This paper analyzes the violent relationships in Beowulf（2008） based on the application of Rene Girard＇s theories of acquisitive mimesis. However, normal applications of Girard＇s work can be problematic with this ...This paper analyzes the violent relationships in Beowulf（2008） based on the application of Rene Girard＇s theories of acquisitive mimesis. However, normal applications of Girard＇s work can be problematic with this text, because reading mimetic conflict in Beowulf as focused on a single object of desire does not adequately explain the relationships between Grendel and his enemies. Normal applications of acquisitive mimesis are limited in this poem, because agent and model do not often have the same desires, and thus this paper proposes a corollary to Girard＇s theories： If we allow for two objects of desire in the rivalry--primary and secondary desires--we can account for the motivations of all mimetic rivals and acquisitive mimesis has a richer and more sustained application to this poem展开更多
文摘This paper analyzes the violent relationships in Beowulf（2008） based on the application of Rene Girard＇s theories of acquisitive mimesis. However, normal applications of Girard＇s work can be problematic with this text, because reading mimetic conflict in Beowulf as focused on a single object of desire does not adequately explain the relationships between Grendel and his enemies. Normal applications of acquisitive mimesis are limited in this poem, because agent and model do not often have the same desires, and thus this paper proposes a corollary to Girard＇s theories： If we allow for two objects of desire in the rivalry--primary and secondary desires--we can account for the motivations of all mimetic rivals and acquisitive mimesis has a richer and more sustained application to this poem
