"Nark of the Witch" In folklore and mythology, witches have long been portrayed as mysterious and powerful beings with supernatural abilities. They are often associated with casting spells, brewing potions, and employing dark magic to manipulate the natural world. One particular concept that is deeply connected to the idea of witches is the concept of a "nark," a term used to describe someone who informs or betrays others to the witch. The nark of the witch is an intriguing character in various folktales and legends, often serving as a cautionary figure or a symbol of treachery. This individual is typically someone from within the community who is manipulated or coerced by the witch to reveal information or aid in the persecution of others. The motivations of the nark can vary, ranging from personal gain, fear of retribution, or even genuine belief in the witch's power.
The belief in witch marks, sometimes known as Devil’s marks, came late in the development of witch hunting.
Martin Delrio, a Spanish Jesuit theologian in the 16 th century, described witch marks as sometimes like the impression of a hare s foot, or the foot of a rat, or spider while Professor William Forbes described it, in his 1730 book Institutes of the Law of Scotland, as like a flea bite or blue spot, or sometimes resembles a little teat, and the part so stamped doth ever after remain insensible, and doth not bleed, tho never so much nipped or pricked by thrusting a pin, awl, or bodkin into it. Elspeth Alexander, also of Forfar and tried in 1661, stated that she was also nipped on the shoulder by the Devil and Marie Lamont, of Inverkip, Scotland, tried in 1662, confessed that the Devil nipped her on the right side and left his mark on her.
The motivations of the nark can vary, ranging from personal gain, fear of retribution, or even genuine belief in the witch's power. Within the context of witch trials and witch hunts, the nark played a significant role in identifying alleged witches and providing evidence for their persecution. These individuals often claimed to have witnessed the witch engaged in forbidden activities or were able to procure tangible proof of their involvement in witchcraft.
Arthur Miller, JK Rowling and the death of witch hunts
Remove the preconceptions that stop you seeing clearly, and it is hard to tell the difference between the arts in the UK and in a dictatorship.
In Russia and China, the authoritarian state is the oppressive force. In the West, the state won’t arrest you for breaking taboos, and for that we must be grateful, but perhaps not too pleased with ourselves.
Woke – or if you don’t like the word identitarian – movements rather than authoritarian governments can still force degrading confessions to ideological thought crimes.
Friends can still denounce each other, as if we were in America during the McCarthyite witch-hunts of the 1950s or China during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s. Fear can still run through the arts, publishing, and the liberal press. And, as in true autocracies, the price of speaking out can still be the loss of your existing job and of any chance of alternative work in your chosen field.
So commonplace are the symptoms of fear we barely register them now. A few days ago, to quote an example that got next to no publicity, an “interdisciplinary artist” took it upon herself to go through the social media of David Greig, a Scottish playwright and theatre director, as if this were an entirely normal way to behave, which in the arts today I am afraid to say it is.
Her snooping paid off. She announced that Greig was guilty of “openly liking transphobic tweets": a career-destroying offence, as she must have known. But how transphobic did they need to be to finish Greig off?
One tweet Greig liked referred to “gender madness,” a sackable offence in the avant - garde , apparently. A second contrasted the police’s cruel arrest of an autistic girl , who had said that one of their officers looked like her "lesbian nana", with the cops’ light handling of transgender activist who allegedly punched a gender-critical feminist in the face.
So you can be sure I am not misreading this, here is the tweet Greig liked in full. He was damned for endorsing the sentiment that, “If you are a 16-year-old autistic girl who says someone looks like a lesbian you will be arrested and held in custody, but if you are a 26-year-old man who punches a woman twice at a women’s rights rally, you will just be cautioned."
And that was it. Understanding of people with disabilities in general and with autism in particular, is in short supply. Far from being praised, Greig was forced to issue a grovelling apology for his “careless and harmful Twitter actions”. He promised that he would speak to HR – the modern equivalent of taking instructions from the parish priest – and “discuss making organisation-wide training available to ensure we approach these matters sensitively."
Like so many other cases, the cancel campaign at the Edinburgh Festival illustrated how bizarre our culture is becoming. Let me count the ways.
The three women were re-examined six hours later and Proctor and Bishop were found to be clear of any marks and Nurse’s mark appeared to only be dry skin.
In the most extreme cases, narks were even said to have confessed their own participation in witchcraft as a means of avoiding punishment or gaining favor with the authorities. However, the concept of the nark of the witch also serves as a reminder of the dangers of misinformation and the potential for innocent individuals to be falsely accused. In many instances, the nark's testimony may have been coerced or fabricated, leading to the persecution and execution of innocent people. The witch trials of early modern Europe, for example, were marked by rampant paranoia and unfounded accusations, resulting in the deaths of countless innocent individuals. Today, the concept of the nark of the witch continues to be explored in various forms of literature and media. It raises important questions about loyalty, trust, and the manipulation of power. The nark's role as a betrayer serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to be critical of the information we receive and to question the motivations of those who seek to harm others under the guise of truth-seeking. In conclusion, the nark of the witch is a captivating concept deeply intertwined with folklore, mythology, and history. It represents the figure who betrays others to the witch, often leading to their persecution and demise. The role of the nark serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of misinformation and the potential for innocent individuals to be falsely accused. By understanding the complexities of this character, we can gain insight into the power dynamics and social structures at play during periods of witch hunts and trials..
Reviews for "Witches vs Wizards: A Comparative Study of Nark and Her Malevolent Counterparts"
1. John - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Nark of the Witch". The plot felt very disjointed and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were also poorly developed, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. The pacing was also off, with slow and dull moments followed by chaotic and rushed scenes. Overall, I didn't find this movie enjoyable and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5
"Nark of the Witch" was a complete mess. The story was convoluted and made no sense, leaving me scratching my head throughout the entire viewing. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Additionally, the special effects were laughable, taking away any potential for immersion. I would advise skipping this movie if you're looking for a well-crafted and engaging witch-themed film.
3. Michelle - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Nark of the Witch", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot lacked depth and originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and uninteresting. The cinematography was average at best, with nothing really standing out. Overall, it just didn't captivate me or offer anything new to the genre. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.
4. Mark - 2.5/5
"Nark of the Witch" had potential, but ultimately, it failed to deliver. The story felt cliché and predictable, with no real surprises or twists. The acting was decent, though some performances were stronger than others. The film had moments of visual beauty, but these were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. While it's not the worst witch-themed movie out there, it certainly didn't leave a lasting impression.