witchcraze how much change?
What did the phenomenon of the "Witch Craze" in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries say about society of the time? How far have modern societies changed?It is without a doubt that the phenomenon of the "witch craze" of the sixteenth and seventeenth century was a fallacious product of it's misogynistic, theocratic society. Little evidence exists that the witch in any form of devilry existed, lending credibility to the theory that the whole ordeal was in fact manufactured by certain orders to achieve its goals, the persecution, submission, intimidation and marginalisation of women, and those who were perceived as a threat to the patriarchal-Christian dominated society. This "witch-craze" is commonly viewed as one of the most inhumane and injudicious phases of human "development" in time. Unfortunately for the human race, the development of technology, science and a discerning common sense has done little to change the hysterical and paranoid "gang mentality" and the unrelenting persecution of those who are different. Even in modern times, the dominant groups within society are compelled by fear and greed to crush those groups who are different in ideology, race, political or religious philosophies or ways of life. This is se
Although he refrained from using tortures such as mastectomy and thumb screws, he was barbaric nonetheless. The "Malleus Maleficarum" was the most popular book of all time, excluding the bible, printed in four languages and thirty-five edition in four years. When women could not bear children, due to miscarriage or infertility, their only role was made redundant and they were ostracized in society to feel inadequate. (Theoharis, 1971: 35-40) Great pressure was present to produce vapid useless entertainment such as "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", to highlight the dangers of "Aliens". These could now be blamed on witches, the women who previously had been looked to for help in times of stress and need for herb remedies, midwifery, and other simple tasks. htm (Accessed: 7 June 2004)"Red Scare", (Last Modified - June 15, 2004) (Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopaedia) Available: http://en. It was only when the secular and ecclesiastical sections of society branded these women a menace and encouraged people to abhor them that the persecutions really took hold. W, (1993) "The Reformation, Popular Magic, and the 'Disenchantment of the World' ", Journal of Interdisciplinary History, Vol. Burr (eds), The Witch Persecutions in Translations and reprints from the Original sources of European Hostory. Witches were thought to have denounced their citizenship as human beings and so were given no rights in the eyes of the law in terms of torture and punishment. Many historians have chosen to apply theories of single causation, including religious upheaval, economic instability, environmental factors, state building and social control. edu/womens_history/witch/ , (Accessed: 7 June 2004)Shan, K, The Witching Hours, Available: www. Even if the peasants had reservations about the torture and slaughter of their neighbours, if they had spoken up, they would have been next on the stake, accused of being a sympathiser.
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Acceptance Essays
