P/LI/69. Roots of witchcraft: interpretation of language metaphors

The paper examines the history of political, religious, and social approaches to witchcraft focusing on the 16th century work The Discovery of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot. The representations of witchcraft in language are discussed looking at the outcomes of the metaphorical interpretations of the Bible by demonologists, the allegory of EveŒs temptation by the serpent, etc.