| Papers [1-15] of 100 :: [Page 1 of 7] | | Go to page : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 —> | Search results on "WITCHES": |
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Women as Witches in the European Witch Hunts, 2003.
An exploration of the gender imbalance in witchcraft accusations during the European witch hunts from a feminist perspective.
3,140 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 30 sources, MLA, $ 91.95
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Abstract
This essay explores the disproportionate number of witchcraft accusations levelled against women during the European witch hunts. It posits that this gender imbalance is directly linked to the patriarchal nature of society by examining the definitional power of men and the subsequent perception of women. Using Jungian/ Lacanian understandings of the 'shadow' and Other, this piece has as its underlying contention that it is women's lack of power to define themselves within a patriarchal society that has led men to project their fear of self onto a woman, indeed all women, and term her 'witch'.
From the Paper
"The identity of ?woman? as it was perceived in early modern times can be further seen as a man-made myth upon closer examination of the nature of patriarchy. Man attempted to label, categorise, map and understand women, and do so with the use of male terms, but because patriarchy is a relational construct such attempts only reinforce for men that ?woman? is not ?man,? she is ?Other.? And in this position as Other, women will always retain some element of mystery, of hidden depths and secret knowledge, never greater than man, but always promising more than he is capable of comprehending. It is the impossibility of exact male knowledge that creates for man the opportunity to map his own meaning upon this depth of Otherness."
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The Witches of "Macbeth", 2005.
Explores the witches of Macbeth as supernatural beings.
950 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 33.95
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Abstract
This paper argues that the witches in "Macbeth" are diabolical beings who possess humans. The paper suggests that the characters in the play unconsciously echo the witches in the beginning, though not one of the characters had actually met the witches, suggesting something a little deeper than the average witchery that people think happened in "Macbeth".
From the Paper
"William C. Carroll's description of the witches in his introduction to Macbeth is that of "malevolent external figures" (Carroll 2) who "symbolize the dark inner mental state of Macbeth himself" (2). The key point in Carroll's argument to be made is that while the witches can influence Macbeth's actions, they cannot compel him to commit evil deeds. The witches represent the dark powers that have the ability to influence men's decisions, but, more importantly, they are an outward representation of Macbeth's inner evil. It is this evilness and greed within his own human nature that persuades him, rather than it being the fate of the witches. The witches represent what Macbeth has hidden inside himself. He has already contemplated killing Duncan, but the witches have given Macbeth a motive for committing the murder."
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Lady Macbeth and the Witches, 2004.
This paper discusses Lady Macbeth and the witches as catalysts to the action throughout William Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
1,152 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 39.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Lady Macbeth and the witches play a vital role in pushing Macbeth to choose the evil path to the crown in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth". It looks at how Lady Macbeth plays the masculine role during the opening scenes of the play and forces her ambitious ways upon Macbeth and how, throughout the play, her famous speeches and soliloquies show the extent of her influence on Macbeth. It also explores how the witches use Macbeth?s character flaw to their advantage and entice Macbeth to act on his ambition of obtaining the crown.
From the Paper
"Lady Macbeth is part of the instigation behind the unleashing of Macbeth?s evil side. Lady Macbeth?s words to her husband as well as her many influential soliloquies show her longing for power and therefore she urges Macbeth to murder Duncan. Macbeth and his wife have a very strong relationship in which they greatly influence one another?s actions. In the first two acts it becomes apparent that Lady Macbeth?s words mean a great deal to her husband, which gives the impression that she is the dominant figure in the relationship. In Act 1, Scene 5 we find out that as soon as she receives her husband?s letter she instantly begins to plot and scheme. We immediately become aware of the fact that she wants Macbeth to become king, so she can become the Queen of Scotland."
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The Witches and Macbeth, 2008.
An analysis of the function of the witches in William Shakespeare's "Macbeth".
1,726 words (approx. 6.9 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper searches to illuminate the reasons for the rise and fall of Macbeth, owing to the role played by the witches. It discusses how their effect on him and the significance of their presence contribute to understanding Macbeth's actions throughout the play.
From the Paper
"Banquo is not at all disturbed or even intrigued by the witches' predictions and seems to forget about their emergence as quickly as they had vanished. Macbeth is mesmerized and as he said in the last sentence, he wishes they had stayed, obviously so they he could pry more predictions from them because they were in his favor. From this point on in the play, Shakespeare begins to reveal Macbeth's insanity, showing that he is caught up in his own world which he is trying to create based on the witches' forecasts for his future."
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The Crucible and the Communist: Witches and Politics do Not Mix, 2002.
A comparison of the witch trials in Arthur Miller's "Crucible" to the persecution of the Un-American Activities Committee in America.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper discuss the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 as written by Arthur Miller in his play the Crucible and compares it to the work of the Un-American Activities Committee in America during the post war years.
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Giles Corey and the Salem Witch Trials, 2005.
This paper discusses the case of Giles Corey and the Salem witch trials, which demonstrates the insanity of the witch craze in American history.
1,275 words (approx. 5.1 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses Giles Corey in the the Salem witch trials, which reveals that there was no legitimate case against him; rather, it appears that Corey was presumed to be guilty by mere association. The author points out that Corey did not help his case by refusing to plead one way or another, but records indicate that he was in what we commonly refer to today as a loose-loose situation. The paper concludes that Giles Corey is a significant figure in American history because his death illustrates the magnitude of mob mentality; his death, along with the deaths of the other so-called witches, should serve as a constant reminder of how not to behave when things begin to get complicated.
From the Paper
"Corey's testimony against his wife certainly did damage in many respects. According to Marion Starkey, Corey was a "blundering husband" who tried his best to tell the court the truth about Martha. This truth, Starkey notes, was "unimpressive, unconvincing." His testimony revealed that Corey "found it hard to pray when Martha was about and was in turned bothered by her own fluency in prayer." Not only did this testimony bring more doubt against his wife, many in the courtroom thought that "his very stupidity" might be a "mask for something else." Hoffer looks into the possibility that Corey might have been legitimately confused at his wife's trial. In all fairness, Hoffer notes that Corey was as "bewildered as anyone at the antics of the girls." It is understandable that his confusion regarding his wife was not only used against her but it was also used against him as well. "
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Bewitched: The True Story Of The Salem Witch Trials, 2002.
This is an in-depth study of the Salem witch trials and the affects of this tragedy on human life at the time.
1,470 words (approx. 5.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
The paper first takes a look at the women accused and their backgrounds and pleas. Its inspects each one's life and social backgrounds and why it was thought that they were witches. The paper also includes recent studies as to why these poor women were thought to be witches by the towns people in Salem.
From the Paper
"Witchcraft has historically been a part of English folklore and theology. Obsession with paganism began with a vengeance following the Reformation and, unfortunately, continued when many moved their families to the New World to avoid religious persecution. Though men were occasionally accused of practicing witchcraft, it was primarily women who were targeted. Why? The male-dominated society maintained that women, being the weaker sex, were more susceptible to the temptations of Satan. "
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The Salem Witch Trials, 2002.
An analyis of the Salem witch trials in the 17th century.
2,895 words (approx. 11.6 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 85.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the events of the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts in 1692. The paper presents physiological, psychological and sociological theories from various sources, which aim to provide a logical explanation of what happened during the Salem witch trials. The paper offers the opinion that the witch trials occured as a result of a combination of these theories or perhaps a theory not yet thought of.
From the Paper
"The Salem witch trials were an atrocity in a period of American history. Several young girls, who had heard tales of the supernatural from a West Indian slave, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused three women of witchcraft. Put in that position, the three women, in turn, named others in false confessions (Merriam-Webster 1416). This caused hysteria much like Joseph McCarthy caused in 1950 in his hunt for Communists. Unlike the McCarthy era, the penalty for ?witches? was death. Anyone that behaved in a way that people couldn?t understand was subjected to scrutiny."
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"The Crucible" & Salem Witch Trials, 2002.
Analysis of Arthur Miller's play, "The Crucible" and a comparison of the events in this play to the Salem Witch Trials.
651 words (approx. 2.6 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 23.95
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Abstract
This paper shows how Miller bases the events of his play on the Salem Witch Trials in the 1650's. The play is also inspired by the pseudo witch hunts that occured in Hollywood in the 1950's in the search of Communists, fanned on by McCarthy's laws. It examines whether Miller managed to depict true events of the Salem Witch Trials in his play or whether these were blown out of proportion.
From the Paper
"The accuracy of Arthur Miller?s play, The Crucible, with regards to the actual events upon which he based his play have been the subject of much speculation since he wrote the play in 1953. Miller wrote the play because of the witch-hunt of sorts occurring in Hollywood as the scare of Communism caused the anti-Communism trials headed up by Senator Joseph McCarthy earlier that year (Margo Burns). Miller did not base his play on the actual events that happened in 1692, but rather was inspired by the events. He took actual events in history and then wrote a play. Miller was justified in taking artistic liberties with the historical accuracy, however there is several major (and plenty of minor) discrepancies regarding what actually happened, and what Miller came up with. Pointing out those discrepancies is my purpose ? not to criticize Miller?s imagination."
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"Witch of Salem" and "The Yellow Wallpaper", 2005.
The theme of social awareness concerning women's issues in "I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem" by Maryse Conde and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins-Gilman.
1,452 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 48.95
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Abstract
Two stories that raise social consciousness as well as tell a story are "I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem", by Maryse Conde and "The Yellow Wallpaper," by Charlotte Perkins-Gilman. The writer explains that Conde and Gilman approach their stories with an overall need to raise consciousness to a segment of history that has literally been overlooked or ignored. Conde raises awareness about the Puritan witch-hunts that occurred in Salem and Gilman raises awareness of women who suffered from postpartum depression in the nineteenth century. It shows how both women attempt to bring attention to areas of concern that have either been neglected or simply aside by society. While both of these pieces of literature have the same aim, the characters in them experience very different outcomes. The writer points out that Tituba gains strength as her life progresses while the narrator in "The Yellow Wallpaper," slowly loses her sense of identity. It concludes that these differing views help us understand the angles from which both authors are operating. By using the narrative form to emphasize the plight of women, each author is giving each story a more personal feel, heightening our experience.
From the Paper
"Both women are struggling against a society that wishes to shut them up. For example, in I, Tituba, Black Witch of Salem, Tituba demonstrates her strength of character in her desire to pass her story along. She comes from a generation of storytellers and carries on this tradition for herself and future generations. Through her story, she can survive and, as a result, her suffering can possibly help someone else. She is helped along her journey with Mama Yaya, Abena, and Yao, spirits who visit her and offer her advice. While she cannot always speak with them, she is aware of their presence. For instance, sometimes a "frail shadow would communicate a "mysterious warmth in an intangible way" (Conde 84). She is strong enough to withstand beatings of the worse kind and part of this is because of the spirits of the women in her past. In "The Yellow Wallpaper," the narrator is struggling not only against her mental illness but also against what her husband and society thinks of her condition. The narrator in this story has no support whatsoever and suffers because she has no to which she can turn. He husband is not convinced that her illness is anything serious and, as a result, treats her like a child most of the time. For example, he tells her that her "imaginative power and habit of story-making . . . is sure to lead to all manner of excited fancies" (Gilman 764). His lack of concern coupled with his orders for his wife to move about as little as possible illustrates the scope of the narrator's battle. "
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"The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe", 2007.
This paper analyzes the implied readers in C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe".
2,001 words (approx. 8.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 63.95
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Abstract
The paper relates that the implied readers of "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" are likely children of both sexes aged from about 6 to 12. The paper discusses how Lewis was a devout Christian and his aim in "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" was clearly to convey to his readers the importance of certain moral values that are associated with Christianity. The paper shows how Lewis reflects values of the British people he grew up with and teaches the implied readers certain stereotypes about "appropriate" gendered behaviors.
From the Paper
"As the lessons Lewis wants to convey to the implied reader are so closely related to both his religion and his society, it is illuminating to begin with a little background information about Lewis. He was born in Ireland in 1898. At the age of 10, he was sent to boarding school in England. He later attended Oxford University, and then became an English teacher there. He spent his entire life teaching at Oxford and then Cambridge, and writing books, and died in 1963. Thus, Lewis was firmly rooted in an English culture. Consequently he must have absorbed the values that were held by other upper middle class British people in the first half of the 20th century. With regard to religion, Lewis was an atheist till the age of 33, and then converted to Christianity. This conversion is reflected in many of his books, which dealt either implicitly or explicitly with Christian values and morals."
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The Salem Witch Trials, 2007.
A discussion and background of the Salem Witch Trials.
752 words (approx. 3.0 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 26.95
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Abstract
This paper gives the historic background of the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting the mass hysteria that lead to such an event. The author argues that we can learn from the lessons of the Salem Witch Trials, in particular with regard to terrorist accusations, or other finger pointing based on fear not fact. The paper concludes with the outcome of the trials and how the accused and/or their families were eventually compensated.
Outline:
Introduction
The Trials
Events in Salem
Causes
From the Paper
"The of the trials was based in hysteria. People did not understand what was wrong with the young girls who initially became ill and they became fearful as it spread that if it were not stopped everyone was doomed. This fear spurned a hysteria in which anyone who acted remotely different or non sociable by society standards was accused of being a witch. At that time society had a fear of the devil and the devil's abilities that could overtaken common sense and did."
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The Salem Witch Trials. 1692, 2001.
A chronicle of the events that led up to the Salem Witch trials and a synopsis of the trials and the people involved.
1,298 words (approx. 5.2 pages), 4 sources, $ 43.95
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Abstract
This paper chronicles the witch trials of 1692 and argues that the main reasons why the witch trials occurred were conflicts dealing with politics, religion, family, economics, and fears of the citizens.
From the Paper
"After the investigation, Hawthorne and Corwin decided that the three women were all guilty of witchcraft. They were all taken to a Boston jail, where Sarah Osborne would later die from natural causes. Even after the three women were taken to jail, the accusations still continued in the village. "
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Salem Witch Trials, 2002.
This descriptive essay tells the story of one woman?s experience during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692.
1,370 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
Using an imaginary story as an example, this paper illustrates the experience of going through a witch trial in the 1600s. It traces events from the arrest of the woman, interrogation, treatment in prison through to the Salem witch trials a few weeks later. The experience of the trial is also looked at in detail.
From the Paper
"My name was Sarah Nurse, and I lived in Salem Village, in the year 1692. Several weeks ago, many men came to my house, and showed me a warrant for my arrest. They questioned me for some time, and then told me they were taking me to jail. Jail! For something I did not even understand. They took me away so quickly; I did not even have time to kiss my dear children and husband goodbye."
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The Salem Witch Hunts, 2008.
Looks at the myths surrounding the Salem witch hunts.
775 words (approx. 3.1 pages), 4 sources, MLA, $ 27.95
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Abstract
The paper discusses the Salem witch hunts in the context of the effect the Indian War and not the sexually wanting young girls. The author points out that court transcripts of the trials give a psychological insight into the anguish and ambiguities of the people during this time. The paper concludes that the Salem witch trials are an example of how the remembrances of the past are not necessarily the facts.
From the Paper
"The perception that women who were accused of being witches were liberal, unmarried, lesbians, had more knowledge in medicine or religion than doctors or priests or that they were victims of women haters is untrue. Many women accused of witchcraft were married and had families. Men were the judges in a witch trial but rarely an accuser. Most testimonials given at the witch trials were by women. The severity of the punishment for the crime of witchcraft was just as strong in Catholic areas as it was in Protestant areas."
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