Guest Natalie Lawrence, a historian of science and author of 'Enchanted Creatures,' dives into the captivating world of monsters. She explores 15,000 years of storytelling, unraveling how figures like dragons and Godzilla mirror our fears and desires. Their symbolism in creation myths, especially the monstrous feminine embodied by Medusa, showcases societal anxieties. Lawrence also discusses the evolving portrayal of dinosaurs and Godzilla, revealing how these creatures transform from symbols of destruction to reflections of inner conflict and nature's power.
40:33
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Monsters Reflect Ourselves
We turn unknown things into monsters.
We project parts of ourselves onto other creatures and the natural world, revealing our relationship with nature.
insights INSIGHT
The Fascination with Monsters
Our fascination with monsters stems from our inherent biophilia, curiosity towards strange things, and the symbolic value we place on creatures.
We enjoy the dreamlike and imaginative quality of combining creatures in unusual ways.
insights INSIGHT
Defining Monsters
Monsters often transgress boundaries, crossing between human and animal, species, or social norms.
They reveal something meaningful that we try to avoid, like projecting our own violent tendencies onto other groups.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
In 'Stone Blind', Natalie Haynes reinterprets the myth of Medusa, emphasizing the complex and tragic story of a mortal woman within a family of gods. The narrative delves into Medusa’s transformation after being assaulted by Poseidon and punished by Athene, resulting in her hair being replaced by snakes and her gaze turning living creatures to stone. Haynes brings empathy and nuance to this classic myth, highlighting themes of blame, punishment, and the monsterization of women. The book also explores the broader context of Greek mythology, offering a rich and detailed retelling that challenges traditional views of Medusa and her story.
Enchanted Creatures
Our Monsters and Their Meanings
Natalie Lawrence
In 'Enchanted Creatures,' Natalie Lawrence embarks on a fascinating journey through human imagination and mythology, exploring the incredible variety of monstrous creatures we have created over 15,000 years. The book plumbs the depths of science, mythology, art, and human psychology, revealing how these creatures embody our anxieties, irrational terrors, and help us manage the complexity of our minds. It covers a wide range of monsters, from prehistoric cave beasts to modern science fiction entities, and how they have shaped our minds, societies, and our understanding of our place in nature.
What makes a monster, and why do they fascinate us? Dr Natalie Lawrence unravels 15,000 years of human storytelling through the tales of creatures like dragons, Medusa, and even Godzilla. Speaking to Rachel Dinning, Natalie explores how monsters have embodied our fears, projected our desires, and bridged the natural and supernatural worlds.
(Ad) Natalie Lawrence is the author of Enchanted Creatures: Our Monsters and Their Meanings (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Enchanted-Creatures-Monsters-Their-Meanings/dp/1474619010/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.
History Extra podcast 
