Literary Student Association Flanor - English

Ensnared by the Spider: Human-Spider Relations from Arachne to Spiderman

Few animals evoke as much fear as spiders—a remarkable feat for such a commonplace and (mostly) harmless creature. This lecture explores the tangled webs of meaning we have spun around spiders and how they shape our ambivalent attitudes toward them. We will (re)visit Arachne's tragic transformation, marvel at spiders' unrivalled weaving abilities, taste the horror of saints who swallowed arachnids, and witness how these eight-legged figures continue to elude our storied grasp.

Sven Gins is a PhD researcher at the University of Groningen. His research concerns human-animal-machine relations in medieval Christianity. In addition, he cultivates an interest for how popular culture, especially modern games, reimagines medieval heritage. In 2025, the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (KNAW) selected him as one of their new 'Faces of Science'.

There will be plenty of spider footage, so viewer discretion is advised.

 

If you are not (yet) a Flanor member but would like to attend this lecture, you can get a ticket through Usva: https://www.usva.nl/cursus-usva/usva-x-flanor-animal-encounters-1.

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