salem witch trials

Witchcraft, Insanity, and the Ten Signs of Decay

Since there never was a spurned lover stirring things up in Salem Village, and there is no evidence from the time that Tituba practiced Caribbean black magic, yet these trials and executions actually still took place, how can you explain why they occurred?

The Salem Witchcraft Trials began not as an act of revenge against an ex-lover, as they did in The Crucible, but as series of seemingly unlinked, complex events, which a paranoid and scared group of people incorrectly linked. And while there were countless other witchcraft trials, Salem¡¦s trials remain the best known. In Salem, fears of witchcraft perpetuated by popular writings were personified when two girls were said to be bewitched. Hysteria overcame the people of Salem, whose trials went awry. In less than six months, 19 men and women were hanged, 17 innocents died in filthy prisons, an 80-year old man was crushed to death, and two dogs were stoned to death for collaborating with the Devil (Richardson 6).

How could an entire village, including scholars, believe in witchcraft? Were these trials justified? Or were they evil, as many people think? How could respected, learn

. . .

„h The Crucible Project, Marquis and Mello. resulting from ignorance or fear of the unknown¡¨ (Saliba). ¡¨

Another possible explanation for the girls¡¦ insanity was ergot poisoning, a common problem during the time period. Manifestations of pride ¡V especially among the rich

3. ¡¨ In addition, ergot is said to have hallucinogenic powers; it very well may, since LSD is derived from it. Lacking in social behavior

(Geree)

Upon arriving in Massachusetts, the Puritans established a theocracy; religion and the power of religious authorities became vital to the Salem Witchcraft Trials. ¡¨ In addition, they were able to avoid censure, ridicule, and imprisonment, which would have been standard punishment for fantasizing or discussing witchcraft.

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Approximate Word count = 2210
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

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