The Grotesqueprovides an invaluable and accessible guide to the use (and abuse) of this complex literary term. Justin D. Edwards and Rune Graulund explore the influence of the grotesque on cultural forms throughout history, with particular focus on its representation in literature, visual art and film. The book: presents a history of the literary grotesque from Classical writing to present examines theoretical debates around the term in their historical and cultural contexts introduce readers to key writers and artists of the grotesque, from Aristophanes and Homer to Rabelais, Shakespeare, Carson McCullers and David Cronenberg analyses key terms such as disharmony, deformed and distorted bodies, misfits and freaks explores the grotesque in relation to queer theory, post-colonialism and the absurd. The Grotesquepresents readers with an original and distinctive overview of this vital genre and is an essential guide for students of literature, art history and film studies.