Witches Part1

transcript

Who are these people and what do you think is

happening?

Image Reproduced Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts

Illustration (Neg# 19927), "Arresting a Witch"

Image Reproduced Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum, Massachusetts

Illustration, "Arresting a Witch"

Now look at the title of the illustration.

Is this what you thought the

illustration was all about?

Who are these people and what do you think is

happening?

Witches and Witchcraft

To find out what people thought about witches and witchcraft during the Sixteenth and

Seventeenth Centuries.

To discover what type of people were accused of being witches during this period.

Agnes Simpson Interview

You may be asked to jot down some information during this exercise, so make sure

that you have a pen and paper ready.

Click here if you wish to view the following painting as a Quicktime movie file before

moving on tothe exercise.

You are now going to find out a little more about how many people during the early part of the Seventeenth Century (1600’s) viewed witches

and witchcraft.

The Witches' Sabbath,

painted in 1606

Click here to print out worksheet 1

HTD68835 The Witches Sabbath, 1606 by Frans II The Younger Francken, (1581-1642),

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK, (Out of Copyright)

You are going to explore this painting on the next page.

Click on the parts of the picture that you would

like to explore in

more detail.

When you have

finished click here

HTD68835 The Witches Sabbath, 1606 by Frans II, The Younger Francken, (1581-1642),

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK, (Out of Copyright)

Potions

Medicine, or poison in liquid form.

Incense

This provides a fragrant smell when

burnt.

Q. When you go back to the main picture try and spot where

and in what the potions are being mixed together?

Q. Why do you think that incense is being burnt?

Click here for a clue.

Remember how important religion was at this time.

Demons

An evil spirit or devil.

Many people thought witchcraft to be the work

of the Devil.

Some pets were thought to be demons, or

familiars. These could disguise themselves as common animals such as cats, dogs, frogs or

rabbits.

Skull –

The skeleton of the head.

These were often used in paintings as reminders of death and the afterlife.

Could they provide a link with the dead and spirits from beyond the grave?

Consider how superstitious people were at this time.

Q. What are the skulls lying on? Q. What has been put with them?

Witch Somebody who practices magic (in

this case ‘dark’ forms of magic.

It was thought at this time that witches were sometimes

accompanied by a a devil or ‘familiar’ spirit.

Lots of witches together are called a coven.

Q. What do you find strange about the two witches at the

front of the picture?

Q. What do you find strange about the appearance of this

witch ?

Do you expect a

witch to look like this?

Cauldron

A large round pot made of metal which is used

for boiling food.

Cauldrons could also be used for mixing

potions….

(When you go back to the painting look at the fireplace)

Q. Can you link this with any other part of the picture? (Clue: Go back and look on the shelves)

When people think of witches they tend to think that they will be female.

Men were also accused of witchcraft. A male witch is

sometimes called a Warlock – a wizard or sorcerer.

Q. Are all of those present within this painting female?

A Familiar

This was thought to be an evil spirit that had taken on the form of an animal

A Spell book Contained incantations, chants and spells

Q. How many creatures can you see in the

picture?

Q. Describe some of these creatures.

Familiars could even look like common pets!

Could this be a reference to Doctor Faustus (made famous in a play by Christopher Marlowe in

1604)? Ask your teacher about this.

Sprites

Supernatural beings or the souls of people. They can

sometimes take on a ghostly appearance.

Levitation

Rising into the air using supernatural powers.

Circle the witches

Highlight the spell books

Highlight the strange

creaturesAs you do this,

discuss with the rest of the class what you have

found out.

What I can see worksheet

Whiteboard Version of worksheet

HTD68835 The Witches Sabbath, 1606 by Frans II The Younger Francken, (1581-1642),

Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK,

(Out of Copyright)

What did I find ?

How did the Tudors and Stuarts view witchcraft?

Must be able to take up the post immediately.

* Some night shift work

* Some danger (to your person and soul)

* May have to face fierce animals

* Well paid

* Most victims will be defenceless old ladies

* Possible retirement package

Highlight areas of the illustration that you would like

to discuss.

Click here for questions

Image courtesy of Leicester University Library, Special Collections Department

to discuss.1) Who is this person?

2) What is his job ?

What do you think that he is doing?

3) What types of animals are shown ?

4) Why have the animals been illustrated in this way ?

Overall, what is happening in the

picture?

What do you think was the purpose of

pictures and illustrations such

as these?

Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.

Click upon the picture that you would like to study

Courtesy of Glasgow University library, Special Collections

to discuss.

Image Courtesy of Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

to discuss.

Image courtesy of Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

1) Who are the people in the picture supposed to be?

2) What is the object in the centre of the picture?

3) What are these people placing in this object?

4) What is happening as a result of their actions?Click here for

questions

Write a paragraph describing the scene shown in the picture.

Remember to add and explain as much information as possible.

Click here for help

* Briefly explain what the whole scene is about - then,

* Describe what is happening in each part of the

picture in more detail.

i) Who are the people shown?

ii) What are they doing and what may the outcome of

their actions be?

Inlaid wood picture, by Elias C. Larrabee, Jr. 1885. Based on a painting by Douglas Volk. Courtesy of Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts.

Who do you think these people are?

Why do you think these people are here?

Why has this person covered their face?

Why are they so worried?

What do you think this picture is called?

Discussion

What do you think this picture is called?

"Accusation of a Witch"

Discussion

Click here for help

* Briefly explain what the whole scene is about - then,

* Describe what is happening in each part of the

picture in more detail.

i) Who are the people shown?

ii) Why are these people here – what are their jobs?

iii) What may the outcome of this event be?Inlaid wood picture, by Elias C. Larrabee, Jr. 1885. Based on a painting by Douglas Volk.

Write down as many facts as you can remember about witches and witchcraft

Next Time Lesson 2

Make it a clean sweep

In the spotlight:

Witch Trials and Punishments.End

Extension

Extension Work and Revision:

For more information upon Witchcraft you could visit The University of Glasgow website - Special Collections Department.

http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/

You may also like to visit Peabody Essex Museum:

http://www.pem.org

for additional information upon witchcraft and The Salem Witch Trials.

Although institutions and organisations have kindly agreed that we can provide links and use some of the images found on their sites, they are not responsible for the way in which those images have been used.

Nor are they responsible for any of the written content found within this presentation.

Witches Part1

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