The crisis of violence: Warfare, genetics, and culture in Old English and Old Norse texts

Eric R Carlson, Purdue University

Abstract

This study analyzes the literary presentation of warfare in Old English and Old Norse texts in terms of the "crisis of violence." There are competing biological urges within humans regarding the proper use of collective violence and peaceful altruism. On the one hand, humans have a biological capacity for intraspecific violence and utilize this urge to enhance genetic determinism via the acquisition of essential resources; on the other hand, there is also evidence that humans have an innate revulsion towards intraspecific violence and at an instinctive level sense the genetic benefits of peaceful altruism towards out-groups that represent potential enemies. Because of the presence of these competing urges, this crisis of violence must be reconciled within the individual if either violence or altruism is to be the preferred path of enhancing genetic determinism. To develop this theory this study employs Girardian mimetic theory as a framework to explain the literary manifestations of these innate capacities for violence and altruism, showing that the crisis of acquisitive mimesis that Girard asserts is an extension of physiology. The discussions herein regarding forms and terminology of warfare, weaponry, and the role of the Other regarding violence show that this is apparent in Old English and Old Norse literature. The cultural constructs represented therein are ones in which the world is still a dangerous place, and failure to follow the urge for violence could lead to the destruction of the in-group. As a result, there is heavy investment with conditioning the audience to appreciate the cultural necessity of violence. However, these texts also recognize that given the choice, peace is still the preferred means of human relation, and thus one of the elemental psychological concerns of these authors is to determine within cultural constructs the appropriate moments for both violence and peace.

Degree

Ph.D.

Advisors

Hughes, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Literature|Middle Ages|British and Irish literature|Icelandic & Scandinavian literature

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