witchcraft, maleficium, and sorcery and may have been the beginning of the great European witch- hunt. Other rulers such as King Coloman of Hungary declared that witch-hunts should cease because witches do not exist. The Crimes of the Witches Undoubtedly, over the centuries of witch hunting, the charge of ,,witchcraft" came to cover a multitude of sins ranging from political subversion and religious heresy to lewdness and blasphemy. But three central accusations emerge repeatedly in history of witchcraft throughout northern Europe: First, witches are accused of every conceivable sexual crime against men. Quite simply, they are ,,accused" of female sexuality. Second, they are accused of being organized. Third, they are accused of häving magical powers affecting health of harming, but also of healing. They were often charged specifically with posessing medical and obstetrical skills.
With witchcraft of his wit, with traitorous gifts,— O wicked wit and gifts, that have the power So to seduce!—won to his shameful lust The will of my most seeming-virtuous queen: O Hamlet, what a falling-off was there! From me, whose love was of that dignity That it went hand in hand even with the vow I made to her in marriage, and to decline Upon a wretch whose natural gifts were poor To those of mine! But virtue, as it never will be moved, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven, So lust, though to a radiant angel link'd, Will sate itself in a celestial bed, And prey on garbage. But, soft! methinks I scent the morning air; Brief let me be. Sleeping within my orchard, 40 My custom always of the afternoon, Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole, With juice of cursed hebenon in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment; whose effect
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