How Witches Were Misunderstood During the Elizabethan Era Essay Example
How Witches Were Misunderstood during the Elizabethan Era Witches, during the Elizabethan Era were a dangerous, evil menace to society that made pacts with the devil and had supernatural powers that were used to commit unspeakable crimes against humanity. Witches were held responsible for sudden deaths, illnesses or accidents. The public hated the witches for these calamities that the witches had no knowledge of or control over. Many times they were burned at the stake or drowned. Witches were greatly misunderstood during the Elizabethan Era due to a superstitious perception of their religion, lifestyle, and intricate knowledge of nature and natural medicine. For hundreds of years, the word “witch” has been associated with innumerable negative images. Witches were considered devil worshipers who committed scores of evil deeds toward society. By the 14th Century, a law was passed outlawing any practice of witchcraft or sorcery; anyone in Europe accused of witchcraft was subject to the torture and execution. In the 1450’s there was a breakout of violent persecutions against people accused of being witches. “During this time more than 100,000 people (mostly woman) were killed for allegedly practicing witchcraft” (Kallen 33) . Witches were viewed by the public as dangerous and uncontrollable menaces to society. They were believed to have relationships with the devil, this relationship was developed because of the church demonizing the witches in the 1450’s. During this time, people lacked medical knowledge about sickness and disease. When the witches were healthy during many of these wide spread diseases, the people believed they were the ones that cursed everyone with it. The people believed that witches could curse people that they did not like. In the city, It was common for old beggars to be on the side of the street asking for change but when people refused to give the beggars coins, they would angrily curse at the passersby. If the people that the