In the autumn of 1589, the town of Bedburg in Germany was the scene of a sensational trial. Peter Stubbe faced accusations of committing horrific crimes, including murder, assault, and cannibalism. However, the most chilling charge was that he was a werewolf. During his confession, Peter claimed that the devil had given him a magical girdle, enabling him to transform into a wolf to carry out his dreadful deeds.
Stories of werewolves have been around long before Peter Stubbe’s trial and continue to captivate imaginations today. These tales are particularly prevalent in European literature and folklore, especially in regions where wolves are the largest natural predators. Over time, the image of the werewolf has evolved, often reflecting the fears and biases of different eras.
In early literature, werewolves were sometimes portrayed as tragic figures: humans cursed to become wolves, yearning to regain their human form. One of the earliest accounts of werewolves appears in the story of Gilgamesh, written over 4,000 years ago. In this tale, a shepherd falls in love with the goddess Ishtar, who transforms him into a wolf when she tires of his affection. Many such stories depict werewolves as men ensnared by deceitful women.
The medieval tale of “Bisclavret” tells of a knight who is trapped in wolf form by his wife’s betrayal, as she abandons him for another man. Other early stories delve into fears about the darker aspects of human nature, exploring taboos like cannibalism and murder. In ancient Greek mythology, King Lycaon is turned into a wolf by Zeus after attempting to deceive the god into eating human flesh.
As Catholicism spread across Europe, werewolves became increasingly associated with magic, sorcery, and pagan beliefs. By the 16th century, many people struggled to distinguish between werewolf myths and reality. The political, economic, and religious turmoil of the time led to the infamous European witch trials. Although witches were the primary targets, alleged werewolves like Peter Stubbe were also tried and executed.
Today, some historians view these trials as fueled by a fear of outsiders and as early attempts by society to comprehend brutal crimes. Public belief in werewolves waned by the 17th century as advances in medicine and psychology provided alternative explanations. However, the myth resurfaced in literature, and by the Victorian era, werewolves often symbolized fears of moral and psychological decay.
In George Reynolds’s “Wagner the Wehrwolf,” the protagonist makes a pact with the devil for eternal youth, transforming into a violent wolf at the end of each month. By the mid-20th century, werewolves found a new home in cinema, taking on their modern form. The 1935 film “Werewolf of London” popularized the idea that the curse could be transmitted through bites and triggered by a full moon.
Produced in the United States, the film suggested that the werewolf infection originated from the east, specifically Tibet, reflecting the xenophobic fears of the time that East Asian immigrants threatened Western stability. The use of silver as a weapon against werewolves became popular after its depiction in the 1941 film “The Wolf Man.” Written by Jewish writer Curt Siodmak, the film is seen by many scholars as an allegory for Nazi brutality.
In the film, a pentagram appears on the palm of the werewolf’s next victim, possibly alluding to the compulsory Star of David badges in Europe during the 1930s and 40s. Since the 1950s, cinematic werewolves have often targeted teenagers, symbolizing male aggression and the uncertainties of adolescence. By the end of the century, some films began using the transformation to explore themes of puberty, occasionally from a feminist perspective.
Like all great monsters, the werewolf continues to endure and adapt to the needs of future audiences. For now, it might be wise to keep some silver handy, stay on the path, and be cautious of the full moon.
Investigate a historical werewolf trial, such as that of Peter Stubbe, and prepare a presentation on the societal and cultural factors that contributed to the trial. Consider the role of religion, politics, and local folklore. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how these trials reflect the fears and beliefs of the time.
Choose two different werewolf legends from distinct cultures or time periods. Write a comparative analysis that explores the similarities and differences in how werewolves are portrayed. Discuss how these stories reflect the cultural values and fears of their respective societies.
Write a short story that reimagines the werewolf myth in a contemporary setting. Incorporate modern themes such as identity, transformation, or societal fears. Share your story with your peers and discuss how the werewolf myth can be adapted to address current issues.
Watch a werewolf film, such as “The Wolf Man” or “Ginger Snaps,” and analyze its themes, symbolism, and cultural context. Write a review that examines how the film reflects the era in which it was made and how it contributes to the evolution of the werewolf myth.
Participate in a debate on whether werewolves are primarily symbols of human nature’s darker aspects or if they serve as metaphors for societal fears. Prepare arguments for both sides and engage in a class discussion to explore the multifaceted symbolism of werewolves in literature and film.
In the fall of 1589, the town of Bedburg, Germany, held a highly publicized trial. Peter Stubbe was accused of several gruesome crimes, including murder, assault, and cannibalism. However, perhaps the most sinister accusation was that he was a werewolf. In his confession, Peter claimed that the devil had given him a magic girdle, which allowed him to transform into a wolf and commit his horrific acts.
Stories of werewolves existed well before this trial and continue to persist today. They are especially prominent in European literature and folklore, often found in cultures where the wolf is the largest natural predator. Over the years, the image of the werewolf has evolved, often reflecting the fears and prejudices of the time.
In early literature, werewolves were sometimes depicted as sympathetic figures: victims of curses who longed to return to their human form. In the story of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest written accounts of werewolves from over 4,000 years ago, a shepherd falls in love with the goddess of love, Ishtar, who transforms him into a wolf when she grows tired of his affection. In this and several other stories, werewolves were often men who had fallen prey to deceitful, alluring women.
The medieval story of “Bisclavret” tells of a knight trapped in wolf form by the cunning of his wife, who leaves him to elope with another man. Other early stories explored fears about the darker side of human nature, including taboos such as cannibalism and murder. In ancient Greek mythology, King Lycaon was transformed into a wolf by Zeus after he attempted to trick the god into eating human flesh.
As Catholicism spread throughout Europe, werewolves became increasingly linked to magic, sorcery, and pagan beliefs. By the 16th century, many people struggled to separate werewolf fiction from fact. Political, economic, and religious upheavals gave rise to the infamous European witch trials. While witches were the main targets, in some areas, alleged werewolves like Peter Stubbe were also tried and executed.
Today, some historians view the trials as driven by a fear of outsiders, as well as society’s early attempts to understand brutal crimes. While public belief in werewolves diminished by the 17th century as medicine and psychology advanced, the myth re-emerged in literature. By the Victorian period, werewolves had transformed again, often embodying fears of moral and psychological decay.
In George Reynolds’s “Wagner the Wehrwolf,” the protagonist makes a pact with the devil to achieve eternal youth, but in return, he transforms into a violent howling wolf at the end of every month. By the mid-20th century, werewolves found a new home on the silver screen, where the werewolf began to take its modern form. For example, the idea that the curse could be transmitted through bites and triggered by a full moon was popularized with the 1935 film “Werewolf of London.”
Produced in the United States, the film identifies the werewolf infection as originating from the east—specifically Tibet. This mirrored xenophobic fears of the time—that East Asian immigrants posed a threat to the stability and power of the West. Werewolf hunters adopted silver as their weapon of choice after its use in 1941’s “The Wolf Man.” Written by Jewish writer Curt Siodmak, the film is viewed by many scholars as an allegory for Nazi brutality.
In the film, a pentagram appears on the palm of the werewolf’s next victim, which is thought to allude to the compulsory Star of David badges found in Europe during the 1930s and 40s. Since the 1950s, cinematic werewolves have frequently targeted a new group of victims: teenagers. Here, werewolves often symbolize male aggression and the uncertainty of adolescence. By the end of the century, some films began to use the beastly transformation to explore themes of puberty, occasionally with a distinctly feminist perspective.
Yet, like all great monsters, the werewolf lives on and will continue to change to fit future audiences’ needs. For now, it may be best to stock up on silver, keep to the road, and beware the moon.
Werewolves – Mythical creatures that are said to transform from humans into wolves, often associated with folklore and literature. – In medieval literature, werewolves were often depicted as tragic figures cursed to roam the night in search of redemption.
Literature – Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit, often reflecting cultural and historical contexts. – The study of Victorian literature reveals much about the social norms and values of 19th-century England.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, often analyzed through written records and artifacts. – Understanding the history of the Renaissance period provides insight into the cultural rebirth that influenced modern Western literature.
Folklore – The traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth. – Folklore often serves as a rich source of material for authors, who weave these tales into their literary works.
Myths – Traditional stories, especially those concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, often involving supernatural beings or events. – Greek myths have been a profound influence on Western literature, providing archetypes and themes that resonate through the ages.
Trials – Formal examinations of evidence in a court, or metaphorically, the challenges faced by characters in literature and history. – The Salem witch trials are a poignant example of mass hysteria and injustice, often explored in historical literature.
Magic – The use of supernatural powers to influence events, often a central theme in literature and folklore. – In Arthurian legends, magic is a powerful force wielded by characters like Merlin, shaping the destiny of kings and knights.
Transformation – A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance, frequently a theme in literature symbolizing personal growth or change. – Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis” explores the transformation of its protagonist into an insect, serving as a metaphor for alienation and identity crisis.
Cinema – The art of making motion pictures, which often adapts literary works to reach broader audiences and explore historical narratives. – The adaptation of classic novels into cinema allows for a visual exploration of themes and settings that enhance the original text.
Adolescence – The transitional stage of development between childhood and adulthood, often depicted in literature as a time of self-discovery and growth. – Many coming-of-age novels focus on the trials and tribulations of adolescence, capturing the essence of this pivotal life stage.
