The Feminization of Witchcraft
Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
Although the term witch can apply to either a man or woman, for centuries it has been invariably restricted to the figure of a female. The concept came about mostly during the Middle Ages. Witchcraft was commonly associated with heresy, but soon became synonymous as a result of religious repression. Witchcraft then became a perfect match for women due to the misogynistic beliefs that women were more susceptible to the temptations of the devil and more likely than men to transgress (a conclusion based on the rendering of the story of Adam and Eve). Thus, most witches were women simply by default. Men were more likely to be accused and convicted of performing necromancy, magic that required great physical and mental stamina as well as fluency in Latin—all things that women were considered incapable of possessing. The feminization of witchcraft is a result of the combination of the paranoia of heresy and misogyny prevalent during the Middle Ages.
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Location
B192 JFSB
Start Date
20-3-2015 1:45 PM
End Date
20-3-2015 3:00 PM
The Feminization of Witchcraft
B192 JFSB
Although the term witch can apply to either a man or woman, for centuries it has been invariably restricted to the figure of a female. The concept came about mostly during the Middle Ages. Witchcraft was commonly associated with heresy, but soon became synonymous as a result of religious repression. Witchcraft then became a perfect match for women due to the misogynistic beliefs that women were more susceptible to the temptations of the devil and more likely than men to transgress (a conclusion based on the rendering of the story of Adam and Eve). Thus, most witches were women simply by default. Men were more likely to be accused and convicted of performing necromancy, magic that required great physical and mental stamina as well as fluency in Latin—all things that women were considered incapable of possessing. The feminization of witchcraft is a result of the combination of the paranoia of heresy and misogyny prevalent during the Middle Ages.