The Monstrous Middle Ages by Bettina Bildhauer

Imagining the Medieval in Contemporary Culture

This scholarly work delves into the complex and often misunderstood perceptions of monstrosity during the medieval period. It explores how medieval society constructed and interpreted the concept of the "monster," examining its cultural, religious, and social implications. By analyzing various texts, artworks, and historical accounts, the book reveals how these monstrous figures were used to define the boundaries of humanity, morality, and the unknown. It challenges modern assumptions about the Middle Ages, offering a nuanced perspective on how fear and fascination with the monstrous shaped medieval thought and identity.

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