Ridding the Household of Insect Pests, the Witch of Endor, The

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ridding the Household of Insect Pests, the Witch of Endor, The Indian State Railways VICTORIA STATION, BOMBAY Ridding the Household of Insect Pests, The Witch of Endor, The Questioning Soldier, European Children in India, Habit Formation, Hunt- ing for Sodom and Gomorrah 14-W'RLD In the opinion of Prof. W. Meinardus, of the Univer- After 122 years, during which time only Colgates have sity of Goettingen, there is enough ice piled around the directed and only Colgates have managed their perfume, antarctic regions to cover the entire surface of the world to dentifrice, and soap company, precedent has at last been a depth of more than 100 feet. Its weight is estimated at broken and the office of vice-president, director, and general twenty quadrillion tons. manager of Colgate & Co. given to Wallace E. McCaw. There was opened recently, under an arm ofSan Fran- cisco Bay, a vehicular tube wider than Holland Tunnel, The Pan-American "Peace Tree" flourishes in Havana, Cuba, where it is growing in soil brought from the twenty- 2,400 feet of It beneath the water. Instead of being bored one nations represented at the recent Pan-American Con- through the earth of rock, it was built of precast concrete in gress. Dr. Bustamente, president of the congress, mingled sections, and sunk to rest on the estuary bottom. the soil and christened the tree, which is a ceiba, with a life span of 400 years, " El Arbol de la Fraternidad Americana." The new Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford on Avon is to be built from the designs of a woman archi- tect, Miss Elizabeth Scott. The young lady, who is only What is your best day for working ? Don't say that twenty-nine years old, comes honestly by her talent for you suppose " one day is just like another; " it isn't. architecture, for she is the grandniece of Sir Gilbert Scott, According to Professor Winifred Collis, " that Monday- the eminent church architect, and the cousin of Sir Giles morning feeling, is a defihite scientific fact. None of us," Scott, who designed the striking cathedral at Liverpool she declared recently, " works so well on Mondays." when he was hardly more than a boy. Usually, according to this authprity, the best working days are Tuesday and Wednesday. And this applies not only in the workshop, but in the home. All restrictions on the export of rubber will be abandon- ed by the British government on the first of next November, according to a recent announcement in Parliament by The British Postmaster-general has made announce- Premier Baldwin. This means the end of the Stevenson ment that officers of his department are to visit the United Restriction Act of 1922, which was adopted by Great Brit- States in order to study American methods in telegraphy. ain to curtail the production of crude rubber, keep its price The explanation of this4 proposed visit is to be found up, and retain a monopoly on the trade. The United States, mainly in the two following facts ; First, the handling of which uses 70 per cent of the rubber output of the world, the telegraph system is one of the many functions of the was particularly affected, and her manufacturers took British pat office department ; and second, during the last measures to enter the production business themselves. fiscal year the British service incurred a deficit of £1,571,000 These proved so successful that Great Britain's monopoly or approximately 7 pence on each telegram handled, while policy has been discontinued perforce. one Americain company reported for the nine months, ending last September, a net profit of £ 2,250,354. To accept the bare but extraordinary contrast of these results without Because Germany learned during the war what it meant examination as to the why and wherefore, is not to be to be dependent on other nations for raw material supplies, thought of. German scientists and inventors timed actively to work upon synthetic processes when peace came again. Now she Sawdust, which many people consider pure waste, has announces that she will produce synthetic petrol at the rate so many uses in industry that large concerns gather, classify- of ten thousand tons a month during 1928, and market this and sell it by wholesale lots. Some 30,000 tons a year are production in the face of the drive being made by the United used in meat curing—hickory mainly, but also oak, mahog- States, Russia, England, and Holland to capture the any, and other hard woods. For filling plaster board more German motor fuel market. Obviously, if a satisfactory than 22,000 tons is used, and much more in composition synthetic substitute is at hand, crude oil production will no flooring is being put into large buildings. Thousands of longer be a dominant factor in the price of motor fuels, and tons of spruce and Douglas fir dust are used for packing the German discovery will have a far-reaching effect upon grapes, and in the shipping of nursery stock. the oil market of the world. The laundry work for the royal family of England keeps The one hundredth anniversary of the man from whose a good-sized laundry busy and prosperous. The king and idea grew the greatest humanitarian organization of the queen, and children as well, so long as they are under ages, the Red Cross, was recently celebrated by fifty-six the royal rooftree, sleep every night on freshly laundered nations. Jean Henry D u n a n t, citizen of Switzer- sheets and pillow slips. Before the World War there was land, was the man. He lived a quiet life and died in also a fresh tablecloth for every meal, butsduring and since -obscurity, but every Red Cross flag that flies around the that time, for the encouragement of national economy, one world is a symbol in recognition of his memory. Dunant's cloth is made to do for the three meals of the day—unless 'horror at the heartlessness with which wounded soldiers company comes or there- is some untoward accident. The were left on the battlefield after a great battle led him to linen at Buckingham Palace is estimated to be worth £ 8,000. write a book in which he urged the formation of volunteer Two maids give their whole time to looking after it. One so:ieties to succour the wounded in time of war. and to give of the finest and most valuable pieces in the collection is aid in epidemic or national disasters in time of peace. The the linen table cover made especially for the coronation of idea was heartily received, such an organization was formed, Queen Anne in 1702. The largest piece is the cloth on which and to-day more than 20,000.000 people in many nations was served Queen Victoria's wedding breakfast, where there are enrolled under the Red Cross banner. were 170 guests, presumably all at one table. Page Two 74IMRIENTAL WATCHMAN AND HERALD OF HEALTH `‘uniO' T VOLUME 4, No. 10 • • • OCTOBER, 1928 Green Leaves for Correcting Extensive National Deficiencies By H. C. Menkel, M. D. HE Bible has for two tho isand years These substances are so minute, representing contained the suggestion that green about five to six parts in 10,000, that they are leafy foods are valuable for the correc- difficult to separate or demonstrate. Their presence tion of extensive deficiency disorders. or absence from any class of food substance is This suggestion may be founi in ascertained m -dilly from observable effects of that Revelation 22: 2. "And the leaves of the tree particular food when experimentally fed to animals. were for the heal- The matter of ing of the nations." greatest impor- The value of tance is that many this statement is c hronf e invalids, more fully appre- who find little ciated since the relief from medical discovery of the treatment, a r e remarkable food such because their factors called fooi does not pro- vitamins. T h e vide the full com- green leafy vegeta- plement of the five bles in their raw essential vitamins. state form one of These minute food the most impor- factors easily oc- tant food sources cupy a place of for vitamins and first importance in for this reason food requirements. they a r e called Vi•amin A protective foods." This vitamin These findings is very essential to no doubt explain Vitamins are found in fruits the child. It the meaning oRthe maintains normal text above referred to. It is the vitamins in development and resistance to infections in chil- the leaves of the tree" which will be effective dren and adults. in the healing of the Nation's physical and Deficiency of this vitamin in the diet results mental defects.: in eye trouble, retarded growth, loss of weight, The dietary practises in India are very largely lack of interest, susceptibility to infectious and of a nature making it impossible to obtain the respiratory diseases. vitamins necessary for growth and health. This Food Source of Vitamin. A.—Whole milk, is conspicuously so in Central and Southern India. butter, cream, cheese, codliver oil, fresh green Likewise the diet of most Europeans in India is vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, defective in these respects and account for much green peas. ill health that is usually blamed on climate or hard work. Vitamin B For convenience in checking your daily This vitamin is necessary for the maintenance dietary I have arranged an outline of vitamins of life and health at all ages. Deficiency results in known as A. B. C. D. & E., giving the functions loss of appetite, retarded growth, serious digestive performed by each in maintaining balanced nutri- and nutritional disorders, diarrhoea and mucous tion ; the result of a deficiency in quantity, and colitis, constipation, beri-beri, neuritis.
Recommended publications
  • Supernatural Politics—The Session at Endor
    March 20, 2019 SENATORS’ BIBLE STUDY • NEBRASKA STATE CAPITOL WEEK 10 The 2019 Nebraska Senate Series: “Rulers After God’s Own Heart—The Life of David” Supernatural Politics—The Session at Endor INSIDE MT. GILBOA AND ENDOR Saul’s Final Battles ........ 2 RAISED FROM THE DEAD Samuel Before Saul ...... 3 NANCY, NANCY! Spiritual Powers and Federal Figures ............. 4 A SAULIDE SÉANCE Saul’s Darkest Hour ....... 5 VERSE OF THE WEEK Isaiah 8:19 ..................... 6 —"The Shade of Samuel Invoked by Saul,” by Dmitry Martynov (1826-1889) ABOUT éances are creepy. As a wide-eyed teen, I sat in a dark circle on the cold floor Capitol Ministries® ......... 6 in my neighbor’s shed around a Ouija board. I jumped out of my skin when the wooden heart shape started moving by some power to spell out names. S I never went back, knowing it was wrong, but I was intrigued by the paranormal. Problems at home and no real answers from my bland, weekly, ritualistic religion caused me to wonder if there wasn’t something more. Only the moral fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” It is normal to think about higher powers in life. Political leaders also face problems bigger than themselves, seeking answers. The telephone rang down in the Führerbunker. It was for Hitler. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda for the Third Reich, was on the line. He was ecstatic. The reason? The news: Franklin D. Roosevelt was dead. It was April 1945. Germany was caving in. The Allies were pressing from the West, the Russians from the East; soon Berlin itself would crumble.
    [Show full text]
  • Witch Hunting
    LE TAROT- ISTITUTO GRAF p resen t WITCH HUNTING C U R A T O R S FRANCO CARDINI - ANDREA VITALI GUGLIELMO INVERNIZZI - GIORDANO BERTI 1 HISTORICAL PRESENTATION “The sleep of reason produces monsters" this is the title of a work of the great Spanish painter Francisco Goya. He portrayed a man sleeping on a large stone, while around him there were all kinds of nightmares, who become living beings. With this allegory, Goya was referring to tragedies that involved Europe in his time, the end of the eighteenth century. But the same image can be the emblem of other tragedies closer to our days, nightmares born from intolerance, incomprehension of different people, from the illusion of intellectual, religious or racial superiority. The history of the witch hunting is an example of how an ancient nightmare is recurring over the centuries in different forms. In times of crisis, it is seeking a scapegoat for the evils that afflict society. So "the other", the incarnation of evil, must be isolated and eliminated. This irrational attitude common to primitive cultures to the so-called "civilization" modern and post-modern. The witch hunting was break out in different locations of Western Europe, between the Middle Ages and the Baroque age. The most affected areas were still dominated by particular cultures or on the border between nations in conflict for religious reasons or for political interests. Subtly, the rulers of this or that nation shake the specter of invisible and diabolical enemy to unleash fear and consequent reaction: the denunciation, persecution, extermination of witches.
    [Show full text]
  • The Conquest of the Promised Land: Joshua
    TABLE OF CONTENTS Brief Explanation of the Technical Resources Used in the “You Can Understand the Bible” Commentary Series .............................................i Brief Definitions of Hebrew Grammatical Forms Which Impact Exegesis.............. iii Abbreviations Used in This Commentary........................................ix A Word From the Author: How This Commentary Can Help You.....................xi A Guide to Good Bible Reading: A Personal Search for Verifiable Truth ............. xiii Geographical Locations in Joshua.............................................xxi The Old Testament as History............................................... xxii OT Historiography Compared with Contemporary Near Eastern Cultures.............xxvi Genre and Interpretation: Old Testament Narrative............................. xxviii Introduction to Joshua ................................................... 1 Joshua 1.............................................................. 7 Joshua 2............................................................. 22 Joshua 3............................................................. 31 Joshua 4............................................................. 41 Joshua 5............................................................. 51 Joshua 6............................................................. 57 Joshua 7............................................................. 65 Joshua 8............................................................. 77 Joshua 9............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Old and the New Magic
    THE OLD AND THE NEW MAGIC. BY THE EDITOR. THE very word magic has an alluring sound, and its practice as an art will probably never lose its attractiveness for peo- ple's minds. But we must remember that there is a difference be- tween the old magic and the new, and that both are separated by a deep chasm, which is a kind of color line, for though the latter develops from the former in a gradual and natural course of evolu- tion, they are radically different in principle and the new magic is irredeemably opposed to the assumptions upon which the old magic rests. The old magic is sorcery, or, considering the impossibility of genuine sorcery, the attempt to practise sorcery. It is based upon the pre-scientific world-conception, which in its primitive stage is called animism, imputing to nature a spiritual life analogous to our own spirit, and peopling the world with individual personalities, spirits, ghosts, goblins, gods, devils, ogres, gnomes, and fairies. The old magic stands in contrast to science; it endeavors to tran- scend human knowledge by supernatural methods and is based upon the hope of working miracles by the assistance of invisible presences or intelligences, who according to this belief could be forced or coaxed by magic into an alliance. The savage believes that the evil influence of the powers of nature can be averted by charms or talismans and their aid procured by proper incanta- tions, conjurations, and prayers. The world-conception of the savage is long-lingering, and its influence does not subside instantaneously with the first appear- ance of science.
    [Show full text]
  • Joshua Study Booklet
    Old Testament Exploring the Old Testament Joshua Study Guide Fox Valley Church of Christ Joshua 1:1-24 Dig deeper With the death of Moses, the transition of responsibility is a smooth one. What is unique about this transfer, for this time in history, is that there are no challengers to Joshua’s authority and that power was not passed down to one of Moses’ sons. This stresses the fact that God is the one with the real power in Israel. Although Moses was a great leader and led the Israelites out of Egypt and back into God’s presence, It will be Joshua who will actually take them into the Day 1 promised land. We will see a similar thing in Jesus’ day when John will lead his followers in the wilderness and point the way to the goal, but it will be Jesus (whose name in Hebrew was the same as Joshua’s) who will actually accomplish 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD the final salvation of His people. said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is Again, the Israelites are told that the land is theirs to take; every place they set foot dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the is theirs, God tells them. What is unfortunate is that God had given this same Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the promise many years earlier, but due to the disobedience of the Israelites, they Israelites.
    [Show full text]
  • On the Demon-Mania of Witches, Jean Bodin (1580).Pdf
    Jean Bodin On the Demon-Mania of W itches Translated by Randy A. Scott Abridged with an Introduction by Jonathan L. Pearl Notes by Randy A. Scott and Jonathan L. Pearl Toronto Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies 2001 CRRS Publications Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies Victoria University in the University of Toronto Toronto, Canada M5S 1K7 ® 2001 by the Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies All rights reserved. Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Bodin, Jean, 1530-1596 On the demon-mania of witches (Renaissance and Reformation texts in translation ; 7) Translation of: De la dcmonomanie des sorciers. Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-9697512-5-7 I. Witchcraft. 2. Magic. I. Scott, Randy A., 1944- II. Pearl, Jonathan L. III. Victoria University (Toronto, Ont.). Centre for Reformation and Renaissance Studies. IV. Title. V. Series. BF1602.B6313 1995 133.4 C95-931520-9 No part of this book may be translated or reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. Cover illustration: woodcut from Francesco Maria Guazzo, Compendium Male- ficarum (1608). Cover design: Ian MacKenzie, ParaGraphics This book has been published with the help of a grant from the Canadian Federation for the Humanities, using funds provided by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. For Victor E. Graham and to our wives Kathy Pearl and Karen Scott with gratitude for their forebearance - Contents Introduction 9 The French Religious
    [Show full text]
  • The Witch of Endor I Samuel 28 in Rabbinic and Christian Exegesis Till 800 A.D
    THE WITCH OF ENDOR I SAMUEL 28 IN RABBINIC AND CHRISTIAN EXEGESIS TILL 800 A.D. BY K.A.D.SMELIK INTRODUCTION At Smyrna during the persecution of emperor Decius,l the priest Pionius and his co-religionists received the martyr's crown. The account of their passion, which was made afterwards,2 contains some speeches. Pionius is supposed to have delivered these to his adherents, whilst in prison. Inter alia he speaks about the Jews; he regards them to be dange- rous for the Christians, because they alleged (according to this martyr) that Jesus' resurrection was due to necromancy, and consequently no proof of his divinity. They referred to I Sam. 28, the story about the witch of Endor.3 There the Scripture states that Samuel was recalled to life at Saul's demand; according to them Jesus was resuscitated in the same manner. "Pionius" tries to refute them by asserting that Samuel himself did not appear. Infernal daemons assumed his shape, and showed them- selves to the woman and to Saul. So, according to "Pionius", Sam. 28 was interpreted by Rabbinic and Christian exegetes in a completely different manner. In fact, the exegesis of some of them is not that different. In this article I want to give a survey of the most important Rabbinic and Christian interpretations of * In the first place I want to thank Prof. Dr. M. A. Beek, Prof. Dr. S. de Boer and Dr. J. C. J. Sanders for their help, and Mrs. S. Beek-Hobart for revising the translation into English. 1 250 A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • By the Same Author HOW GOD INSPIRED the BIBLE THOUGHTS
    By the same Author HOW GOD INSPIRED THE BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE PRESENT DISQUIET HOW TO READ THE BIBLE HOW WE GOT OUR BIBLE OUR BIBLE IN THE MAKING AS SEEN BY MODERN RESEARCH THE ANCIENT DOCUMENTS AND THE MODERN BIBLE THE BIBLE FOR SCHOOL AND HOME THE BOOK OF GENESIS MOSES AND THE EXODUS JOSHUA AND THE JUDGES THE PROPHETS AND KINGS WHEN THE CHRIST CAME - THE HIGHLANDS OF GALILEE WHEN THE CHRIST CAME - THE ROAD TO JERUSALEM THE STORY OF ST. PAUL'S LIFE AND LETTERS GOD, CONSCIENCE AND THE BIBLE THE BIBLE FOR SCHOOL AND HOME BY REV. J. PATERSON SMYTH LATE PROFESSOR OF PASTORAL THEOLOGY; UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN Author of "A People's Life of Christ," "Story of St. Paul's Life and Letters," "The Gospel of the Hereafter," "How We Got Our Bible," "How God Inspired the Bible," "How to Read the Bible," "The Ancient Documents and the Modern Bible," etc. JOSHUA AND THE JUDGES LONDON SAMPSON LOW, MARSTON & Co., LTD CONTENTS GENERAL INTRODUCTION …… v PART I: THE BOOK OF JOSHUA LESSON I THE SECRET OF COURAGE …… 29 II GOD'S POWER ………. 34 III JERICHO ……….. 38 IV ACHAN – THE DECEITFULNESS OF SIN ...44 V GIBEON ……….. 50 VI THE BATTLE OF BETH-HORON …. 54 VII CALEB – SOLDIERS OF GOD …… 61 VIII THE PLACE OF REFUGE ……. 66 IX THE STORY OF A MISUNDERSTANDING ...71 X AN OLD MAN'S ADVICE ……. 78 PART II: THE STORY OF THE JUDGES I SINNING AND PUNISHMENT, AND REPENTING AND DELIVERANCE …… 90 II FOUR DELIVERANCES ……. 95 III DEBORAH'S SONG OF PRAISE ….
    [Show full text]
  • A Pilgrimage Through the Old Testament
    A PILGRIMAGE THROUGH THE OLD TESTAMENT ** Year 2 of 3 ** Cold Harbor Road Church Of Christ Mechanicsville, Virginia Old Testament Curriculum TABLE OF CONTENTS Lesson 53: OLD WINESKINS/SUN STOOD STILL Joshua 8-10 .................................................................................................... 5 Lesson 54: JOSHUA CONQUERS NORTHERN CANAAN Joshua 11-15 .................................................................................................. 10 Lesson 55: DIVIDING THE LAND Joshua 16-22 .................................................................................................. 14 Lesson 56: JOSHUA’S LAST DAYS Joshua 23,24................................................................................................... 19 Lesson 57: WHEN JUDGES RULED Judges 1-3 ...................................................................................................... 23 Lesson 58: THE NORTHERN CONFLICT Judges 4,5 ...................................................................................................... 28 Lesson 59: GIDEON – MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR Judges 6-8 ...................................................................................................... 33 Lesson 60: ABIMELECH AND JEPHTHAH Judges 9-12 .................................................................................................... 38 Lesson 61: SAMSON: GOD’S MIGHTY MAN OF STRENGTH Judges 13-16 .................................................................................................. 44 Lesson 62: LAWLESS TIMES Judges
    [Show full text]
  • 111 the Witch of Endor
    111 THE WITCH OF ENDOR. IT is hardly possible to over-estimate the value of the recent survey of Palestine in throwing light on obscure portions of the Bible narrative. Nothing enables us to realize scenes enacted long ago so truthfully as accurate descriptions of the localities in which they took place. Mr. Conder's short paragraph 1 on the position of Endor is an admirable example of the worth of his labours. The remarkable narrative contained in 1 Samuel xxviii. 7-25, derives its importance from its being the only in­ stance of its kind to be found in the Bible ; and, further, from the inference usually drawn from it, that a belief in witchcraft was countenanced by Holy Writ. The object of this paper is to shew not only that this inference is not justified by the facts, but that the passage yields some suggestions which throw doubt upon the assumption that the belief in witchcraft finds any support in the Old Testament. It can hardly be necessary to remind the reader of the extent to which the human mind is liable to illusion of many kinds. Some of the hallucinations to which we are subject are permanent and deeply rooted, as, for example, that by which we every day are led to imagine that we see the sun moving through the sky; others, as for instance, ghost-seeing, are of a more transitory nature. Indeed we must remember that in every act of sense-perception there is a double process ; there is the reception of an impression from an external object, and the interpretation of the im­ pression so received.
    [Show full text]
  • Out of the Dust: an Examination of Necromancy As a Literary Construct in the Book of Mormon
    Studia Antiqua Volume 14 Number 2 Article 2 January 2016 Out of the Dust: An Examination of Necromancy as a Literary Construct in the Book of Mormon Amanda Colleen Brown Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studiaantiqua Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Classics Commons, History Commons, and the Near Eastern Languages and Societies Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Brown, Amanda C. "Out of the Dust: An Examination of Necromancy as a Literary Construct in the Book of Mormon." Studia Antiqua 14, no. 2 (2016). https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/studiaantiqua/vol14/iss2/2 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Studia Antiqua by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. OUT OF THE DUST: AN EXAMINATION OF NECROMANCY AS A LITERARY CONSTRUCT IN THE BOOK OF MORMON AMANDA COLLEEN BROWN Amanda Brown graduated from Brigham Young University in 2014 with a degree in ancient Near Eastern studies, with an emphasis in the Hebrew Bible. She will begin graduate work at Hebrew University this Spring. And thou shalt be brought down, and shalt speak out of the ground, and thy speech shall be low out of the dust, and thy voice shall be, as of one that hath a familiar spirit, out of the ground, and thy speech shall whisper out of the dust.1 (Isaiah 29:4) ecause it is commonly interpreted as a prophecy of the coming forth of Bthe Book of Mormon, Isaiah 29:4 is a foundational scripture within the Latter-day Saint faith.2 However, one exegetical interpretation of this passage suggests necromancy is a thematic literary element.
    [Show full text]
  • Witchcraft in Geoffrey Chaucer's Friar's Tale
    Witchcraft in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Friar’s Tale BA Thesis English Language and Culture Utrecht University Wilma Karssen 4006275 Supervisor: Dr. M. Cole British English 10 April 2015 Word count: 8162 Karssen 1 Index 1. Introduction 2 1. Witchcraft in the Middle Ages 4 2. The Portrayal of the Widow as a Witch 11 3. The Summoner’s Spirituality 18 4. Conclusion 24 Works Cited 27 Karssen 2 1. Introduction Ideas about witchcraft and sorcery have existed for a very long time, and are, for instance, already present in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. It is not surprising that a lot has been written on this subject in literary works, as well as in scholarly essays. It was exactly through the written works of scholars and the clergy that witch hunts gained momentum in Europe during the fourteenth century (Ben-Yehuda 4). After the fourteenth century, ideas about the practice of witchcraft and witches were described much more vividly than before, which encouraged the witch-craze as well. However, the first witch trials in Europe took place in the years 1245 and 1275 (Ben-Yehuda 4). This means that witchcraft and ideas about this practice were already extant during Geoffrey Chaucer’s life, since he lived from approximately 1343 to 1400. Therefore, it is not surprising that in some of Chaucer’s work, such as the Friar’s Tale, elements of sorcery can be found. The present paper is a re-examination of Jennifer Culver’s study of witchcraft in Chaucer’s the Friar’s Tale. Culver’s study “Charity Refused and Curses Uttered in Chaucer’s Friar’s Tale” does not offer a sufficiently satisfactory evaluation of the important factors that contribute to the presence of witchcraft in this tale.
    [Show full text]