The concept of a wicked witch living under someone's house is a fascinating and intriguing idea. It brings to mind images of a creepy and mystical creature lurking in the shadows, ready to cause mischief and mayhem. It also raises questions about the nature of good and evil and the importance of one's living environment. Living under someone's house implies that the wicked witch inhabits a hidden and secret realm, separate from the everyday world. This underground lair could be filled with dark and mysterious objects, potions, and magical creatures. Perhaps the witch uses her powers to cast spells on unsuspecting victims or to manipulate events in the world above.
Witchcraft and women
The common kind of magic required no formal training, was widely known, could be practised by both men and women and was usually associated with love, sex and healing. Part of the answer comes from medieval attitudes towards magic, and the particular behaviours attributed to men and women within the crime of witchcraft.
Perhaps the witch uses her powers to cast spells on unsuspecting victims or to manipulate events in the world above. The notion of a wicked witch creates a sense of fear and danger. One might imagine that she is a formidable and powerful enemy, capable of casting spells and curses that bring harm and misfortune to those who cross her path.
How the medieval witch image has evolved over centuries
F lying through the skies on a broomstick, the popular image of a witch is as a predominantly female figure – so much so that the costume has become the go-to Halloween outfit for women and girls alike. But where did this gendered stereotype come from? Part of the answer comes from medieval attitudes towards magic, and the particular behaviours attributed to men and women within the “crime” of witchcraft.
Taking one aspect of the witch’s characterisation in popular culture – her association with flight – we can see a transformation in attitudes between the early and later middle ages. In the 11th century, Bishop Burchard of Worms said of certain sinful beliefs:
“Some wicked women, turning back to Satan and seduced by the illusions and phantasms of demons, believe that in the night hours they ride on certain animals with the pagan goddess Diana and a countless multitude of women, and they cross a great span of the world in the stillness of the dead of night.”
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According to Burchard, these women were actually asleep, but were held captive by the devil who deceived their minds in dreams. He also believed that none but the very “stupid and dim witted” could think that these flights had actually taken place.
But by the end of the 15th century views of magic had changed considerably. While many beliefs about women flying through the skies persisted, the perception of them had transformed from one of scepticism to one of fear. The magic night flight became associated with secret gatherings known as “the witches’ sabbath”, involving nefarious acts such as killing babies, taking part in orgies and worshipping the devil.
This suggests that what was originally considered to be a belief held only by women and foolish men was now being taken much more seriously. So what happened to cause such a transformation?
Champion des Dames, broom sticks from the 15th century (Wikimedia Commons)One explanation offered by historian Michael D Bailey is that at some point during the 14th and 15th centuries, religious officials perhaps unwittingly conflated two distinct traditions: “learned” magic and “common” magic. The common kind of magic required no formal training, was widely known, could be practised by both men and women and was usually associated with love, sex and healing.
By contrast, learned magic came to Europe from the east and featured in the “magic manuals” that circulated among educated men whom American medievalist Richard Kieckhefer described as members of a “clerical underworld”.
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Interestingly, descriptions of humans in flight do appear in these manuals – but in relation to men rather than women. One example is found in a 15th century notebook in which the male author describes riding through the skies on a magically conjured “demon horse”.
Two key differences between this account and the ones associated with women are that the person flying is an educated male and demons are now explicitly involved in the act. By conflating popular beliefs about the night flights of women with the demon-conjuring magic of the clerical underworld, medieval inquisitors began to fear that women would fall prey to the corruption of demons they could not control.
The witch hunter’s handbook (Wikimedia Commons)Witchcraft and women
While men also feature in the infamous 15th century witch-hunting manual Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of the Witches), the work has long been recognised as deeply misogynistic. It suggests that women’s perceived lack of intelligence made them submissive to demons. One section reads:
“Just as through the first defect in their [women’s] intelligence they are more prone to abjure the faith; so through their second defect of inordinate passions … they inflict various vengeances through witchcraft. Wherefore it is no wonder that so great a number of witches exist in this sex.”
By the end of the middle ages, a view of women as especially susceptible to witchcraft had emerged. The notion that a witch might travel by broomstick (especially when contrasted with the male who conjures a demon horse on which to ride) underscores the domestic sphere to which women belonged.
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The perceived threat to established norms inherent in the idea that women were moving beyond their expected societal roles is also mirrored in a number of the accusations levelled against male witches.
One example, a 13th-century letter by Pope Gregory IX, described a gathering of heretics which was very similar to the later descriptions of the witches’ sabbath. It stated that at orgies, if there were not enough women, men would engage in “depravity” with other men. In doing so, they were seen to become effeminate, subverting the natural laws believed to govern sexuality.
Magic was then, in many ways, viewed by the church as an expression of rebellion against established norms and institutions, including gendered identities.
Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent eventsThe idea that women might have been dabbling with the demonic magic previously associated with educated males, however inaccurate it may have been, was frightening. Neither men nor women were allowed to engage with demons, but while men stood a chance at resisting demonic control because of their education, women did not.
Their perceived lack of intelligence, together with contemporary notions regarding their “passions”, meant that they were understood as more likely to make pacts of “fidelity to devils” whom they could not control – so in the eyes of the medieval church, women were more easily disposed to witchcraft than men.
Jennifer Farrell is a lecturer in medieval history at the University of Exeter. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)
It is important for the protagonist to be cautious and alert when living in such proximity to a wicked witch, as any misstep could result in dire consequences. On the other hand, the idea of a wicked witch living under one's house also raises questions about the nature of good and evil. Is the witch truly wicked, or is she simply misunderstood? Could there be circumstances or motivations that explain her behavior? These are all fascinating questions to consider when contemplating the presence of a wicked witch under a house. Additionally, the concept of a wicked witch living under one's house highlights the importance of one's living environment. It serves as a reminder that the spaces we inhabit can have a significant impact on our well-being and sense of security. Living in close proximity to a wicked witch could create a feeling of unease and danger, making it difficult for someone to feel safe and at peace in their own home. In conclusion, the notion of a wicked witch living under someone's house is a captivating and thought-provoking concept. It evokes feelings of fear, curiosity, and intrigue, as well as raising questions about the nature of good and evil and the significance of our living environment. This idea opens up a world of possibilities and imagination, inviting us to explore the depths of our own fears and wonder..
Reviews for "Tales from the Wicked Witch's Lair Under the Bouse"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with 'Wicked witch lgs under bouse'. The storyline was hard to follow and the characters were not well-developed. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself not caring about their fate. The writing style was also a bit confusing and had me constantly flipping back and forth to understand what was happening. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book."
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "I found 'Wicked witch lgs under bouse' to be a complete waste of time. The plot was weak and lacked originality. The characters felt like one-dimensional stereotypes and their actions were predictable. The author's attempt at humor fell flat, and I did not find any of the jokes funny. I tried to finish it but eventually gave up as it did not hold my interest. I would not recommend this book to anyone."
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Unfortunately, 'Wicked witch lgs under bouse' did not live up to the hype for me. The pacing of the story was off, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed plot developments. The writing itself was mediocre, with overly descriptive passages that added little to the overall story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Overall, I wouldn't say it's the worst book I've read, but it definitely fell short of my expectations."