Beyond Demonology: Blame the Witches

Abstract

Although many historians have examined demonology in tandem with trials, most have focussed on ecclesiastical paradigms, at the expense of a broader range of literature.¹ I would argue strongly that as many representations of the witch and the Devil as possible ought to be examined, so as to better comprehend their many guises and to inform our investigations into the attributes of the witch and the creation of varying paradigms. By investigating a broader range of literary genres, the more or less standardized ecclesiastical stereotype of the witch is not only challenged, but stood completely on its head. The Devil and the witch, when inhabiting the liminal space of fiction, were often the subjects of irony and parody, as this chapter will illustrate. In addition, the very nature of the literary genres used could influence the interpretation and representation of motifs within witchcraft discourse. For example, in the Polish literature predating the trials, the figure of the witch was clearly a general literary signifier of old, allowing authors to depict and manipulate the motif freely. I would argue that the presence of the figure of the witch or the Devil in such a variety of spheres confirms the widespread influence of witchcraft belief, supporting Clark’s view that demonology was in fact a vital forum for the debate of many issues in the early modern period.²