Nice share. I like things that spark intellectual thought and dialogue. Especially ones so useful for writing fiction.
I tend to think like you. Nietzsche's quote is intriguing because it sort of brings us to the heart of "the monster" which is defined by our perception. Some people actually like Trump. And to some he's the most terrible thing imaginable hiding under the bed.
So what comes to my mind when I think of the term "monster"?
It's this sort of caricature. A monster I used to imagine when I was very little. Now it doesn't look very scary. It's very generic, but I think we'd all think "monster" if we saw it. Albeit childish. Short, stocky, furry, big eyes, sharp teeth, maybe horns.
The other image that follows is something like Nietzsche referred to. I see into a dark well, I see these eyes that flash open to register me. Something that is going to climb out of my mind into my reality now that I've acknowledged it. To me I can best describe it as my depression that I've dealt with most of my life. It would be the thing that most has attacked my life and changed it from what I perceived as "should be" into a sort of horror version of what "should be."
Long answer, I know. To me a monster, I guess, is that which wrenches a thing or situation into the terrible. It starts off as unknown and then it arrives to shock.
I love long answers when they say a lot.
I love this. This image of a monster that's so stereotypical and yet not that scary. Maybe even cute, if you emphasize the 'childishness'. Makes me think about the so many not-scary monsters that exist in every culture.
Now, this one... not stereotypical at all. Shapeless, yet really scary.
Very interesting description. Thank you for sharing!