The dark history of werewolves - Craig Thomson

Summary

The 1589 trial of Peter Stubbe in Bedburg, Germany, marked a significant moment in the history of werewolf folklore, as he confessed to gruesome crimes and claimed a devil-given girdle allowed his transformation. The concept of werewolves has evolved through literature, from sympathetic figures to symbols of darker human nature and societal fears. The Victorian era and Hollywood films further shaped the werewolf mythos, reflecting anxieties around morality, adolescence, and cultural tensions. Despite waning belief in werewolves, the creature continues to adapt in modern narratives, suggesting a timeless fascination with this monstrous archetype.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1589 trial of Peter Stubbe in Bedburg, Germany, highlighted the intersection of murder, cannibalism, and the werewolf myth.
• 🐺 Werewolf folklore predates the 16th century, evolving through various cultures, particularly in Europe where wolves are seen as natural predators.
• 📜 Early werewolf stories often depicted them as sympathetic figures cursed to transform, reflecting societal fears and moral complexities.
• 👩‍❤️‍👨 In ancient tales like Gilgamesh, werewolves often emerged from romantic deceit, showing the link between love and betrayal.
• ⚔️ The medieval narrative 'Bisclavret' illustrates how cunning and betrayal can lead to tragic consequences for those transformed into wolves.
• ⛪ As Catholicism spread, werewolves became associated with magic and sorcery, complicating their narrative in European society.
• 🧙‍♀️ The 16th-century witch trials included alleged werewolves, showcasing societal fears and the persecution of outsiders.
• 🎥 The mid-20th century brought a cinematic revival of werewolves, introducing tropes like the bite and full moon as triggers for transformation.
• 🌍 Films such as 'Werewolf of London' reflected xenophobic sentiments of the time, linking werewolves to fears of foreign influences.
• 👩‍🎤 By the end of the 20th century, werewolf narratives began to explore themes of adolescence and gender, adapting to contemporary societal issues.

Q & A

What were the main accusations against Peter Stubbe during his trial in 1589?

Peter Stubbe was accused of several gruesome crimes, including murder, assault, cannibalism, and being a werewolf.

How did Peter Stubbe claim to have the ability to transform into a wolf?

In his confession, Peter claimed that the devil had given him a magic girdle that allowed him to transform into a wolf.

What historical significance do werewolves hold in European literature and folklore?

Werewolves are prominent in European literature and folklore, often reflecting cultural fears and prejudices, particularly in societies where wolves are the largest natural predators.

How did the portrayal of werewolves change from early literature to the medieval period?

Early literature sometimes portrayed werewolves as sympathetic figures, victims of curses, while medieval stories explored fears about human nature, depicting werewolves in connection with betrayal and deceit.

What is the story of Gilgamesh and its relation to werewolves?

In the story of Gilgamesh, a shepherd falls in love with the goddess Ishtar, who transforms him into a wolf when she grows tired of him. This story is one of the earliest accounts of werewolves.

How did the rise of Catholicism affect beliefs about werewolves?

As Catholicism spread in Europe, werewolves became increasingly associated with magic, sorcery, and pagan beliefs, complicating the distinction between fact and fiction regarding werewolves.

What role did the European witch trials play in the history of werewolf accusations?

During the European witch trials, while witches were the primary targets, alleged werewolves like Peter Stubbe were also tried and executed, driven by societal fears and attempts to understand violent crimes.

How did werewolves evolve in literature by the Victorian period?

By the Victorian period, werewolves often embodied fears of moral and psychological decay, as seen in George Reynolds’s 'Wagner the Wehrwolf,' where the protagonist makes a pact with the devil.

What cinematic innovations defined the modern portrayal of werewolves in films?

In cinema, the modern portrayal of werewolves includes the idea that the curse can be transmitted through bites and is often triggered by a full moon, popularized by the 1935 film 'Werewolf of London.'

How are werewolves represented in modern narratives regarding adolescence?

Since the 1950s, cinematic werewolves have often symbolized male aggression and the uncertainties of adolescence, with some films exploring themes of puberty and even incorporating feminist perspectives.