Numerous written traces regarding witchcraft have been read through and analyzed by historians. As most of works done afterwards, we need to keep in full view the context in which witchcraft has evolved. Many cultural and social circumstances could provide answers, but some questions are still unsolved. In many ways, witchcraft and the reasons which led to persecutions remain a mystery. What we know for sure is that "80% of the victims were women". Why- while many trials were primarily focused on the events and disasters of daily life- women were the main target? Jennifer Ward in "women in medieval Europe", states that radical changes occurred after about the end of the middle-Ages. Because of social fictions and religious evolution, the number of accusations against women increased. Women began to be seen as Devil's worshippers, sharing the same physical features with him. One would know that every stereotypes lies in their application. This latter has reached a point of no return, leading to infamous "crimes". .
This essay will attempt to show that women's accusations were fundamentally unreliable and depended on a socio-cultural and judicial context. It is interesting to point out that before being seen as victims, women have been seen as criminals. This paper will first consider the factors which led to new perceptions of women. It will examine the reasons why women were the recurring target of accusations. Secondly, it will focus on the violence afflicted on women, to finally question the reliability of the trials:.
Over centuries, witches images endorsed many changes and strange transformations. During the 16 th and 17 th centuries, Europe moved from feudalism to capitalism. This transition was displayed through a questioning of the traditional roles. .
Back in the Middle-Ages, women were considered as the pillars of society because they had control over life (by giving birth) and death (known to have awesome powers of healing and protection).
Witchcraft: The History The subject of witchcraft is something that has fascinated and instilled fear in people for centuries. ... Leading us down through history, from our European roots and up through one of the blackest periods in our history. Who would have really expected witchcraft to die there? ... This was one of major causes for witchcraft. ... The history of witchcraft is a long and often times cloudy one. ...
Witchcraft? ... I think it important to first discuss some history of witchcraft. The World Book Encyclopedia (2002) describes some of the history as follows: The term witch comes from the Old English word wicca, which is derived from the Germanic root wic, meaning to bend or to turn."" ... In author Ann Llewellyn Barstow's book Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (1994), a typical witch was usually described in this way: "women which be commonly old, lame, bleare-eied, pale, fowle, and full of wrinkles- and "[like] a bitch far more hideous to look at than al...
Witchcraft History has shown that people always had the tendency to give an explanation to all their luck or misfortune. ... People also practiced witchcraft in the days of the early Romans, and several thousand years before that time witchcraft was practiced in Egypt. ... Today most people no longer believe in witchcraft. ... Azande tribe is well-known for its witchcraft. ... Actually, as history has shown In England and in Ireland people used special techniques in order to find out who the witch was because they believe that all their misfortune was a result ...
(Russel, 658) Witchcraft has a very fascinating history. Because much of its history is shrouded in superstition and has not properly been recorded, its exact history is hard to explain. ... According to Montague Summers, the author of The History of Witchcraft and Demonology, "witches can be described as heretics and anarchists," most of which follow the chief of demons, also known as the Devil. ... John Klaits best describes how the belief in witchcraft flourished by saying, "many accusations of witchcraft resulted from ordinary village quarrels." (86) Chance happenings in life were oft...
Witchcraft in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of the early European countries and America, a new craze came about the people. This new trend was known as witchcraft, and was highly punishable by torture and eventually led to one's death. In England, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Scotland, and other European countries, witchcraft trials became even more ubiquitous. ... Soon food supplies ran diminutive, and these problems created tensions that escalated into the witchcraft craze. The witchcraft craze became so widespread througho...
Witchcraft is one of those religions. ... The misconceptions of Witchcraft have been inaccurate and misleading. ... In Witchcraft there is no deity that is evil. ... Halloween, along with Beltane, have a long and celebrated history. ... Today modern Witchcraft "is a variety of paganism" (Russell 157). ...
However, when the news broke out that it was not true, I started to doubt everything about witchcraft. ... This made me realize that there are several misconceptions about witchcraft, which made people either be fascinated or be afraid of it. ... The history of witchcraft can be divided into three phases: Sorcery, Diabolical Witchcraft, and Modern Witchcraft (Ellwood). ... Ellwood, the first part of the history of witchcraft is sorcery, which refers "primarily to witchcraft in primal and ancient societies- (Ellwood). ... Diabolical witchcraft dates from the early thirteenth century up to th...
History of Witch Craft Witchcraft is about the third biggest religion in America today. ... This history of Witchcraft is ubelievable. ... During the middle ages and the renaissance, witchcraft was considered as evil magic, heresy and devil-worship. ... It can also be used for good rather than for harmful use which most people consider witchcraft being used as. Today, witchcraft is refered as the use of malevolent powers by psychic means without the need for ritual or charm. ...
