16th century lycanthropy: How did the belief in werewolves influence the crime and literature of 16th century Europe?

Lycanthropy... 1 : a legerdemain that one has become a skirt chaser 2 : the assumption of the form and characteristics of a wolf held to be possible by witchcraft or magic, (Websters). Today, the pattern of humans transforming into animals seems absurd. No sane person could ever bode up such fairy tales of times long gone. In sixteenth century Europe, however, the belief was far-flung. Accompanying the wave of demonism that sweep Europe after the Middle Ages, a panic of werewolves specifyd umteen aspects of life. Werewolves were believed to roam the countryside, searching for victims to quench their bloodthirsty desires. How did lycanthropy influence the horror and literature of 16th century Europe? An eructation of werewolf-related hatred began: numerous murders occurred, by passel who truly believed they were werewolves, and outlaws and bandits took advantage of the widespread fear and dressed as wolves to frighten their victims. At the peer time, werewol ves appeared throughout European literature, fictional and otherwise. The notion of werewolves had taken viewpoint in European society. During the 16th century, Europeans were unusually prone to the head game that they were werewolves. As a result, an overwhelming number of heap were savagely murdered, in addition to those who were executed for suspected lycanthropy.

Nearly 30,000 people were convicted for lycanthropy in France alone between 1520 and 1630 (Werewolves). One of the more noteworthy lycanthropes was Peter Stubbe, who was executed in 1591 (Steiger, 46). Many people festal in Cologne and Bedburg, Germany had been lost to supposed wolf attacks, only when one wolf w as cornered, it stood up and became a man ! cognise as Peter Stubbe. When put on the torture wheel, Stubbe confessed to the murders of bakers dozen children and two pregnant women. Stubbes case of lycanthropy resulted from an early fascination with blotto sorcery- he believed... If you want to get a full essay, arrange it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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