Tracing the Roots of Lycanthropy
For centuries, people have been terrified (and morbidly curious) about lycanthropy. Throughout history, werewolves have been the subject of many legends and stories that have lasted generations, been turned into movies, and more. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of werewolves is the mystery surrounding them. How did this lore come to be so pervasive? Why wolves? And how have they remained a part of our cultural consciousness?
Today, we’ll be diving into an overview of lycanthropy. From the earliest known myths to more contemporary tales, we’ll delve into the background of this larger-than-life myth, examining the common themes and motifs that have persisted over time.
At it's core, "lycanthropy" stems from the Greek word for wolf, lykos, and the word for man, anthropos. Some people believes that it refers to an insanity where the afflicted person takes on the caracterstics and behaviors of a wolf. However, the second understanding of the word (and more popular) is the physical transformation of a man into a wolf. In Greek mythology, Lycaon, the king of Arcadia, was famously turned into a wolf by Zeus after serving him human flesh. This legend, along with others from that time period, have served as a basis for many of the werewolf tales we know today.
Historican Caroline Walker Bynum believes that the twelfth century in particular gave way to a sort of werewolf renaissance. During medieval period, werewolf stories took on a new flame and became incredibly popular throughout Europe. Mixing with growing religious anxieties, werewolves was seen as a symbol of the devil’s power, and many believed that only the devil could grant someone the ability to transform into a wolf. These beliefs persisted for centuries, and many people who were accused of being werewolves were subjected to brutal punishments, including burning at the stake.
But how does one become a werewolf?
In older texts, dating back to Lycaon’s punishment for inhopsitality or the deviled curse of Medieval times, an indivdual is punished with lycanthropy by a caprious god, like Zeus, or somehow by fate. Othertimes, it can be a gift (or curse) from the devil. For example, in 1521, Frenchmen Pierre Burgot and Michel Verdun allegedly swore allegiance to the devil. As a reward, he gave them ointment that turned them into wolves so they could cause maximum chaos and fear. After confessing to brutally murdering several children, they were both burned to death at the stake.
In other ways, there is no central origin for a particular werewolf but instead lycanthropy is presented as a disase where being bitten by a werewolf turns you into one (even if you don't know how the original werewolf became one in the first place). In medieval texts, the transormation of human to wolf is not well document save for the fact that it often happens far away from other people.
Of course, there were stranger ways to become a werewolf, for example eating the flesh of a man and a wolf mixed together. Or, something as simple as sleeping under the full moon on a Friday or drinking water that had recently been touched by a wolf. However, you may be thinking...what about the full moon?! In contemporary minds' the full moon is the main cause for the cycle of werewolves, and perhaps even the reason people are more likely to be cursed with lycanthropy. Why? Well, to this day full moons are associated with madness. This perception may have made the full moon the main charatcer of the werewolf mythos.
Interestingly, in Medieval history specifically there is the idea that the werewolf must have the clothes he transformed out of in his posession and put them back on to transition back to a human. If someone steals these clothes, the werewolf is bound in its wolf form permtatently.
The transformation from man to wolf, though shrouded in secrecy, was said to be incredibly painful. Many werewolves were believed to be victims of a curse or accidental attack instead of in leage with the devil. Many stories of werewolves have them continiously seeking out a cure for their state.
If you did happen to encounter a werewolf, a silver bullet would do the trick.
There are, interestingly enough, known medical conditions that can mimic the mythic apperance of the werewolf and may be responsbile for the myth. For example, hypertrichosis which create unusually long hair on the face and body. Clinical lycanthropy is an actual recognized medical condiiton in which a person truly believes themlsef to be an animal.
Overall, the history of lycanthropy is a fascinating one that has captivated people for centuries. From the earliest myths to the modern-day interpretations we see in pop culture, the werewolf has remained a constant presence in our collective consciousness. While the stories may vary from culture to culture and time period to time period, the allure of the werewolf remains the same – the mystery and intrigue of the unknown.
The featured blog image depicts A German woodcut of werewolf from 1722. It is in the public domain.
Thanks to Ken G for this blogstonishing suggestion!