Witchcraft Trials Then. Terrorism Trials Today?

Although several notable terrorist acts occurred in the United States before 2001, no other national event has affected our cultural awareness of terrorism in such a way as the destruction of the Twin Towers and concurrent plane hijackings on Sept 11. As Dec 7, 1941 in Roosevelt’s time, we all know this infamous date. More significantly, Sept 11 has brought about cultural shifts and changes in U.S. legal conduct (e.g. the Patriot Act, extraordinary rendition, Guantanamo prison, “enhanced interrogation”). It has been mentioned in this class that there are some similarities between witchcraft trials of the early modern period and terrorism trials today. What do you think? Are there similarities? What are some of the essential differences? Would it be fair to compare cultural attitudes towards terrorists today to cultural attitudes towards witches during the Renaissance? Perhaps you have already thought of some important questions to share.

We know there are highly political issues embedded in this topic, and ask that you all make as much use of real data and other source materials as you can. Disagreement, to be expected, is inherent to debate, and it can always be approached in a respectful manner. This is an excellent opportunity to set aside differences and come together in meaningful discourse on an important cultural issue.

The TAs

Game of Thrones: Magic

I understand that this post is pretty close to the deadline, so if no-one feels like posting its cool. This is for anyone who has read the Song of Fire and Ice books by George Martin, or have watched the HBO series "Game of Thrones". There is a clear use of "magic/wizardry" in the series by certain peoples and characters. I'm  curious as to what those of you who have watched/read it think of the treatment of magic users within the T.V. series  or the fictional novel. Does Martin depict it favorably? Is it met with  hostility? What do you think of the general progress of the series/sage. Thanks.

Social Conformity

While Joan of Arc was technically burnt at the stake as a relapsed heretic, the proof of her relapse was based in her decision to don clothing considered appropriate for men. What does this tell you about the Church's stance on social conformity? Do you see connections between a desire for social conformity and witch hunts and witchcraft? Do you think Joan's story still has relevance now?

The Magician and the Sultan's Son

Hi all,

I was searching around the internet and found this interesting African folktale about a sultan who has 3 sons who seem to be unable to learn. One day a magician comes to the sultan and says that he can teach the sons to read and write but in return the sultan must give up one of his sons to the magician. I don't want to tell too much so I'll let you read it for yourselves. I've also attached the link to the website that has various folktales and fairytales from different regions of the world. Hope you enjoy!

-Zachery Murphy
http://worldoftales.com/African_folktales/African_Folktale_47.html

http://worldoftales.com/

Fairy World

With the discussion about fairies on Tuesday, I remembered about a scene from the HBO show "True Blood" that I saw last year. I thought it would be a good clip to show to compare it with the discussion.

 The main character, Sookie, is part fairy and in this scene she was transported to the fairy world by her fairy godmother. Everything is very beautiful there and there are many fairies who have brought their own visitors with them too. Sookie then sees her long last grandfather, who has been missing for many years. It is revealed in the beginning that her grandfather thought he was only gone for a few hours. This illustrates the difference in the speed of time from the real world compared to the fairy world. Everything seems to be too good to be true and Sookie realizes that by being able to see past the fairies' glamour tricks. Soon the fairies' glamours fall apart and everyone is able to see them as they truly are.

Here is the clip link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOFBpVMkjZM

Do you guys think this is similar to what we discussed in class?

-Amanda Phillips

Dame Sirith in Middle English

For those of you interested, you can find a transcription of Dame Sirith as found in the Bodleian Library MS Digby 86 from circa 1275 at the link at the bottom of this post. The transcription is not translated, so for those of you interested in trying to read through some Middle English verse, I thought you might enjoy this.
The image to the left is an illumination found in a manuscript containing the poem Roman de la Rose. In it the King of Love (Cupid) has just shot the narrator/protagonist with his first arrow in the eye. This is symbolic of the medieval concepts of love being inspired by sight, as well as of the eyes being the most direct path to the soul. In the Classic and majority of the Medieval periods, love was often described as a sickness which, like a wound, needed proper medical attention.
Revisiting the text of Dame Sirith after watching the Sorceress made me think about the power dynamics being excercised on love and desire during the end of the Middle Ages and the start of the Early Modern period, and how the desire to control such emotions/feelings/passions/desires/thoughts crossed with practices of alchemy, herbalism, healing, and other unsactioned medicinal practices. In a number of the readings, and in the film, one "power" of (female) witches is to make a man desire her for unacceptable sexual activities. Who is blamed for the existenec of such desires? Is this accurate? Who is punished for participating in such activites? Who is excused and how? Who is the victim? Are women today accused of similar "powers" that excuse men of certain actions? Feel free to comment. I know this topic may prompt some strong opinions/viewpoints, so please remain respectful to all.
Have a great weekend! Robey Patrick
(http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/teams/dsfrm.htm).

Week 3 Topic: The Early Medieval Church on Witchcraft

Worms Cathedral

This week you have been reading excerpts from The Corrector by Burchard of Worms. What does this text tell you about the Church's view on witchcraft during the early Middle Ages? How is his stance similar/different from other readings we have seen?