9/24/09. Witch Persecutions & Fear of Female Sexuality

Witches in the News: Chastity Belts + “Impotence is Optional” + recent terrorism stuff

Film Clip: Witchcraft through the Ages (Love Potion Scene)

Overview Maps: Geographic Distribution of the Witch-Trials in Europe 1435-1750

Definitions: Medieval, Early Modern, Renaissance, Reformation

Changes in Situation of Early Modern Women  (cf. Brauner 23-4):

Medieval:  female “subsidiarity”

Early Modern:  gender “complementarity”

Catholic society v. Protestant society

In-Class Writing Assignment:

Referring to Brauner’s article on “Wanton Women,” please answer the following:  How did the authors of the Malleus maleficarum describe women and what aspects of “female nature” make them most susceptible to becoming witches?  Be as specific as possible.

Film Clip: The Name of the Rose: Bernardo Gui Finds A Witch (3 mins)

Lecture: Definition of the Witch in the Malleus Maleficarum (1487)

Summary, Premise, & Importance for Witch Craze:

Three parts:  1) nature of witches; 2)  the harm witches do;  3) how to prosecute witches

Definition of Witch: A witch was a woman who:

Innovations of Malleus Maleficarum: