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History of the Werewolf (Werewolves as Protectors (Germanic traditions…
History of the Werewolf
Werewolves as Protectors
Germanic traditions show warriors who would wear animal skin. (4) This points to the early nature of association between men and wolves. Dressing in animal skin such as a wolf could give the impression of animalistic behaviour and create fear in enemies. This is a major factor behind the Livonian 'werewolf'.
In Italy and other areas of Europe, there is evidence of men claiming to be werewolves who do so to protect their communities. One particular case in 1692 shows a man claiming to be a werewolf who protected crop and the community from witches and other demon-related monsters. (3)
Werewolves as Cursed
The Middle Ages in Europe show a change as werewolves begin to be perceived as the devil's agents. (5) (cite Fogleman 76) Unlike witches, werewolves were seen as being potentially innocent people who had been cursed by the devil or witches, mostly due ot the prevalence of Christianity and the resulting fear of anything that could be associated with the Devil. (6)
Though werewolves could be seen as innocent, they were still treated similarly to witches and executed. (7)
Werewolf as Mentally Ill
More recently, the perceptions of werewolves has turned to those who believe not only that werewolves are real but that they are one. Some researchers rationalise this by attributing this to delusions and mental illness. (1 - cite willem de blecourt)
People experiencing loss of time and strange emotional swings may attribute this to lycanthropy before they consider any other potential known mental illnesses - pointing to the idea that they are experiencing delusions.
Werewolf as Diseased
Werewolves being seen as cursed often leads to the afflicted being a part of an isolated incident. As of the early 20th century, however, the spread of lycanthropy can be seen represented in related media as happening via a bite. (Sartin 43)
Characters like Remus Lupin in the Harry Potter Series, can be read as an allegory for AIDS or other diseases spread through blood and fluid exposure, also showing a distinct similarity to rabies, which very clearly connects the fear of people with what is perceived as 'animalistic' tendencies. (Sartin 43)
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Early Werewolves
Ancient World
In Ancient Greece, the historian Herodotus is recorded as speaking about werewolf-like figures, which is a group of people who transform into wolves once a year. (1)
Ancient Roman beliefs have brother Remus and Romulus suckling at a female wolf. While there isn't a transformation of a person, it still fosters the connect between man and wolf that lies the foundations for belief in werewolves. (2)
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