Witchcraft in the Middle Ages

Thesis: Witchcraft in the Middle Ages were feared throughout Europe. There were two types of magic that was practiced during the middle ages and they were, White magic and Black magic.

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Topic Sentence: Witchcraft in the Middle Ages was a crime that was equally punishable by poisoning. If a person was accused of witchcraft, the charges could be dropped by a relative's defense in a trial by combat, or by twelve people swearing an oath of the accused's innocence.

"Tens of thousands of people in Europe and European colonies died," and "millions of others suffered torture, arrest, interrogation, hate, guilt, or fear" (Gershman 2)

"In regions where witchcraft belief is high, people are less likely to trust others, including their family, neighbors" (Gershman 1)

Concluding Sentence: During the Medieval times people blamed unexplainable events as the doings of witchcraft and witches. There were a lot of outbreaks of the deadly Black Death and their was not a cure for it. The fear and anger about this terrible disease was always directed at someone no matter what.

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Topic Sentence: Magic was believed to be a creation of the demon and associated with demon worship.

"Black Magic was the "bad" type of magic. Black Magic had more of an association with the devil and satanic worship. If someone became ill of unknown causes, this was often said to be caused by witches who would practice black magic."(Newman 1)

"Black magic had many harms caused to society, such as accidents, deaths, or bad luck, were also known to be caused by Black Magic." (Newman 1)

Concluding Sentence: Blackmagic always meant bad news and nothing luck ever came from black magic. This also relates to Macbeth because, even though it's most likely not black magic that makes him keep killing people, but the story of Macbeth can relate magic. White closely to not just black magic, but also to Witchcraft.

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Topic Sentence: White Magic represented Christianity, and it focused on nature and herbs. It was the "good" type of magic.

"White Magic was used for good luck, love spells, wealth, and spells for good health."(Newman 1)

"Astrology was another major part of White Magic. Alchemy, which is the practice of making potions, was a part of White Magic as well." (Newman 1)

Concluding Sentence: White magic was probably the magic one would want to use, because it symbolizes healing and it also represents Christianity.

Conclusion

When people talk about Witches and Witchcraft in the Middle Ages, the Witches were often portrayed as as old as wrinkled women. This is because the church wanted them to be targets of dislike and hatred. Their beliefs of witchcraft were never old, ugly, and liked in Europe, and they always used magic and spells to get their point across.

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