GLR September-October 2023

inal fashion: Grendel has an erection upon touching Beowulf ’ s penis and ejaculates copiously on the hero ’ s genitals as he bellows “ RRRRRHHHH !!! ” While The Comics Journal critic Jake Murel is perplexed and scandalized by the extra-textual image, Pavlinich interprets it as a rendering of the homo eroticism of medieval homosocial warrior culture. The same ethos is commonly invoked in nationalistic propaganda, particularly of the fascist type. In the past (or in American football), manliness, toughness, and camaraderie are at once bound by, yet threatened by, homosexuality. Deftly relying on Lacanian ana lytic interpretation (via queer theorist Judith Butler), Pavlinich explains how Grendel ’ s desire literally em bodies homoeroticism as monstrous and Other. His ejaculation on Beowulf is a degradation (like bukkake facial cum shots) as well as evidence of Grendel ’ s lack of civility and self-control. Yet both monster and hero belong to a fundamentally phallocentric culture. Pavlinich draws on the current notion of toxic mas culinity to reflect on the interconnected sexism and homophobia that underlie ideals of violent virility in the Middle Ages and today. Readers of this magazine were introduced to the gender-bend ing singer Lil Nas X, first in a review of his album Montero by Colin Carman (July-Aug. 2021) and later in a review of the video for the title song by Elan Justice Pavlinich himself (Nov.-Dec. 2021). The title refers to his given name, Montero Lamar Hill. The elaborate video for “ Montero ” is the focus of Pavlinich ’ s sec

García and Rubín ’ s illustration shows the Monster ejaculating onto Beowulf.

sweotol, seonowe onsprungon, burston banlocan. Beowulfe wearð guðhreð gyfeþe . ” ( “ The monster ’ s whole body was in pain, a tremendous wound appeared on his shoulder. Sinews split and the bone-lapping burst. Beowulf was granted the glory of winning. ” ) The original text is orgasmic in a grisly way, and García and Rubín illustrate the climactic scene in a totally orig

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