Witchcraft: The Basics

Witchcraft: The Basics examines how witchcraft was defined, debated and represented from the Middle Ages to the modern world. Marion Gibson considers the language used to describe witches, the laws and treatises directed against them, and the influence of religion, politics and gender on changing ideas of magical harm. Case studies of early modern Britain and colonial America, including Salem, ground the discussion in particular historical settings.

The book also follows witchcraft into literature, television and film, showing how the figure of the witch has been repeatedly reshaped for new audiences. Its later chapters introduce major approaches within witchcraft studies and consider the relationship between witchcraft and paganism, with summaries, discussion questions and further reading supporting further study.