Early Modern Supernatural: The Dark Side of European Culture, 1400–1700 (Praeger Series on the Early Modern World Praeger Series on t)

The dark side of early modern European culture could be deemed equal in historical significance to Christianity based on the hundreds of books that were printed about the topic between 1400 and 1700. Famous writers and artists like William Shakespeare and Albrecht Dürer depicted the dark side in their work, and some of the first printed books in Europe were about witches. The pervasive representation of these monsters and apparitions in period literature, folklore, and art clearly reflects their power to inspire fear and superstition, but also demonstrates how integral they were to early modern European culture.This unique book addresses topics of the supernatural within the context of the early modern period in Europe, covering "mythical" entities such as devils, witches, ghosts, poltergeists, and werewolves in detail and examining how they fit in with the emerging new scientific method of the time. This unique combination of cultural studies for the period is ideal for undergraduate students and general readers. Devils, ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves, and witches are all covered in this book about the'dark side'of supernatural beliefs in early modern Europe, tapping period literature, folklore, art, and scholarly writings in its investigation.The dark side of early modern European culture could be deemed equal in historical significance to Christianity based on the hundreds of books that were printed about the topic between 1400 and 1700. Famous writers and artists like William Shakespeare and Albrecht Dürer depicted the dark side in their work, and some of the first printed books in Europe were about witches. The pervasive representation of these monsters and apparitions in period literature, folklore, and art clearly reflects their power to inspire fear and superstition, but also demonstrates how integral they were to early modern European culture.This unique book addresses topics of the supernatural within the context of the early modern period in Europe, covering'mythical'entities such as devils, witches, ghosts, poltergeists, and werewolves in detail and examining how they fit in with the emerging new scientific method of the time. This unique combination of cultural studies for the period is ideal for undergraduate students and general readers. The dark side of early modern European culture could be deemed equal in historical significance to Christianity based on the hundreds of books that were printed about the topic between 1400 and 1700. Famous writers and artists like William Shakespeare and Albrecht Durer depicted the dark side in their work, and some of the first printed books in Europe were about witches. The pervasive representation of these monsters and apparitions in period literature, folklore, and art clearly reflects their power to inspire fear and superstition, but also demonstrates how integral they were to early modern European culture. This unique book addresses topics of the supernatural within the context of the early modern period in Europe, covering "mythical" entities such as devils, witches, ghosts, poltergeists, and werewolves in detail and examining how they fit in with the emerging new scientific method of the time. This unique combination of cultural studies for the period is ideal for undergraduate students and general readers. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 Introduction......Page 8 The Devil and Devils......Page 26 Witches......Page 62 Demonology, Possession, and Exorcism......Page 104 Black Magic......Page 130 Ghosts, Specters, and Poltergeists......Page 148 Werewolves......Page 164 Conclusion......Page 180 Early Modern Artists Who Depicted Themes from the Dark Side......Page 188 Biographical Notes on Some Notable Dark Side Experts......Page 210 Notes......Page 222 Bibliography......Page 236 Index......Page 248 About the Author......Page 256 "This unique book addresses topics of the supernatural within the context of the early modern period in Europe, covering "mythical" entities such as devils, witches, ghosts, poltergeists, and werewolves in detail and examining how they fit in with the emerging new scientific method of the time. This unique combination of cultural studies for the period is ideal for undergraduate students and general readers." From Amazon The Devil and Devils Witches Demonology, Possession and Exorcism Black Magic Ghosts, Spectres and Poltergeists Werewolves Appendix I: Early Modern Artists Who Depicted Themes from the Dark Side Appendix II: Biographical Notes on Some Notable Dark Side Experts. Devils, ghosts, poltergeists, werewolves, and witches are all covered in this book about the "dark side" of supernatural beliefs in early modern Europe, tapping period literature, folklore, art, and scholarly writings in its investigation.