Werewolves
Stories of transformations or shape-shifting are present in many cultures. In many parts of the world, the belief that humans can transform into animal shapes has persisted for centuries to modern times. The werewolf is a fierce creature – man by day and a bloodthirsty beast at night. Medieval legends and ancient folktales tell of different origins for the werewolf. In some rituals, men put on the skin of the wolf in an effort to acquire its power. Tales tell of magic that would transform the men totally into the animal they imitated.
In other stories, it was a curse or a wolf bite that turned a man into a werewolf. In 13th century England, wolves were a menace to villagers and the people believed that some humans became wolves with the changes of the moon phases. In 16th century France, thousands of people were accused of being werewolves and put to death much like those accused of witchcraft. Werewolves were blamed for killing women and eating children. A story told by witnesses was considered proof of guilt - a man might injure an attacking wolf only to find the blood trail led to a bleeding man with the same wounds.
Lycanthropy (“lie-can-throw-pee”) is the name for the apparent condition of a man becoming a wolf. The supernatural transformation was associated with magic ointments or drugs. These drugs created powerful effects that caused the participant to believe he actually became a wolf. In some cases, the so-called werewolves may have had real mental illnesses or perhaps rabies that caused them to act unnatural.
The popular media has spread and expanded the myth of the werewolf in horror movies and novels. The myth is so common in our modern culture that we automatically associate werewolves with the full moon, physical features such as hairiness, and death by a silver bullet.
Accused of killing livestock, wolves have been exterminated in England and many areas of North America. While humans may have an instinctive fear of the wolf, wolf attacks are extremely rare.
Within the past few years, sightings of a wolf-like creature that walks on two legs have been reported in Wisconsin and Michigan. The reports are similar to Bigfoot sightings. It is not clear what people might be seeing.
The gruesome deeds attributed to monstrous werewolves or dog-men in the night are chilling stories. However, only in myth and tales of magic (and perhaps in their own mind) can a person transform into a wolf.
REALITY CHECK: Complete myth. Any person who exhibits wolf-like behavior may have a psychological condition but can not really turn into a wolf. There is no evidence that a hair covered animal, with a dog like appearance, walking on two legs really exists. But the stories are pretty awesome. Watch for the internet to popularize these stories even more. But, be skeptical.
MORE INFORMATION:
Monster Talk podcast: Darwin vs the Wolfman
The Book of Werewolves (Baring-Gould)
History Channel: Monsterpedia (with video)
YOUR TURN:
- Why do some people believe they see werewolves? Do you think more people will report werewolves if they become more popular in movies, books and games? Why?
