Rain, rain go away! Entry on Werewolves

After reading both articles, I think the werewolf became a real terror in the sixteenth century because people used supernatural explanations to understand things they could not explain. Werewolf stories had existed for thousands of years, but during this time they became connected to religious fears, witch trials, violence, and the Devil. When people heard about murders or other disturbing behavior, it may have been easier to believe that the person responsible was a werewolf than to consider other explanations.

I also found it interesting that some people accused of being werewolves may have been actual criminals, while others may have been victims of fear, political conflict, or torture. The stories of Peter Stubbe, Pierre Burgot, and Giles Garnier show how quickly accusations could become deadly. The fact that people confessed after being tortured also makes me question how much of the evidence from these trials can actually be trusted.

The idea that werewolves exist between man and beast stood out to me because it represents the fear of losing our humanity. Werewolves were frightening not only because they were dangerous animals, but because they were once human. I think that uncertainty about where the line between human and beast exists is what has allowed the werewolf legend to survive for so long. Thoughts?