The Kraken

Trent Andrews

#### Summary

The Kraken is a giant squid like sea creature that is said to be an enormous size. The Kraken is a commonly known creature known for taking down ships and eating their crew. The Kraken is a legendary creature that many people today know by name. It is commonly seen as a monster or antagonist in stories and an encounter that you likely would not survive through tales. The Kraken is a widely published creature and likely has the most tales out of all crypted. The Kraken is largely a threat to sea travel and is commonly known to live around the Atlantic Ocean, where it preys on ships and whales. The creature has had no major scientific developments besides possible relation to the giant squid (Architeuthis dux). But even with little scientific evidence there are still unexplained shipwrecks and the fact that only around %5 of the ocean has been explored.

#### History & Encounters

The Krakens origins go back to Norway in the 16th century. Many writers around this time began publishing tales and stories of giant squid/octopus like sea creatures attacking whales and ships at sea. It is a common misconception that its origins are in Greek mythology, and this is majorly due to depiction in the media and Hollywood. This is discussed further in the analysis section.

The Kraken was a tale of many sailor stories before getting its first credited description by Erik Ludvigsen Pontoppidan in 1753. Erik Ludvigsen Pontoppidan was born on 24 August 1698. He was an author, historian and a Lutheran bishop. He argued for the existence of the Kraken, sea serpents, and mermaids in his two volumes of, *Forsøk til Norges naturlige historie*. Pontoppidan wrote that the Kraken could often be mistaken as an island with many fish swimming around it and goes on to take about how sailors would often risk getting close to it to fish the swarms of fish. He also claimed to have found a younger Kraken washed up onto the shore in Norway. Many speculate that this could have been a giant squid, which can grow up to 50 feet in length.

Many credit Pontoppidan for his description of the kraken. He is even mentioned by name in both Thousand leagues under the sea and Moby dick. Pontoppidan and other writers of his time helped to spread tales of the Kraken everywhere, and to this day it is likely one of the most well-known creatures. Stories of the Kraken are mostly moving towards it being a pop culture creature rather than that of a crypted. Though to Sailers, you may find a different response.

## Adaptations

#### "Clash of the Titans"

In the 1981 and the 2010 movies, Clash of the Titans, the kraken is featured as a giant sea monster and is even referred to as the kraken in the movie. In the movie depiction it looks less like a giant squid/ octopus like creature and more of a massive monster with limbs. This film takes place during a Greek mythos and features many other creatures that relate to this theme, including the Greek gods. This creature is under containment of the gods and of Poseidon, being their pet in the 1981 depiction. It is eventually released with a very iconic line and sent out to destroy the city of Argos to punish the king. The creature is eventually turned to stone with the use of medusas head by the main character of the movie before it is able to completely destroy the city. It then crumbles and falls into the ocean.

#### Other Adaptations

**Film**

* Pirates of the Caribbean
* Clash of Titans (1981)
* Clash of Titans (2010)
* Hotel Transylvania 3

**Video Games**

* Sea of Thieves
* Fable
* God of War II
* Tomb Raider: Underworld

**Literature**

* Dungeons And Dragons
* Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
* Moby Dick
* The Kraken

#### Analysis

The Kraken has been featured in so many books, games, and movies. It is often easier seek as a creature of pop culture. Its origins were even greatly altered in the minds of many people by the movie Clash of the Titans. This movie's depiction of the Kraken caused many people to believe that the first stories of the Kraken were around ancient Greece, when in reality it was in the 16th century by sailors and other Nordic writers. The themes of the Kraken, however, seem more well preserved through the course of time. For the most part when someone thinks of the Kraken a giant squid like, ship destroying sea creature comes to mind. This is because of the way the creature continues to be depicted in stories and throughout pop culture.

## References

#### Works Cited

1. Pontoppidan, Erich. *Forsøk Til Norges Naturlige Historie, 1753.*
2. Melville, Herman. *Moby-Dick*. 1851. Richard Bentley, 1851.
3. Verne, Jules. *Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea*. 1887.
4. Warner Bros. Clash of Titans, 1981.