Goliath As Gentle Giant
Sympathetic Portrayals in Popular Culture
Abstract
In the Hebrew Bible and stories loyal to it, Goliath is the stereotypical giant of folklore: big, brash, violent, and dimwitted. Goliath as Gentle Giant sets out to rehabilitate the giant’s image by exploring the origins of the biblical behemoth, the limitations of the “underdog” metaphor, and the few sympathetic treatments of Goliath in popular media. What insights emerge when we imagine things from Goliath’s point of view? How might this affect our reading of the biblical account or its many retellings and interpretations? What sort of man was Goliath really? The nuanced portraits analyzed in this book serve as a catalyst to challenge readers to question stereotypes, reexamine old assumptions, and humanize the “other.”
Schlagworte
Religion Religion and Film Religious Studies Pop Culture Popular Culture Science Fiction Jewish Studies Film Studies Comic Book Studies Malcolm Gladwell Hebrew Bible Mythology Biblical Studies Tom Gauld Xena: Warrior Princess- 21–40 Source Materials 21–40
- 41–64 Xena’s Goliath 41–64
- 85–112 Tom Gauld’s Goliath 85–112
- 113–122 Conclusion 113–122
- 123–130 Appendix 123–130
- 131–148 Bibliography 131–148
- 149–156 Index 149–156
- 157–158 About the Author 157–158