A witch-hunter's guidebook, written in 1486 by German Dominican monks Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich Kramer, and arguably one of the most blood-soaked and hateful books in history.
The main purpose of the "Malleus Maleficarum", or "The Hammer Against Witches", was to refute all arguments that witchcraft did not exist, refute those who were skeptical about its reality, to prove that witches were more often women than men, and to educate magistrates on the how to find witches and convict them.
This book reflects that Sprenger and Kramer not only severely lacked a sense of humor and were obsessed with sex, but also that they had major issues with women; the book singles women out as the weaker sex, weaker in faith, lustful and easy by nature, and thus easy prey for Satan's coaxing. The men even went so far as to state the etymology of "femina" (Latin for "woman") as "fe" ("faith") + "minus" ("less"), which it is not.
Indeed, the book uses the exclusively feminine "malefica" rather than the masculine (and more inclusive) "maleficus" to denote witches, a strong implication that only women were witches in their eyes. Also, Sprenger and Kramer stated that old women and Jews were most likely witches and should never be trusted.
The Malleus Maleficarum accuses witches of cannibalistic infanticide, casting evil spells to harm their enemies, and holding the power to steal men’s penises (even make them come to life). It goes on to give accounts of witches committing these crimes.
The Malleus also delves deeply into the Bible, astrology, and philosophy, as this book was published during the Renaissance.
This whole book is one long tirade not just against women, but also heretics, independent thinkers, romantic lovers, the sensitive passions, human sexuality, and compassion.
The reasoning and logic used are bewilderingly outlandish... as horrible as the the images and reasoning are, they are also so ridiculous that it would be funny if the subject matter were not so grim.
Amazingly, in its day, this book of intolerance and persecution was second most popular after the Bible.
Thousands of innocents were killed because of Sprenger and Kramer, because of the hysteria and paranoia that they sparked, eventually leading to the Burning Times.
The main purpose of the "Malleus Maleficarum", or "The Hammer Against Witches", was to refute all arguments that witchcraft did not exist, refute those who were skeptical about its reality, to prove that witches were more often women than men, and to educate magistrates on the how to find witches and convict them.
This book reflects that Sprenger and Kramer not only severely lacked a sense of humor and were obsessed with sex, but also that they had major issues with women; the book singles women out as the weaker sex, weaker in faith, lustful and easy by nature, and thus easy prey for Satan's coaxing. The men even went so far as to state the etymology of "femina" (Latin for "woman") as "fe" ("faith") + "minus" ("less"), which it is not.
Indeed, the book uses the exclusively feminine "malefica" rather than the masculine (and more inclusive) "maleficus" to denote witches, a strong implication that only women were witches in their eyes. Also, Sprenger and Kramer stated that old women and Jews were most likely witches and should never be trusted.
The Malleus Maleficarum accuses witches of cannibalistic infanticide, casting evil spells to harm their enemies, and holding the power to steal men’s penises (even make them come to life). It goes on to give accounts of witches committing these crimes.
The Malleus also delves deeply into the Bible, astrology, and philosophy, as this book was published during the Renaissance.
This whole book is one long tirade not just against women, but also heretics, independent thinkers, romantic lovers, the sensitive passions, human sexuality, and compassion.
The reasoning and logic used are bewilderingly outlandish... as horrible as the the images and reasoning are, they are also so ridiculous that it would be funny if the subject matter were not so grim.
Amazingly, in its day, this book of intolerance and persecution was second most popular after the Bible.
Thousands of innocents were killed because of Sprenger and Kramer, because of the hysteria and paranoia that they sparked, eventually leading to the Burning Times.
"What else is a woman but a foe to friendship-! They are evil, lecherous, vain, and lustful. All witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is, in women, insatiable."
-The Malleus Maleficarum
That sums up the tone of the book. Here's more:
"When a woman thinks alone, she thinks evil."
“For though the devil tempted Eve to sin, yet Eve seduced Adam. And as the sin of Eve would not have brought death to our soul and body unless the sin had afterwards passed on to Adam, to which he was tempted by Eve, not by the devil, therefore she is more bitter than death.” (Kramer, Question 6)
"She is a liar by nature."
"...they have slippery tongues... they are intellectually like children... she is more carnal than a man, as is clear from her many carnal abominations."
And on and on; it's basically the work of two sexually repressed, frustrated monks who were so alienated towards women that the only way that they could deal with women was to slander them. They basically claimed that women were frivolous, stupid, dirty, weak, emotionally unstable, faithless trollops who were up to no good.
Because of the Malleus Maleficarum, women could be accused to witchcraft because a few men had an erotic dream about her or because she made a correct prediction about the weather or some other mundane thing that could be logically explained.
-The Malleus Maleficarum
That sums up the tone of the book. Here's more:
"When a woman thinks alone, she thinks evil."
“For though the devil tempted Eve to sin, yet Eve seduced Adam. And as the sin of Eve would not have brought death to our soul and body unless the sin had afterwards passed on to Adam, to which he was tempted by Eve, not by the devil, therefore she is more bitter than death.” (Kramer, Question 6)
"She is a liar by nature."
"...they have slippery tongues... they are intellectually like children... she is more carnal than a man, as is clear from her many carnal abominations."
And on and on; it's basically the work of two sexually repressed, frustrated monks who were so alienated towards women that the only way that they could deal with women was to slander them. They basically claimed that women were frivolous, stupid, dirty, weak, emotionally unstable, faithless trollops who were up to no good.
Because of the Malleus Maleficarum, women could be accused to witchcraft because a few men had an erotic dream about her or because she made a correct prediction about the weather or some other mundane thing that could be logically explained.
by Lorelili February 21, 2009
Get the Malleus Maleficarum mug.1. Malini is an Indian name for a girl.. The name means "another name for the goddess Durga" / someone who loves tending to nature (specially flowers) / Spanish Jasmine flower.
3. A beautiful girl with a beautiful smile and eyes that could light up the world. Malini's are usually very sweet caring and athletic girls who have a taste for the finer things in life. They can and will also put you in your place if you disrespect/offend them. Malini's are fond of animals/nature/the universe and they are loyal to their partners, family and friends.
4. A very sexy, sporty girl with a wild side. She keeps you always hanging on, always wanting more. She is a seductress of sorts, without even trying to be. She normally has a very pretty face and a body to die for.
5. She is love personified. If you find this girl, you must hold on to her no matter what.
3. A beautiful girl with a beautiful smile and eyes that could light up the world. Malini's are usually very sweet caring and athletic girls who have a taste for the finer things in life. They can and will also put you in your place if you disrespect/offend them. Malini's are fond of animals/nature/the universe and they are loyal to their partners, family and friends.
4. A very sexy, sporty girl with a wild side. She keeps you always hanging on, always wanting more. She is a seductress of sorts, without even trying to be. She normally has a very pretty face and a body to die for.
5. She is love personified. If you find this girl, you must hold on to her no matter what.
by Fireheartlover August 22, 2010
Get the Malini mug.
one of the most prettiest, independent and reliable people who can also react stubbornly and rejectingly. talented in things like singing, dancing or sports. loves to travel and experience risky things. either think too little or too much about stuff.
One of the best names - Malena
by Mallyx) May 31, 2020
Get the Malena mug.Did you hear what happened to Kyle on his way to Wrigley Field? Dude took a Malort Spritzer to the face.
by TheMonkey69 August 24, 2022
Get the Malort spritzer mug.by Rolly April 2, 2003
Get the Malcoon mug.by JFH & KSK May 5, 2008
Get the maleavage mug.