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The Monster Archetypes In Literature

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The monster archetype has been one of the most riveting archetypes that surrounds the concept of ‘evil’. It has been portrayed as a supernatural creature with grotesque features that normally brings disruption to the city and needs to be tamed or controlled to bring once again peace to the story. Due to this, it is most commonly depicted with a negative connotation, and with the idea of horror and fear. The monster has been present since the bible, which was written approximately 3,400 years ago, with the anecdote of Goliath. It has remained with its primary role of converting the protagonist into a hero and providing fear to the storyline. The monster archetype in both modern and ancient literature has been shaped to benefit the protagonist, which is depicted with the conversion of the protagonist to the hero, the element of the climax, and its important role of protection.

Converting the protagonist into the hero

One of the main roles that the idea of a monster faces is converting the protagonist into a hero. This is …show more content…

This work of literature revolves around the protagonist, Bellerophon, whom as a sign of forgiveness towards King Proetus had to kill the savage beast, Chimera. Chimera is described as an animal with a “ head of a lion” and “a snake for a tail”. Due to its abnormalities, it is perceived as a monster in greek mythology. Bellerophon was sent to kill Chimera after he killed a guest in his wedding to Aethra. He was sent to kill this monster as it was ravishing the land and needed to be tamed in order to bring peace and forgiveness once again to the land. He rode into battle against the monster with the help of his trusty pegasus and killed it by “driving a lead-tipped spear into its fiery gullet”(citation?). After his deed was done, he was named one of the most recognizable heroes in greek mythology as he had killed a monster that was thought to be

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