The ogre monster - Essay Example

In investigating the monster phenomenon, this essay examines the mythical ogre monster in terms of a variety of analytical criteria. Perhaps the most overarching consideration is what culture the ogre emerged. With the odd name and scary connotations, one might expect an ogre to have emerged from a barren culture, but this would be an inaccurate assumption. While the ogre has subsequently assumed a prominent place in many societies, scholars believe the monster is originally a French invention.

Indeed, the first recorded instance of the ogre is dated to the Chretien de Troyes’ fictional work Perceval the Story of the Grail. In this story, Troyes refers on numerous occasions to a monster specifically known as an ‘ogre’ (Groos, p. 81). While scholars recognize this 12th century account as the original use of the term ogre, since that period it gained more developed forms of expression, still the term remained most prominently implemented in French society. It wasn’t until Charles Perrault, however, that the ogre became highly popularized.

One will recognize Perrault as the author of such seminal stories as Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty (Drake, p. 204). In addition to Perrault the ogre was also a figure in Countess d'Aulnoy’s fairytales. Since this time period the ogre has become a major monster in Western culture. While the ogre has assumed a variety of contexts there is the general understanding that it is a giant monster that walks on its legs. It is a generally understood to have an ugly and beastly appearance (Gee, p. 333). The monster seems to fit into the ‘monsters within us’ scheme.

In this way the ogre can be read as a metaphor on scary or foreboding individuals that we all fear. Their giant and beastly characteristics similarly could be used to describe large bikers or scary men. It seems that for French culture the ogre represents a similar fear of beastly and evil monsters. There are a number of pop culture references to this monster. These pop culture references seem to change the perspective of this monster. One of the most prominent recent examples is the 2008 movie called Ogre (‘Ogre’).

This television movie featured the ogre in an American context, specifically in a town that is stuck in 1800. Notably, this use of the ogre regards it as a historical monster. Still, the dark and brooding type beast figure is consistent with other depictions of the creature. Another prominent pop culture reference to ogre is the Lord of the Rings series (Rose, p. 109). This series indicated that the ogre was a fictional species of monster. Still, in this context, the ogre was only indirectly referred to and limited information about their form is given.

Finally, in a number of instances the ogre name has been borrowed, but incorporated into a different context. For instance, a variety of computer programs, design simulations, and even a board game has been name after the ogre. Still, in these instances the name does not refer to any specific monster, but is merely borrowed from this monster. In conclusion, this essay has investigated the ogre phenomenon. Within this context of investigation the research demonstrates that the ogre originally emerged in 12th century France.

The ogre was later popularized by 12th century French writer Charles Perrault. Since this time period the ogre has been used in a variety of contexts, including contemporary pop culture. Ultimately, it’