Gender Transcending- Workshop Four- Beasts and Monsters

4. Beasts, Monsters and Fairytales

In the fourth workshop, we will expand on the theme of metamorphosis by delving into the concepts of "beasts" and "monsters" in society. Drawing on theories from selected works such as Marina Warner’s The Beast and the Blonde and No Go the Bogeyman, we will examine the queering of protagonists and antagonists, as well as heroes and villains. This exploration will reveal how these binary tropes in narratives both reflect and propagate societal narratives.

Warner’s analysis of how monsters and beasts are portrayed in literature and folklore provides a rich foundation for understanding the complex interplay between otherness and societal norms. By queering these narratives, we challenge traditional interpretations and open up new perspectives on identity and transformation.

This session will encourage participants to critically engage with the roles of heroes and villains, questioning how these characters are constructed and what they signify in terms…