History Extra Podcast: From Dinosaurs to Godzilla – A 15,000-Year History of Monsters

Introduction

In the episode titled "From Dinosaurs to Godzilla: a 15,000-year history of monsters," hosted by Rachel Dinning of History Extra Podcast and featuring author and historian Natalie Lawrence, listeners embark on a comprehensive journey through the evolution of monsters in human storytelling. Drawing from Lawrence's book, Enchanted Creatures, the discussion delves into how monsters have mirrored societal fears, cultural beliefs, and humanity's relationship with the natural world over millennia.

Origins and Inspiration Behind Enchanted Creatures

Natalie Lawrence introduces her book by tracing her academic journey, which began with a PhD focusing on the depiction of strange beasts in early modern Europe (16th-18th centuries). She discovered that the creation of monsters often stemmed from humanity's attempt to personify the unknown and natural world's ambiguous aspects. This realization underscored the significance of monsters in understanding how humans perceive their environment and their place within it.

“We turn unknown things into monsters, and also we imbue aspects of the natural world with monstrousness because we are putting parts of ourselves out into other creatures, into the landscape, even into plants sometimes.” ([03:23])

Defining Monsters: Transgression and Revelation

When addressing the elusive definition of monsters, Lawrence emphasizes two primary characteristics: transgression and revealing quality.

1. Transgression: Monsters often break boundaries—be it between species, or societal norms. This transgression makes them inherently shocking and fascinating.

2. Revealing Quality: Monsters symbolize deeper fears or societal issues that humans might prefer to ignore or suppress.

“Monsters tend to be things that transgress boundaries in some way. And that is the reason for why they are shocking and surprising, because they do something that is transgressive.” ([07:00])

Monsters in Mythology and Religion

Lawrence explores how monsters feature prominently in various creation myths, particularly in ancient cultures. These beings often embody the chaotic forces of nature essential in the world's formation.

“There's nothing better to represent the incomprehensible natural forces involved in creating the world than a monster.” ([13:48])

She contrasts animistic pantheistic religions, where monsters coexist within the natural landscape, with monotheistic religions like Judeo-Christianity, which tend to vilify monstrousness as purely evil. This shift has profound implications on how societies perceive inherent human qualities and the natural world.

The Female Snake Monster Trope

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the recurring motif of female snake monsters, such as Medusa in Greek mythology, Lamia, and Melusine. Lawrence argues that this trope reflects deep-seated fears surrounding female power and fecundity.

“If you make a monster, you can kill it and you can steal its power. So I think the snake women really represent a lot of the problems of gender relations in history in this kind of monster making of female potency.” ([16:37])

She highlights how these creatures often symbolize the duality of creation and destruction inherent in Mother Nature, portraying women as both life-givers and potential harbingers of death.

Reimagining Traditional Monsters

The episode also touches on contemporary efforts to retell and reinterpret classic monster stories. While Lawrence appreciates the intention to demystify and humanize these creatures, she cautions against diluting their symbolic significance.

“You need to face the monsters head on a bit, just turning them into characters who aren't really that bad.” ([20:43])

Real vs. Mythical Monsters: Dinosaurs

Lawrence draws parallels between mythical dragons and real creatures like dinosaurs, which have served as inspirations for modern monsters. She discusses how paleontological discoveries and cultural shifts have continually reshaped our perception of dinosaurs.

“Dinosaurs are kind of like our pet monsters that have come with us over the last 200 years and shifted with our own sense of our technologies.” ([25:37])

This evolution reflects advancements in scientific understanding and changing societal values, demonstrating how real-world discoveries influence mythical narratives.

Godzilla: From Nuclear Nightmare to Ecological Savior

A compelling case study is the transformation of Godzilla, originally a symbol of nuclear devastation post-World War II, into an ecological protector in recent films like King of the Monsters.

“Godzilla wakes up and he takes his rightful place as the alpha of the pack and starts leading all the Kaiju to regenerate the ecosystem and undo everything that humans have done.” ([25:45])

This shift signifies a broader cultural reimagining of monsters from embodiments of fear to agents of environmental restoration.

Monsters in Literature: Grendel in Beowulf

Lawrence examines Grendel from the Anglo-Saxon epic Beowulf to illustrate how monsters can encapsulate societal anxieties. Grendel represents not only the external wildness threatening civilization but also the internal fears of societal collapse and moral decay.

“Grendel is really a representation of everything that society at that time was trying to defend themselves against and everything in the wild.” ([28:09])

She draws parallels between ancient fears and modern-day discourses on wildlife management and conservation, highlighting the persistent nature of monster symbolism.

The Modern Relationship with Monsters: Internal Fears

Lawrence posits that contemporary monsters often originate from within, reflecting internal psychological fears rather than external threats. This internalization aligns with the 20th-century recognition that evil can reside within humanity itself, as seen in the fascination with true crime and psychological thrillers.

“We became fully aware that we couldn't just push the evil outwards into other races, into distant places. The world became very well known.” ([32:05])

This introspective view of monstrosity underscores a shift in societal fears from external chaos to the potential for internal corruption.

Favorite Monster Story: The Minotaur

Concluding the episode, Lawrence shares her admiration for the Minotaur myth, not for its narrative but for its symbolic depth. The Minotaur represents the internal monsters individuals must confront and integrate within themselves.

“We try and defend against them by building all these conscious defenses and trying to hide them from ourselves and from others. And the idea that actually what we need to do is to go into our mental labyrinths and not slay the monsters, but actually befriend them.” ([34:06])

This perspective emphasizes personal growth and self-acceptance as crucial in overcoming one's inner fears and flaws.

Conclusion

The episode "From Dinosaurs to Godzilla: a 15,000-year history of monsters" offers a rich exploration of how monsters serve as mirrors reflecting humanity's evolving fears, beliefs, and societal changes. Through historical analysis and contemporary examples, Natalie Lawrence elucidates the enduring significance of monsters in understanding the human condition.

For more insightful discussions and historical narratives, subscribe to the History Extra Podcast, produced by Lewis Dobbs.