Witches Essay - 1357 Words

The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: A Review Karlsen, Carol F. The Devil in the Shape of a Woman: Witchcraft in Colonial New England. New York: Vintage, 1987.nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; The Devil in the Shape of a Woman by Carol Karlsen takes a closer look at the females being accused of witchcraft in colonial New England. American history has few subjects as interesting as witchcraft, because it confronts us with many different ideas about women. It confronts us with fears about women, the place of women in society, and with women themselves. Also, it confronts us with violence against women and how the problems of society were often blamed on women. Even though some men were executed during periods of†¦show more content†¦Most of the society believed in witches, and those who did not were usually suspected of being witches. Some colonists believed that witches were simply criminals that worked in supernatural ways and that were threats to their neighbors. But more interesting, was the view of the clergy, and specifically the Puritan church. They saw witches as not only enemies of their neighbors, but also enemies of God. They believed that witches had ent ered into an evil contract with the Devil, in which they would recruit others to destroy the Puritan churches. Without significant support for at least one of the views, the accuser in some cases could be brought up on slander charges. When both views had support, the accused person was likely to be declared a witch. Then they were considered an enemy of the New England society and the Puritan Faith. Additionally, when both of these views were very intense, the accusations would multiply and would effect the lives of not just one or two, but many. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;According to Karelsen, many of the society’s problems were often blamed on witchcraft. The witches in New England were said to be able to harm others in supernatural ways, so major illnesses were often blamed on them. Also, people believed witches had powers over animals and crops. They were often accused for bad harvests and livestock dying. They were also commonly blamed for miscarriages,Show MoreRelatedFate : Witches Or Macbeth?1039 Words   |  5 PagesCayde Hamilton Ms. Crowe English IV 11 December 2015 Fate: Witches or Macbeth? Many people in this world would argue that every one has free will, that the choices they make will determine their path in life, but some would argue that everything comes down to fate. People who believe solely on fate believe that their future is already determined, and they can do nothing to change it. 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The setting in which Shakespeare first presents the witches is On the Moor with thunder and lightening in theRead More1. (1.1) Witches Fair is foul and foul is fair this quotation is stated in line 10 by the500 Words   |  2 Pages1. (1.1) Witches Fair is foul and foul is fair this quotation is stated in line 10 by the witches in the opening of the play.This quotation is very important because it introduces what the whole play is going to be about. How what is fair to them might not be fair to others. This quote is magnificent because it provides a wonderful example of paradox by letting the audience know that even tough something bad might occur it will benefit someone else. 2. (1.3) First Witch Though his bark cannot