Essay Sample on What Defines a Monster?

Many people have different definitions of monsters which infers that people cling to various views regarding the same. Most people, however, agree that a monster is a giant imaginary creature that is very frightening and ugly although there are others who have different views on the same. However, there are three strategies of definitions that include definition by example, definition by function, and definition by negation. The essay will discuss these three strategies used when defining a monster in this context.

Definition by Function

In the context of the definition of the function, a monster refers to a large fictitious ugly-looking creature that is frightening to the general population. Most people agree that monsters are large and cruel and as such, it can infer a lot of things or people in the real world. For instance, in the real world, a hurricane can be depicted as a monster due to its monstrous havoc that it causes in peoples home. There are also catastrophic events that can be described as a monster for example earthquakes and floods. The reason why such events are depicted as such is since they cannot be easily tamed by people and therefore its effects can be catastrophic. In governments, some people have been dubbed as monsters due to their frightening ways of handling situations on hand. One example is the Nazi leader Hitler who killed many people during his tenure. Therefore, monster definition by function can infer a lot of things and hence the reader should be keen to know which one is applicable in those situations.

Definition by Example

An example of a monster is the Nemean lion. The lion was courageous and could not get killed even by stones or bronze. The Nemean lion demonstrated its strength through physical supremacy and brutality. Another good example of a monster is the Griffin which was an unbearable monster that has the body of a lion. Interestingly, the monster has a head and two wings of an eagle. A significant number of people believe that the monster is real as it guards treasure. The monster is a blend of the lion which is the king of all the beasts and the eagle which is the king of all the birds. Moreover, another example of a monster is the Sphinx which was a lion that had the head of a human being. The monster used to guard the doors that led to the city of Greek. Whenever a visitor required the access to the city, they were required to solve a particular riddle. Also, the monster did not apply violence to safeguard the gate.

Definition by Negation

In the context of the definition by negation, it is proper to explain the definition of monster by disagreeing with what other people say about it. Most people believe that a monster is an imaginary creature that is ugly and scary although nothing has proved that monsters did exist ever in this world. Monsters in no way can be connected to such a being or creature, and hence this would disqualify the definition as wrong. In true definition, a monster is something that can be recognized as big and which can bring to the people difficulties to manage. Therefore, it is not a creature, but it is something that is extremely big and scary. Some people also believe that a monster cannot be equated to someone which is not necessarily true. One of the definitions of a monster is someone who can be cruel and evil which therefore does not necessarily mean that that person is huge.

ConclusionThe definitions discussed above agree that a monster is something thats hard to manage or bring rude behavior that most people would feel bad. The three definitions are important in exploring the different definitions of a monster and hence they should be used well in the contexts that have been provided.