![]() ![]() While they occurred throughout much of early modern Europe, there was an enormous spike in witchcraft trials and executions in southwest Germany in the late 16th century. While suspicions and accusations of witchcraft have existed since the ancient world, the persecution of supposed witches skyrocketed in Western Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. Yet, the history of witchcraft in the Western world has been much less whimsical and family-friendly. ![]() ![]() These witchy figures have served as popular villains in television shows, movies, and video games (enter one of my favorite fictional witches, the always-rhyming Gruntilda.) ![]() As such, this witchy figure shows up most commonly during the Halloween season, adorning various Halloween decorations, mugs, and T-shirts. This image has become a widespread and highly-marketable icon, helping to sell postcards, books, and even adorning the patch worn by the members of the town of Salem’s police department. These are the witches of common children’s literature, and this popular image pervades many of our pop culture representations of a witch. When we think of a stereotypical, pop-culture representation of a witch, we typically conjure up images of old, ugly hags wearing pointed hats, riding on broomsticks, and brewing potions in their black cauldrons. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |