The Curse of the Undead Legends and stories of haunted beings have been passed down through generations. One of the most chilling and spine-tingling tales is the Curse of the Undead. This curse speaks of individuals who have been condemned to an eternal existence as creatures that defy death – the undead. The Curse of the Undead revolves around a dark and mysterious ritual that, when performed incorrectly or irresponsibly, can result in a dreadful consequence. It is said that those who have been cursed are stuck in a realm between life and death, forever wandering the earth with a insatiable hunger for human flesh. They are forever trapped in a state of decay, their bodies deteriorating yet never fully dying.
The idea that those accused of witchcraft were midwives or herbalists, and especially that they were midwives possessed of feminine expertise that threatened male authority, is a myth. Midwives were rarely accused. Instead, they were more likely to work side by side with the accusers to help them to identify witch marks. These were marks on the body believed to indicate that an individual was a witch (not to be confused with the marks scratched or carved on buildings to ward off witches).
The idea that those accused of witchcraft were midwives or herbalists, and especially that they were midwives possessed of feminine expertise that threatened male authority, is a myth. All four of the major western Christian denominations the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches persecuted witches to some degree.
They are forever trapped in a state of decay, their bodies deteriorating yet never fully dying. According to legend, the curse can be activated through various means. Some believe that it can be cast by a powerful witch or warlock, others claim that it is a result of a curse placed by vengeful spirits seeking retribution.
Witchcraft: Eight Myths and Misconceptions
Witchcraft is an area of history that most people feel familiar with. From the Salem Witch Trials to the witches of Macbeth, the figure of the witch is embedded in our culture. The problem is that most of what we think we know is wrong.
Professor Diane Purkiss debunks eight of the most common myths about witchcraft.
shared > blocks > AdvancedItemSectionBlock.cshtml -->In England witches were hanged, not burned. This illustration is taken from a 1655 pamphlet by Ralph Gardiner © Bettmann/Getty
1. Witches were burned at the stake
Not in English-speaking countries. Witchcraft was a felony in both England and its American colonies, and therefore witches were hanged, not burned. However, witches’ bodies were burned in Scotland, though they were strangled to death first.
2. Nine million witches died in the years of the witch persecutions
About 30,000–60,000 people were executed in the whole of the main era of witchcraft persecutions, from the 1427–36 witch-hunts in Savoy (in the western Alps) to the execution of Anna Goldi in the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1782. These figures include estimates for cases where no records exist.
3. Once accused, a witch had no chance of proving her innocence
Only 25 per cent of those tried across the period in England were found guilty and executed.
The Spanish Inquisition persecuted those perceived as heretics by the Catholic Church, but witchcraft was largely regarded as a superstition, and wasn’t pursued as a heresy by officials except in rare cases © Prisma/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
4. Millions of innocent people were rounded up on suspicion of witchcraft
The total number of people tried for witchcraft in England throughout the period of persecution was no more than 2,000. Most judges and many jurymen were highly sceptical about the existence of magical powers, seeing the whole thing as a huge con trick by fraudsters. Many others knew that old women could be persecuted by their neighbours for no reason other than that they weren’t very attractive.
5. The Spanish Inquisition and the Catholic Church instigated the witch trials
All four of the major western Christian denominations (the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches) persecuted witches to some degree. Eastern Christian, or Orthodox, churches carried out almost no witch-hunting. In England, Scotland, Scandinavia and Geneva, witch trials were carried out by Protestant states. The Spanish Inquisition executed only two witches in total.
Illustration from the 1591 pamphlet ‘Newes from Scotland’, which reported on the events of the North Berwick witch trials of 1590. The accused women are shown casting spells over a cauldron (top right) and conjuring the Devil (left) © Courtesy of the British Library
6. King James I was terrified of witches and was responsible for their hunting and execution
More accused witches were executed in the last decade of Elizabeth I’s reign (1558–1603) than under her successor, James I (1603–25).
The first Witchcraft Act was passed under Henry VIII, in 1542, and made all pact witchcraft (in which a deal is made with the Devil) or summoning of spirits a capital crime. The 1604 Witchcraft Act under James could be described as a reversion to that status quo rather than an innovation.
In Scotland, where he had ruled as James VI since 1587, James had personally intervened in the 1590 trial of the North Berwick witches, who were accused of attempting to kill him. He wrote the treatise Daemonologie, published in 1597. However, when King of England, James spent some time exposing fraudulent cases of demonic possession, rather than finding and prosecuting witches.
The Elizabethan philosopher and alchemist John Dee faced accusations of witchcraft throughout his life. Other men accused of witchcraft include the healer Dr Fian, who was executed as part of the North Berwick witch trials in 1590 © Hulton Archive/Getty Images
7. Witch-hunting was really women-hunting, since most witches were women
In England the majority of those accused were women. In other countries, including some of the Scandinavian countries, men were in a slight majority. Even in England, the idea of a male witch was perfectly feasible. Across Europe, in the years of witch persecution around 6,000 men – 10 to 15 per cent of the total – were executed for witchcraft.
In England, most of the accusers and those making written complaints against witches were women.
8. Witches were really goddess-worshipping herbalist midwives
Nobody was goddess-worshipping during the period of the witch-hunts, or if they were, they have left no trace in the historical records. Despite the beliefs of lawyers, historians and politicians (such as Karl Ernst Jarcke, Franz-Josef Mone, Jules Michelet, Margaret Murray and Heinrich Himmler among others), there was no ‘real’ pagan witchcraft. There was some residual paganism in a very few trials.
The idea that those accused of witchcraft were midwives or herbalists, and especially that they were midwives possessed of feminine expertise that threatened male authority, is a myth. Midwives were rarely accused. Instead, they were more likely to work side by side with the accusers to help them to identify witch marks. These were marks on the body believed to indicate that an individual was a witch (not to be confused with the marks scratched or carved on buildings to ward off witches).
Diane Purkiss is Professor of English Literature at Keble College, University of Oxford
Top image : Detail from ‘Witches’, a 1508 painting depicting the Witches’ Sabbath
( © Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo)
Regardless of the origin, once the curse has taken hold, there is no escape. The cursed undead are often depicted as terrifying monsters. Their decaying bodies, pale skin, and glowing red eyes make them an unmistakable sight. It is said that they can only be killed by a wooden stake through the heart or decapitation. However, even after death, they may still roam the earth as vengeful spirits, seeking revenge on those who wronged them in life. Throughout history, tales of the undead have struck fear into the hearts of many. From vampires to zombies, the curse has taken various forms across different cultures and traditions. These creatures, once human, are now cursed to an existence of darkness and despair. The Curse of the Undead has inspired countless stories, books, and movies, capturing the imagination of audiences around the world. Whether it serves as a cautionary tale or a source of fascination, the curse has become a prominent fixture in popular culture, reminding us of the enduring human fear of death and the unknown. In conclusion, the Curse of the Undead is a legendary curse that condemns its victims to an eternal existence as creatures that defy death. The curse has captivated the minds of people for centuries, instilling a deep fear of the undead within our collective consciousness. May we always remember the consequences that may await those who dare to tamper with the realms of life and death..
Reviews for "Curse or Blessing: The Undead in Literature and Film"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Cursed of the undead" as I am a huge fan of horror films. However, I was left disappointed. The storyline was poorly developed and predictable. The acting was wooden and unconvincing, making it hard to feel any connection to the characters. The special effects were also lackluster, with the makeup and CGI looking cheap and unimpressive. Overall, "Cursed of the undead" was a letdown and did not live up to its promising premise.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I cannot in good conscience recommend "Cursed of the undead" to anyone. The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving me scratching my head throughout the entire film. The dialogue was cheesy and cliché, making it hard to take any of the characters seriously. The pacing was also agonizingly slow, making an already dull film seem never-ending. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Cursed of the undead" had potential, but it fell flat in execution. The performances were lackluster, with the actors delivering their lines without any real emotion or conviction. The cinematography was uninspired, and the overuse of jump scares became tedious and predictable. The film also suffered from poor editing, with unnecessary scenes dragging down the already weak storyline. Overall, it was a forgettable and disappointing experience.