Part
I: Essay Outline
Introduction
It
specifies the approach of the essay, which is the influence of ministers and
other religious elites, according to McDonald.
Body
This part contains three main points and explanation
of different events which took place between 1638 and 1651. The points also
show the importance of religious influence during trials of the witches. These
points include;
- Aspect of Gender in Witchcraft
It supports the fact
that most of the people who were subject to witch trials were females. It also
provides examples to support that argument.
- Punishment of Victims
It
provides the main disciplinary actions which taken against those who were found
guilty. It also specifies the individuals who were involved in stating the
disciplinary measures to be taken against the victims.
- Effects of witchcraft to people’s culture
This
point shows how involvement in witchcraft affected culture and how the
religious elites considered it to be an evil practice. It gives some examples
of statements which were made to condemn the act.
Conclusion
It
summarizes the ideas contained in the essay and shows the perspective of the
writer concerning the events which took place and how religion participated in
curbing the vice.
Reference
It
contains the sources cited in the essay and direct quotes from one of the
sources.
Part
II: Short Essay
Witch-hunt
and popular culture
The
religious elites condemned witchcraft terming it to be an evil practice which
was done by the worshippers of the devil, and they were closely engaged in
trials of the suspects of the vice.
Below
are some of the aspects concerning the witch-hunts;
1. Aspect
of gender in witchcraft
Most
of the victims who were subjected to witch trials were females. This is
according to a research which was conducted in North America in the 15th
century which showed that about 75% of those who were subjected to the trials
were women. During this period women were seen to be more sinful than men. Many
people who condemned the vice also condemned women for their involvement in
practicing it. For instance, Kramer and Sprenger said that women were the main
causes of evil and temptations which led to punishment by God. They engaged in
the vice due to lack of adequate good jobs for women which forced them to
consider being witch doctors and engage in other superstitious activities to
earn a living.
2. Punishment
of victims
Religious leaders
continued condemning witchcraft and relating it to worshipping of Satan which
led to those who practiced it being seeing as rejects in the society. They were
blamed of using sorcery to interfere with development of the society. This
caused those who were suspected to be practicing the vice to be presented for
trials whereby if they were found guilty, disciplinary measures were taken on
them. Mostly, those who were found guilty were strangled to death or chained
for life on the oars of ships. There were different methods which were used in
different countries to punish the culprits. For instance, in some countries
such as England the victims were hanged and their bodies burned while in France
they were burned alive.
3. Effects
of Witchcraft on culture
This vice affected most
of the traditional practices significantly since many people feared to be
associated with witchcraft. Religious leaders influenced many people to stop
the traditional practices which led to erosion of the traditional culture. This
led to decrease in the number of healers and midwives which led many people to
have different opinions about the act. For instance, Diane Purkiss argued that
most women used herbal medicine as a process of practicing their household
skills hence there were no enough evidence to relate midwives and herbalists
with the vice. Nicholas Remy, who was a judge, argued that it was unreasonable
to associate witchcraft with feminism.
During 1630 the
witch-hunt in Scotland was very high and between 1661 and 1662 it experienced
the highest witch-hunt which led to death of many witches by being burned. Many
judges intervened to rescue mostly females, who were the main suspects of
witchcraft, from being put to death.
Conclusion
Witchcraft
was highly condemned by religious leaders including the Pope and all efforts
were made to eliminate sorcerers from the society. Orders were made by the top
officials to put to death all those who were found guilty after trials which
scared a lot of people and led to abandoning of some traditional cultures. It
also provided an opportunity for religious leaders to convert many people to
their religion since they were avoiding being suspected to be witches.[1]
Unit 10 of “The
National Convention” shows the powers held by different authorities and the
measures which were taken to curb the vice. “… representatives of the sovereign
people: task which devolves upon you demands, the power and wisdom of the gods
themselves.”
The leaders had
a lot of powers which they used to declare harsh judgements on culprits whereby
some decisions made were oppressive to the victims.”… assuredly no one of us
would propose to retain in France the fatal races for kings; we all know but
too well that dynasties have never been anything thing else than rapacious
tribes who lived on nothing, buh human flesh. It is necessary completely to
reassure the friends of liberty. We must destroy this talisman whose magic
power is still sufficient to stupefy many a man.”
This source
brings out the judgement process and shows the kind of disciplinar measures
which were taken on culprits. It is evident that ones an order was made by the
top leaders it had to be followed without questioning.
2. David Pickering, and Andrew Pickering. Witch Hunt: The
Persecution of Witches. London: Amberley Publishing, 2013.
3. Hanover Historical Texts . "The National
Convention." Historical Texts. July 12, 2001. www.hanover.edu
(accessed August 10, 2013).
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