SH+P4+Demonologie+(1587)

Cultural- Abby Gritis Demonologie although most likely wildly popular in 1587, is not very much referenced today. It is a pamphlet about “a wide-ranging discussion of witchcraft, necromancy, possession, demons, were-wolves, fairies and ghosts” (James). While when it was published it was surely a big impact on all things pertaining to those topics, the pamphlet today has not made a big impact culturally. When thinking today about the word ‘demonologie’ most people will think about the study of demons, and not have much of a reaction to the word. Although according to Brian Cook, “Many people quite simply just want to believe” (Supernatural Science). They want to believe in the supernatural aspects that have been presented to them. The term strikes people as interesting, and more of a topic to make television shows and movies off of. Which is starkly different to 1587 since the population then was just being re-introduced to all things supernatural, which would mist likely induce fright. The ‘popularity’ of supernatural had not yet come about. Today, the term demonology would have a positive, most likely curious impact on society.

Works Cited: James I, King. "Demonologie". //Sacred Texts.// 1587. Web. 16 November 2012. "Supernatural Science: Why We Want To Believe". //NBC.// 8 August 2008. Web. 16 November 2012.



**Audience**
Sophia Phillips

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The intended audience for the literary work, Da emonologie,was regular citizens, both those that believed in evil beings and those who didn’t, in the Renaissance era. In a time where everyone either agreed with the popular idea or way (in this case, everyone agreed with the royalty) or was shunned, many lived in fear or lies. Back then, when people didn’t know much about their world, there was a lot of room to fill in the gaps, so a little superstition was natural. When King James I himself wrote the book, however, “every reader found his own superstition recorded and stamped with the seal of royal approval” (“The Advent Of Modern Thought in Popular Literature”). As such an influential person, King James I would want all of his subjects to agree with him and rid the world of these monsters. Besides the people who either were on the fence or already believed in witches, there were some who no faith in them, and so his work would try “to persuade skeptics of the importance of witchcraft” (Macbeth, King James, and the Witches”). If the book didn’t persuade them, their fear of being exiled or worse, being accused as a witch, would convince them to accept the idea of witches. The book, Daemonologie, reached it’s audience very quickly due to the fact that their own king wrote it. =====

"Macbeth, King James, and the Witches." UMB.edu. n.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.

 * Aim- Jenna Gossen **

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 * King James wrote the book of Daemonologie in order to reflect his beliefs about witches and dark magic and to inform his citizens for the lack of his tolerance and to inform "the doubting hearts of many" that the "assaults of Satan are most certainly practiced" (Folger). Though he may not have intended it, ****in the years after the publishing of his book the citizens of Scotland began to follow his texts religiously referring to it as the 'Bible of King James'. The original intention of King James was to try and expel all kinds of dark magic and witches from his country. King James was under the belief that he was attacked and attempted to be placed under spells in many cases. He was convinced that witches attempted to murder him and his wife during one of their sea voyages in 1590. The fear and hatred of witches was not uncommon for that time period the Kings blatent distaste helped to further spread these emotions. James used his book to further press his power into influencing the trials of suspected witches and more times than not the execution of those suspected. Witchcraft and black magic were highly feared by those alive during and around the time of the renaissance, King James aim for writing was "expel black magic and all elements surrounding it; to protect"(Daemonologie). **


 * Work Citied **
 * "The Daemonologie by King James" **watch.pair.com/daemon Web.

 **"Daemonologie and The Meaning Behind"** folger.edu/eduPrimSrcDtl.cfm?psid=83, Web. 16 Nov. 201216 Nov. 2012

Historical - Alexis Roether
"The roots of demonology are nearly impossible to trace" ("A Brief History of Demonology"). This is why it's so difficult for researchers to figure out what exactly caused all the beliefs involved in demonology. There is history of demonology within the bible when Jesus Christ gets rid of demons in the gospels. In medieval times, many people believed that witchcraft also had to do with the evil sort that demonology is described as by King James. During the medieval times when King James wrote his book, Daemonologie, almost all Christians and Protestants belived highly in demonology and would even have prosecutions set out for any suspicious actions. The quote "...but it felt impossible to take any serious interest in the subject in their age of enlightenment"("Demonology") describes how a change in these beliefs changed around the time of the Industrial Revolution. The thoughts on demonology changed quickly after that and wasn't exactly a huge concern for the most part. However, in modern society the beliefs all included in demonology are showed in scary movies which society takes in and non-believers will start to believe because of such realistic films nowadays. Demonology now can still be a personal topic for many yet, in society, no high measures are taken specifically for these reasons unlike in history before.

Works Cited: "A Brief History of Christian Demonology." //Examiner.com //. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. .

"Demonology." //CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA://. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2012 .