The Giant Squid In Mythology

The Giant Squid in Mythology

Everyone is familiar with the myth of the Kraken and the Hydra or at least a similar story and most people believe them to be just that myths. These people however would be wrong while the real life isn’t as exaggerated or fanciful as the myths it is still an extremely impressive creature to behold. Giant and colossal squids are the real life counterparts of many sea monsters and have lead to the creation of many recognizable figures and movies. Both the colossal and giant squid were probably the source of many myths but they have some key differences. The colossal squid lives closer to the poles then the giant squid and isn’t as globally found as the giant squid making the giant squid the more likely seen creature

In 20,000 Leagues under the Sea Jules Verne depicts a battle between Captain Nemo and a large “cuttlefish” similar to the giant squid and kraken and slips in a few real life accounts as well (Brundige). Moby Dick by Herman Melville features a two page description of a giant squid no doubt based on real life accounts. In H.P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu "A pulpy, tentacled head surmounted a grotesque and scaly body with rudimentary wings; but it was the general outline of the whole which made it most shockingly frightful.” is the description of the cosmic entity that can be found all across popular culture (Brundige). In this description we see the influence of the Kraken and ultimately the giant squid. Hollywood isn’t lacking in movies featuring the giant squid and it’s subsequent creatures. The joy of CGI has brought alive the giant squid in Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Clash of the Titans which adds a greek spin to the norse Kraken, The Watcher in the Water was depicted as a giant squid in Fellowship of the Ring based on Tolkien’s drawings and we see a faithful adaptation of the Kraken in Pirates of Caribbean Dead Man’s