape-shifting [[Rakshasa]] frequently oppose the Divine ''devas'' (demi-gods or gods) in [[Hinduism]]. Out of these four words: ''asura'', ''dānava'', ''daitya'' and ''rākshasa'', often used interchangeably today to denote the wicked demons, the term ''dānava'' actually means or is closest to ''monster''. The [[Ramayana]], popular across the [[Indian subcontinent]] and [[Southeast Asia]], tells the story of King Rama as he tries to rescue his true love Sita from the Rakshasa king [[Ravana]] in [[Sri Lanka|Lanka]]. Other beings, such as the [[Nāga]], [[vanara]] and [[Makara (Hindu mythology)|makara]], could be more benevolent. Malay folklore tells of the [[Penanggalan]], a witch who could detach her head from her body, and the Filipinos have creatures like the [[aswang]], [[tikbalang]], [[kapre]] and [[manananggal]]. East Asian also has many distinct monsters, such as the [[Oni (folklore)|oni]], [[tengu]], [[kappa]], [[kitsune]] and numerous [[yokai]]. Chinese stories tell of the jiang shi, undead monsters who sometimes plague the living. In contrast to western mythology, [[Chinese dragon|dragons]] in East Asia are usually wise and benevolent. Before Europeans explored the world, [[sea serpent]]s and monsters were said to lurk in the unknown corners of the world. Parts of 'monsters', real or imagined, frequently featured [[Cabinet of curiosities|cabinets of curiosities]] in Europe. Other monsters were recorded by missionaries, explorers and naturalists. Father Jacques Marquette reported seeing a Native American painting of the [[Piasa|Piasa bird]] when exploring the Mississippi, and Australian settlers told tales of the [[bunyip]] and Queensland tiger. In American folklore includes fantastic creatures like the [[hodag]], [[wampus cat]], [[hoop snake]] and other [[fearsome critters]]. This led to numerous hoaxes such as the [[fur-bearing trout]], [[jackalope]] and giant locusts which often feature on postcards and the like. More dramatic hoaxes from the 19th century include the cardiff giant, [[fiji mermaid]], [[Ameranthropoides loysi|de Loy's ape]], the [[Cottingley fairies]] and the Tombstone 'thunderbird' photo. [[Percy Fawcett|Col. Percy Fawcett]] reported seeing giant anacondas in the Amazon, and [[giant squid]] were discovered to be real creatures rather than myth. [[Image:The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Grünewald) detail.jpg|right|240px|thumb|Detail from ''[[The Temptation of St. Anthony]]'' by [[Matthias Grünewald]], 1515.]] ===Religion and mythology=== In ancient [[Greek mythology|Greek]] and [[Norse mythology|Norse mythologies]], monsters are often depicted as enemies of the gods. [[Ragnarok]] (of Norse mythology) referred to the final battle between the virtuous gods of [[Asgard]] and the many monsters of the world. [[Ancient]] peoples often considered "freaks" to be demonstrations of the wrath of the gods. The first so-called monsters were showpieces in traveling carnival freakshows, and were often people afflicted with disfiguring conditions like [[elephantiasis]]. Fictional monsters are often depicted with decent intentions-- and a grotesque physical appearance leading to unfortunate misunderstandings. Some prominent examples include ''[[King Kong]]'', ''[[Frankenstein's Monster]]'', and the ''[[Horta (Star Trek)|Horta]]'' in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' episode, "[[The Devil in the Dark]]". Monsters of ancient mythology tend to be ruthless menaces that kill indiscriminately, only to be eventually slain by a legendary hero, as in ''[[Beowulf]]'', and ''[[Saint George]] and the [[Dragon]]''. ==Monsters in literature== The relationship between art and monstrousness was a pervasive theme in [[Victorian era|Victorian-era]] horror literature, where science was often depicted as not only studying monsters, but producing them as well. Notable examples include ''[[Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde]]'' and ''[[Frankenstein]]''. ==Monsters in philosophy== Contemporary philosophers such as [[Lorraine Daston]] have mused about the relationship between monster depictions and the role of science in a given society. Monsters also appear in a variety of philosophical works (including those of Aristotle, Augustine, Montaigne, Locke, Leibniz, Diderot, and so on). <ref>see ''Monsters and Philosophy'', ed. by Charles Wolfe (London, 2005; and http://www.monstersandphilosophy.com)</ref>. ==Monsters in film and television== ===Pre-World War II=== During the age of silent movies, monsters tended to be human-sized, e.g., [[Frankenstein's monster]], the [[Golem]], and [[vampire]]s. The film ''[[Siegfried]]'' featured a [[dragon]] that was actually a giant puppet on tracks. A few movie [[dinosaur]]s were created with the use of [[stop-motion]] animated models, as in [[RKO]]'s ''King Kong'', the first giant monster film of the sound era. [[Universal Studios]] specialized in monsters, with [[Bela Lugosi]]'s reprising his stage role, [[Dracula]], and [[Boris Karloff]] playing [[Frankenstein]]'s monster. The studio also made several lesser films, such as ''Man-Made Monster'', starring [[Lon Chaney, Jr.]] as an electrically reanimated zombie. There was also a variant of Dr. Frankenstein, the mad surgeon Dr. Gogol (played by [[Peter Lorre]]), who transplanted hands that were reanimated with malevolent temperaments, in the film ''[[Mad Love (1935 film)|Mad Love]]''. [[Werewolves]] were introduced in films during this period, and similar creatures were presented in ''[[Cat People (1942 film)|Cat People]]''. [[mummy|Mummies]] were cinematically depicted as fearsome monsters as well. As for giant creatures, the ''[[Flash Gordon]]'' [[Serial (film)|serial]] used a costumed actor (with crude special effects) to depict a large dragon. The cinematic monster cycle eventually wore thin, having a comedic turn in ''[[Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein]]'' (1948). ===Post [[World War II]]=== After World War II, however, giant monsters returned to the screen with a vigor that has been causally linked to the development of [[nuclear weapon]]s. One early example occurred in the American film ''[[The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms]]'', which was about a [[dinosaur]] that attacked a lighthouse. Subsequently, there were [[Japan]]ese film depictions, ([[Godzilla]], [[Gamera]]), British depictions ([[Gorgo (film)|Gorgo]]), and even [[Scandinavia]]n depictions ([[Reptilicus]]), of giant monsters attacking cities. The most recent depiction of a giant monster is the monster in [[J. J. Abrams]]'s ''[[Cloverfield]]'', which was released in theaters January 18, 2008. The intriguing proximity of other [[planet]]s brought the notion of extraterrestrial monsters to the big screen, some of which were huge in size, (such as [[King Ghidorah]] and [[Gigan]]), while others were of a more human scale. During this period, the [[fish]]-man monster was developed in the film series ''[[Creature from the Black Lagoon]]''. Britain's [[Hammer Film Productions]] brought [[colour]] to the monster movies in the late [[1950]]s. Around this time, the earlier Universal films were usually shown on American television by independent stations (rather than network stations) by using announcers with strange personae, who gained legions of young fans. Although they have since changed considerably, movie monsters did not entirely disappear from the big screen as they did in the late 1940s. Occasionally, monsters are depicted as friendly or misunderstood creatures. The creatures of ''[[Monsters Inc.]]'' scare children in order to create [[energy]] for running machinery, while the furry monsters of ''[[The Muppets]]'' and ''[[Sesame Street]]'' live in harmony with animals and humans alike. Frankenstein's Monster is frequently depicted in this manner, in films such as ''[[Monster Squad]]'' and ''[[Van Helsing (film)|Van Helsing]]''. ==Other usages== {{Trivia|date=July 2008}} Monsters are a frequent mainstay of [[role-playing game|role-playing]] and [[video game]]s, in which the creatures are often (but not always) large, powerful, [[evil]] and menacing. (An example of a monster ''par excellence'' would be the [[dragon]]). During Halloween, monster images are used in costumes for children, who will often dress like popular monsters from films and television shows. Monsters have appeared in the "news" stories of popular tabloids such as the ''[[Weekly World News]]'' and ''The National Enquirer''. In [[heavy metal]] and [[Gothic rock]], frequent references are made to monsters. The Finnish band ''[[Lordi]]'', who rose to international fame in 2006 after winning the Eurovision Song Festival Contest, wear monster costumes with hideous masks. Also the band [[GWAR]] wears the outfits in the [[heavy metal]] "[[shock rock]]" era. ==See also== {{wiktionarypar|monster}} *[[List of species in fantasy fiction]] *[[List of monsters]] *[[Lake monster]] *[[Legendary creature]] *[[Sea monster]] *[[Monster Movie]] *[[Orcs]] *[[Mutant]] *[[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] *[[Freak]] *[[Cryptozoology]] *[[Ogre]] ==References== {{Reflist}} [[Category:Legendary creatures]] [[Category:Mythemes]] [[Category:Horror]] [[Category:Fantasy]] [[Category:Fictional monsters]] [[Category:Folklore]] [[Category:Extraterrestrial life]] [[ca:Monstre]] [[da:Uhyre]] [[de:Monster]] [[es:Monstruo]] [[eo:Monstro]] [[eu:Munstro]] [[fr:Monstre]] [[gd:Uilebheist]] [[ko:괴물]] [[id:Monster]] [[it:Mostro]] [[he:מפלצות וחיות אגדיות]] [[la:Monstrum]] [[nl:Monster (wezen)]] [[ja:怪物]] [[no:Monster]] [[pl:Potwór]] [[pt:Monstro]] [[ru:Монстр]] [[fi:Hirviö]] [[sv:Monster]] [[tr:Canavar]] [[uk:Монстр]]