Trolling may appear to be a recent phenomenon with the advent of the internet, but it actually has roots that span centuries. Online abuse can hit targets instantly and from various sources in unprecedented quantities, but as David Rudrum’s book “Trolling before the Internet: An Offline History of Insult, Provocation, and Public Humiliation in the Literary Classics” illustrates, the desire to hurt or distract others through words is ancient.
Review: Trolling before the Internet: An Offline History of Insult, Provocation, and Public Humiliation in the Literary Classics – David Rudrum (Bloomsbury)
Archilochus, an early Greek poet, exemplifies this ancient practice. He wandered between cities, praising generous kings and insulting those who spurned him. Although the legend of him killing a king who disdained him may be fictional, it underscores the power of words.
The term “spell,” meaning “story,” took on a magical connotation much later. Trolls today aim to silence opponents through shame, hoping to disrupt discourse rather than engage in reasoned debate. While often annoying, trolling can occasionally cause societal change.
Sledging in Beowulf
Rudrum defines trolling as defaming, insulting, or humiliating opponents publicly, or making provocative statements not sincerely held. This broad definition embraces the complexities of trolling.
Trolling is inherently a human activity with fuzzy boundaries. Rudrum suggests that meeting enough of the criteria in his definition is sufficient to label a text as trolling.
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Rudrum uses this definition to organize his book into seven chronological chapters. He begins with Beowulf, where Unferth engages in flyting—a ritual of insults similar to Australian “sledging.”
Patriarchal Utterances
Trolling often serves as a mechanism for shaming, exploiting the CAD triad: contempt, anger, and disgust. Historically, this privilege has belonged to men. Women and disempowered groups are more frequently targets of trolling than perpetrators.
Trolling shares similarities with satire, including the use of the CAD triad. While it can be annoying and cause offense, it can also provoke change. Rudrum explores trolls like Shakespeare, Jonathan Swift, Martin Luther, Oscar Wilde, Wyndham Lewis, and Émile Zola.
