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Natalie Hopwood

Profile

I am a PhD candidate in the School of English researching the use of monstrosity in Old Norse sagas, working with examples of dragons, dwarfs, and the undead. My previous research includes an overview of the figure of the Old Norse dragon in my undergraduate MA in Medieval History at the University of St Andrews and an analysis of the undead episodes of Eyrbyggja saga in my MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge. My research focus is on Old Norse literature, the supernatural occurrences therein, and cultural desires that drive encounters between heroes and monsters. I also work on the cultural reception of Old Norse mythology in modern fiction, with a specific focus on comic books and associated adaptations. This has included the works of Neil Gaiman, Roy Thomas, Al Ewing, and Jack Kirby.

Research interests

  • The supernatural in Old Norse literature 

  • Cultural use and impact of monsters and monstrosity in Old Norse literature 

  • The role of the hero and heroic ideals in Old Norse literature

  • Medieval conceptions of desire and want

  • Reception of medieval literature in American and British comic books

  • The use of Old Norse mythology as a propaganda tool in twentieth century comic books

Qualifications

  • MPhil in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic (University of Cambridge, 2021-22)
  • MA in Medieval History (University of St Andrews, 2017-2021)