New Books in Literary Studies
Sara Burdorff, "Maternity, Monstrosity, and Heroic (Im)mortality from Homer to Shakespeare" (Amsterdam UP, 2025)
Feb 2, 2025
Sara Burdorff, a scholar at Guilford College and author of "Maternity, Monstrosity, and Heroic (Im)mortality from Homer to Shakespeare," discusses her innovative approach to epic narratives. She introduces the concept of the 'belly-monstrous,' linking mothers and warriors in classical literature. Burdorff highlights the vital role of female suffering in shaping immortal legacies, reinterpreting Greek tragedies and Shakespeare's works. Her insights challenge traditional gender norms, offering fresh perspectives on monstrosity and maternity across time.
38:13
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Quick takeaways
- The podcast explores how the intersection of maternity and monstrosity in literature reframes female experiences, highlighting active roles in creation and destruction.
- Applying monster theory to ancient and early modern narratives uncovers societal anxieties about femininity, power, and the redefinition of heroic identities.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Maternity and Monstrosity
The exploration of maternity and monstrosity reveals a complex relationship where women's experiences in mythology often embody themes traditionally viewed as monstrous. The discourse suggests that the female figure in an andro-normative society is seen as the 'other,' highlighting societal fears about femininity and power. By analyzing figures like Hecuba and Clytemnestra, the narrative uncovers how maternal instincts intersect with violence, positioning these female characters in a space traditionally reserved for heroic male warriors. This connection challenges the perception of women as passive and depicts them instead as active participants in cycles of creation and destruction.
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