MoC
02-16-2004, 01:49 PM
I wrote this about a month ago for a project. I can see a few errors now... But such as life. I took out the errors I could see, if anyone can see any others, it would be appreciated. I figured it may be useful for other people.
Werewolf; The Evolution Of A Myth
Since the dawn of civilization, man has been drawn to tales of the half-man, half-wolf creature we now call the Werewolf. Over time, this creature has both terrified and entertained us. However, what we have overlooked in the slavering beast is how it's level of compassion and humanity has augmented over time, most notably in the last fifty years, thanks to the tenets of free speech, the rise of environmentalism and the invention of film. From murderer to victim of circumstance, the Werewolf has become more humane than some two-leggers.
It is interesting to note that nearly every society on Earth has had it's own version of the Werewolf, using the most predatory animal available to the region. For instance, the bear and coyote in Native American cultures, the hyena in Africa, the tiger in India and the wolf in Europe. In Greece, it was believed that men could also turn into dogs or cows.
The Werewolf has existed in literature for over 4000 years. The first literary evidence of the Werewolf can be found in The Epic of Gilgamesh, which was penned in the year 2000 B.C. In 450 B.C Homer's Odyssey contained traces of the beliefs in the Werewolf. In addtion, written between 100 and 75 B.C., Virgil's eigth Ecologue is the first voluntary transformation of a werewolf in literature.(Timeline of the Werewolf)
Our hairy friend makes another appearance in Greek mythology as Lycaeon(Lycaon, Lycan, Lycon), a mortal man known as the wolf-king Ovid I, 163). Lycaeon was cursed by Zeus when he served his god the flesh of man to test Zeus' omnipotence. This may cause some confusion due to the fact that the Romans incorporated Greek mythology into their belief system when the Roman civilization rose to power. This tale was altered to the Roman god Jupiter. The name Lycaeon led to the term lycanthropy.
In Scandanavian countries, a distinct type of warrior became known as "beserkers", but "Bear-sarks" to their enemies. Soldiers in the opposing armies believed that the fur draped, howling men bearing down on them were actually half-men, half-wolf creatures on the battlefield. Though this is now more the contemporary image of Viking warriors, this 900 A.D. brush with men wearing animal skins instead of armour is a significant contribution to the notoriety of the Werewolf.
In antiquity, the signs of a Werewolf were characterized by a pentagram or mole on the body, the first and middle finger being the same length, hairy knuckles and palms, unibrows... This likely evolved into what the Christian witch-hunters looked for when seeking out werewolves during the time of the witch hunts. In 1270, it was consided heretical to not believe in werewolves.(Encyclop edia Mythica) During the Middle Ages, to be charged with being a Werewolf or "riding a wolf" was tantamount to being in league with Satan himself. What should be taken into consideration is that only a handful of men were accused of riding a wolf, for the majority this accusation was reserved for women. Male Werewolves were more common. Riding a wolf was the equivalent of being a Werewolf. Both were punishable by torture followed by death.
Weapons of the time were made with silver. A theory that circulates is that originally, it was the weapon dipped in a potion with the wolfbane plant in it that could kill a Werewolf. As time wore on, it is likely that the method changed to simply a silver weapon. Catholic religion dictated that the cross would repel anything sent by the Devil. Although this fact is more traditionally associated with Vampires, the cross is also "applicable" to other supernatural creatures such as Werewolves and Spirits.
During the 14th to 16th centuries, the Werewolf underwent quite a few changes. Using a belt/girdle or the skin of a wolf to initiate the change became the influence of the phases of the moon as the legend traveled across Europe. A main cause for the outbreaks of Werewolf trials was ergot, a brute form of LSD which can send a person into convulsions. Ergot, a fungus which develops into hallucinogenic drugs in bread, is a likely reason for the mass hysteria which led to so many villages believing they were plagued by Werewolves. It has been recorded to have have occurred twice in France and is thought to be responsible for the Salem witch trials.
In the 17th century, the charge of being werewolf became less common in European courts for lack of "evidence", although they continued until well into the 18th century. The belief in the beast never completely disappeared. Around the year 1600, it was the general concensus that even if there was no such thing as Werewolves, the wolf was at least the hound of the Devil.(Encyclopedia Mythica)
The first Werewolf we come in contact with as children is in the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, written by the Grimms brothers and published in 1812. A talking wolf, wearing the grandmother's clothing. This is one of the first literary portrayals of a wolf taking on human form, as opposed to a human changing into a wolf.
Althroughout history there have been cases of people believing they are werewolves. In 1589, Peter Stubbe admitted to killing 16 people while in the guise of a wolf. This may be caused by the fact that the traditional methods of extracting confessions were mainly painful, so many innoncents admitted their "crimes", choosing death over torture followed by death. In 1914, Freud published a paper titled, The Wolf-Man Case. However, Freud, followed his tried, tested and proven false style of diagnosis, and attributed this idea to suppressed infantile desires. Even today, there are entire web communities created by otherwise rational people who believe themselves to be either A) a shape-shifter, B) inhabited by two spirits, their own in addition to the spirit of an animal or C) an animal in the wrong body. The idea of shape shifting is becoming more and more popular among the younger generations.
This has led to several anothologies of short stories, entire series of novels, a multitude of films and at least two comic book series. The first Werewolf film in 1913, titled simply The Werewolf, showed the shape shifter as a beast out for revenge and capable of vviolence, although toned down to fit into acceptable society of the time. One of the more recent films depicting the lycanthrope is Underworld(2003). This film is an excellent example of how the Werewolf has become capable of compassion. It shows that a Werewolf can fall in love, can have human emotions such as regret.
In between these two films, over 150 have graced the silver screen in a variety of languages. And slowly, the Werewolf has evolved into a more a humane character. The Werewolf has been given emotions other than rage. More and more, Werewolves with families, trying to keep their loved ones safe from what they become for three days of the month has been the popular form. The Werewolf has become the average man, thrown into circumstances they never dreamed were possible. The Werewolf has been made into a character to be pitied, to feel a rapport with. This has only begun to appear in the last half century or so.
Although pulp fiction tended to treat the Werewolf as a monster, using them to create conflict and chaos in the lives of the main characters.(Haining) This can be seen in such titles as Wagner the Werewolf, an adventurous young man allied with brigands in a 16th century setting who meets a well-deserved end. Other penny dreadfuls depict the Werewolf as a murderous beast bent only on satiating it's thirst for blood.
Following pulp fiction came the comic books, Werewolf By Night. Two series share the same name, thus they will be referred to as the older and the more recent. The older series, from the early 1970's portrays a man that takes pride in his shape-shifting abilities, using them to combat the forces of evil. The more recent late 1990's version shows a man trying to balance a life with his more savage side. His attempts to cure himself so he can lead a normal life shows the characteristic human desire for normality and stability.
Rising concerns over the environment spawned the role-playing game Werewolf; The Apocalypse. Fighting the evils of the Wyrm and Weaver, they attempt to lead healthy productive lives. In laymans terms, Werewolves fighting corruption and pollution while trying to fit into society.(Werewolf; the Apocalypse) This is the most drastic change in the Werewolf's identity, as it is the monster trying to save humanity from the actions of man.
This is where the Werewolf has evolved to. Where the next fifty years will take it can only be theorized. The beast has undergone a tremendous transformation and it will be interesting to see where the myth's evolution will end or what new influence will change it's shape.
Werewolf; The Evolution Of A Myth
Since the dawn of civilization, man has been drawn to tales of the half-man, half-wolf creature we now call the Werewolf. Over time, this creature has both terrified and entertained us. However, what we have overlooked in the slavering beast is how it's level of compassion and humanity has augmented over time, most notably in the last fifty years, thanks to the tenets of free speech, the rise of environmentalism and the invention of film. From murderer to victim of circumstance, the Werewolf has become more humane than some two-leggers.
It is interesting to note that nearly every society on Earth has had it's own version of the Werewolf, using the most predatory animal available to the region. For instance, the bear and coyote in Native American cultures, the hyena in Africa, the tiger in India and the wolf in Europe. In Greece, it was believed that men could also turn into dogs or cows.
The Werewolf has existed in literature for over 4000 years. The first literary evidence of the Werewolf can be found in The Epic of Gilgamesh, which was penned in the year 2000 B.C. In 450 B.C Homer's Odyssey contained traces of the beliefs in the Werewolf. In addtion, written between 100 and 75 B.C., Virgil's eigth Ecologue is the first voluntary transformation of a werewolf in literature.(Timeline of the Werewolf)
Our hairy friend makes another appearance in Greek mythology as Lycaeon(Lycaon, Lycan, Lycon), a mortal man known as the wolf-king Ovid I, 163). Lycaeon was cursed by Zeus when he served his god the flesh of man to test Zeus' omnipotence. This may cause some confusion due to the fact that the Romans incorporated Greek mythology into their belief system when the Roman civilization rose to power. This tale was altered to the Roman god Jupiter. The name Lycaeon led to the term lycanthropy.
In Scandanavian countries, a distinct type of warrior became known as "beserkers", but "Bear-sarks" to their enemies. Soldiers in the opposing armies believed that the fur draped, howling men bearing down on them were actually half-men, half-wolf creatures on the battlefield. Though this is now more the contemporary image of Viking warriors, this 900 A.D. brush with men wearing animal skins instead of armour is a significant contribution to the notoriety of the Werewolf.
In antiquity, the signs of a Werewolf were characterized by a pentagram or mole on the body, the first and middle finger being the same length, hairy knuckles and palms, unibrows... This likely evolved into what the Christian witch-hunters looked for when seeking out werewolves during the time of the witch hunts. In 1270, it was consided heretical to not believe in werewolves.(Encyclop edia Mythica) During the Middle Ages, to be charged with being a Werewolf or "riding a wolf" was tantamount to being in league with Satan himself. What should be taken into consideration is that only a handful of men were accused of riding a wolf, for the majority this accusation was reserved for women. Male Werewolves were more common. Riding a wolf was the equivalent of being a Werewolf. Both were punishable by torture followed by death.
Weapons of the time were made with silver. A theory that circulates is that originally, it was the weapon dipped in a potion with the wolfbane plant in it that could kill a Werewolf. As time wore on, it is likely that the method changed to simply a silver weapon. Catholic religion dictated that the cross would repel anything sent by the Devil. Although this fact is more traditionally associated with Vampires, the cross is also "applicable" to other supernatural creatures such as Werewolves and Spirits.
During the 14th to 16th centuries, the Werewolf underwent quite a few changes. Using a belt/girdle or the skin of a wolf to initiate the change became the influence of the phases of the moon as the legend traveled across Europe. A main cause for the outbreaks of Werewolf trials was ergot, a brute form of LSD which can send a person into convulsions. Ergot, a fungus which develops into hallucinogenic drugs in bread, is a likely reason for the mass hysteria which led to so many villages believing they were plagued by Werewolves. It has been recorded to have have occurred twice in France and is thought to be responsible for the Salem witch trials.
In the 17th century, the charge of being werewolf became less common in European courts for lack of "evidence", although they continued until well into the 18th century. The belief in the beast never completely disappeared. Around the year 1600, it was the general concensus that even if there was no such thing as Werewolves, the wolf was at least the hound of the Devil.(Encyclopedia Mythica)
The first Werewolf we come in contact with as children is in the tale of Little Red Riding Hood, written by the Grimms brothers and published in 1812. A talking wolf, wearing the grandmother's clothing. This is one of the first literary portrayals of a wolf taking on human form, as opposed to a human changing into a wolf.
Althroughout history there have been cases of people believing they are werewolves. In 1589, Peter Stubbe admitted to killing 16 people while in the guise of a wolf. This may be caused by the fact that the traditional methods of extracting confessions were mainly painful, so many innoncents admitted their "crimes", choosing death over torture followed by death. In 1914, Freud published a paper titled, The Wolf-Man Case. However, Freud, followed his tried, tested and proven false style of diagnosis, and attributed this idea to suppressed infantile desires. Even today, there are entire web communities created by otherwise rational people who believe themselves to be either A) a shape-shifter, B) inhabited by two spirits, their own in addition to the spirit of an animal or C) an animal in the wrong body. The idea of shape shifting is becoming more and more popular among the younger generations.
This has led to several anothologies of short stories, entire series of novels, a multitude of films and at least two comic book series. The first Werewolf film in 1913, titled simply The Werewolf, showed the shape shifter as a beast out for revenge and capable of vviolence, although toned down to fit into acceptable society of the time. One of the more recent films depicting the lycanthrope is Underworld(2003). This film is an excellent example of how the Werewolf has become capable of compassion. It shows that a Werewolf can fall in love, can have human emotions such as regret.
In between these two films, over 150 have graced the silver screen in a variety of languages. And slowly, the Werewolf has evolved into a more a humane character. The Werewolf has been given emotions other than rage. More and more, Werewolves with families, trying to keep their loved ones safe from what they become for three days of the month has been the popular form. The Werewolf has become the average man, thrown into circumstances they never dreamed were possible. The Werewolf has been made into a character to be pitied, to feel a rapport with. This has only begun to appear in the last half century or so.
Although pulp fiction tended to treat the Werewolf as a monster, using them to create conflict and chaos in the lives of the main characters.(Haining) This can be seen in such titles as Wagner the Werewolf, an adventurous young man allied with brigands in a 16th century setting who meets a well-deserved end. Other penny dreadfuls depict the Werewolf as a murderous beast bent only on satiating it's thirst for blood.
Following pulp fiction came the comic books, Werewolf By Night. Two series share the same name, thus they will be referred to as the older and the more recent. The older series, from the early 1970's portrays a man that takes pride in his shape-shifting abilities, using them to combat the forces of evil. The more recent late 1990's version shows a man trying to balance a life with his more savage side. His attempts to cure himself so he can lead a normal life shows the characteristic human desire for normality and stability.
Rising concerns over the environment spawned the role-playing game Werewolf; The Apocalypse. Fighting the evils of the Wyrm and Weaver, they attempt to lead healthy productive lives. In laymans terms, Werewolves fighting corruption and pollution while trying to fit into society.(Werewolf; the Apocalypse) This is the most drastic change in the Werewolf's identity, as it is the monster trying to save humanity from the actions of man.
This is where the Werewolf has evolved to. Where the next fifty years will take it can only be theorized. The beast has undergone a tremendous transformation and it will be interesting to see where the myth's evolution will end or what new influence will change it's shape.