Halloween Witch Trials

Words: 621

Pages: 3

Open Document

These accused witches were often beheaded, hanged, or burned at the stake. Publications like the Malleus Maleficarum, a guide for witch-hunters, depicted witches as being in league with the Devil, with some accused of having sexual relations with him. Witches were also occasionally blamed for causing or spreading the plague. The witch trials became a means for the Church and feudal lords to seize the property of the accused, and they solidified the stereotype of the witch as a cunning hag with a cauldron, broom, and cat—symbols associated with feminine household activities. In some cases, witches were accused of attending events and "Sabbaths" on All Hallows' Day, further linking Halloween to witchcraft. The choice of this day for significant …show more content…
The association between Halloween and witches became even stronger during the Protestant monarchy of James I, when a notable witch trial occurred in 1590. Dozens of Scots were accused of attempting to harm James and his future wife, Anne of Denmark, by gathering on Halloween night, riding the sea in sieves, and causing storms by tossing live cats tied to human body parts into the water. The Devil is perhaps the most controversial emblem associated with Halloween. Often depicted in connection with the holiday, the Devil is a figure that opposes Christianity and goes by various names, including Lucifer, Beelzebub, and Mephistopheles. Some historians suggest that the Devil may have been introduced as a way to demonize horned pagan gods like Pan and Cernunnos. In a notable event from 1597, Thomas Leyis, a Scottish man accused of witchcraft, was said to have attended a midnight gathering on Halloween with his mother and other witches, where they claimed the Devil was present, leading and controlling them as they danced around crosses and the

Salem Witch Trials Research Paper

Witchcraft The Salem Witch Trials is a big historical event in the 17th century relating to Witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials started in the spring of 1692. A hysteria had gone throughout Massachusetts about people being possessed by the devil. Over 150 men, women, and children were accused, September 1692. As many were puzzled on this topic, other people had come up with theories. Some believed smallpox epidemic caused Witchcraft and others believed it was caused by a fungus ergot showing symptoms…

Words 382 - Pages 2

Modern Day Witch Research Paper

believed that witches were real and hundreds of women were subjected to death because of this belief. Based on psychological, scientific, and historical evidence witches are proved to not exist. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the verb witch means “To practise witchcraft; to use sorcery or enchantment”. The term is traced back to England during Pre-Christian times. During these times many poor women and seldom men were accused of being witches. Accusations usually stemmed from the guilt…

Words 1204 - Pages 5

I Ll Put A Spell On You?

Today, tolerance of different groups or cultures is increasingly significant. Accepting and/or understanding these differences will allow people to see them as part of society instead of only a fictional portrayal in entertainment. The idea of being a witch or anything involving demons and sorcery is meant to be destructive or forbidden even. Which can, in fact, be accurate in modern day perceptions due to ancient theories. However, people display only what they want you to know so there is always more…

Words 1232 - Pages 5

The Salem Witch Trial

Potter and other Hollywood’s movies. Witches are also well celebrated October 31. Halloween is officially of the only occasion people really talk about witchcraft now days; but in the early days, witchcraft was a serious matter. Historically, United States early days of witchcraft is associated with the Salem Witches Trial . The first documented and most famous witchcraft trial in the United Stated history, The Salem Trial. Almost two hundred man and women were accused, and a combined of nineteen were…

Words 1067 - Pages 5

Abigail Williams Play Analysis

I went to the Abigail play, at the Aurora theatre. This play takes place ten years after the Salem witch trials, the main character is Abigail Williams, who’s trying to seeks salvation and started a new life, however is still haunted her cruel past. This play is a sequel to Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”, recreating the Salem witch trials, which focused on an individual's circle of paranoia and mistrust, on the subject of principles and convictions. This play is about Abigail Williams, who is played…

Words 643 - Pages 3

Bones Skeletons Book Report

D. Historical fiction 1. Speare, E. (1958) the Witch of Blackbeard Pond. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Summary: This story takes place in 1687. Sixteen year old Kit Taylor lived with her whole life in Barbados. A wealthy like with her grandfather until he dies. She leaves all she has known to go live with her aunt in Wethersfield, Connecticut. She jumps overboard to recuse a young girls doll and this is where it all begins for Kit. Since she is from a different culture, can swim, dresses fancy, she…

Words 735 - Pages 3

Essay about Goodman Brown

Hawthorne’s writing. The specific time period builds to the theme because the loss of faith is a result of suspicion of evil in everyone and everything. In addition to the Puritan period, Hawthorne uses Faith to hint that it is “Hollow’s Eve” or Halloween as it is known to us. This is important to the story as it has been symbolized as the night of evil. Faith begs of her husband, “Pray, tarry with me this night, dear husband, of all nights in the year” (Hawthorne, 118). She is obviously afraid…

Words 792 - Pages 4