Difference between revisions of "Week 4 Questions/Comments-327 11"
From McClurken Wiki
(→Cross-source questions/comments) |
(→Elizabeth Godman lawsuit (1653); Elizabeth Godman tried for witchcraft, 1655) |
||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
Nothing is more of a testament to the power of words than the Salem witch trials. I find it astounding that accusations from neighbors can completely cost people their reputation and even their life, when widely believed. Furthermore, even if the accused takes the accusers to trial for slander, as in the case of Elizabeth Godman, it is likely that it will have no effect. It is shocking that people could lose their lives based on coincidences, such as Elizabeth, who was near when a child got sick, and supposed witchlike behavior, such as grinning in a “strange manner.” Perhaps this shows that there still was ties between religion and the courts, because fear of witchcraft is closely tied to religion, and the courts were likely to convict an accused witch. - Clare O | Nothing is more of a testament to the power of words than the Salem witch trials. I find it astounding that accusations from neighbors can completely cost people their reputation and even their life, when widely believed. Furthermore, even if the accused takes the accusers to trial for slander, as in the case of Elizabeth Godman, it is likely that it will have no effect. It is shocking that people could lose their lives based on coincidences, such as Elizabeth, who was near when a child got sick, and supposed witchlike behavior, such as grinning in a “strange manner.” Perhaps this shows that there still was ties between religion and the courts, because fear of witchcraft is closely tied to religion, and the courts were likely to convict an accused witch. - Clare O | ||
| + | |||
| + | I agree with Clare but unlike most of the later trials for witchcraft the sentence that was placed on Elizabeth was very lenient. “The court declared unto her that though the evidence is not sufficient as yet to take away her life, yet suspitions are cleere…” pg 55 So we know you’re a witch but we do not have enough to kill you, so instead we will banish you from going from house to house. It amazed me that logic did apply to the witchcraft trials before the time of the Salem trials and that not everyone accused of witch craft was killed. –Kayle P | ||
== Bridget Bishop convicted of witchcraft 1692; “Casco Girls” accuse George Burroughs, 1692 == | == Bridget Bishop convicted of witchcraft 1692; “Casco Girls” accuse George Burroughs, 1692 == | ||
