11/14/2011
ENG 102
Platte
Position Paper
It has been widely accepted in popular culture to see Countess Elizabeth Bathory as one of the most sadistic serial killers the world has known. This infamous lady is well known for her torturing and, in some account, even bathing in her victims’ blood. The horrendous crimes, which Elizabeth Bathory was accused of, have kept many intrigued for years. They have been portrayed through movies, plays and books for centuries. However, recently, due to more evidence and revision of past information, we have been given a new insight on the crimes committed by Bathory. This information gives a new outlook on the life of the Countess, and doesn’t focus primarily on the crimes, but instead attempts …show more content…
Many books regarding to Elizabeth in the past have failed to mention the fact that Elizabeth received an outstanding education when she was little. She could read and write fluently in four languages and also appeared to have been interested in religion as well as the sciences. Various documents written in her own hand prove her ability to write fluently (Craft 148). Countess Elizabeth, by all accounts, cared about her children and provided well for them. She made sure that her two daughters receive great wedding celebrations, partnering them with young men from prestigious families. Elizabeth also made certain that her son received fine education and that he would be the inheritor of her estate (Craft 52). The Countess also gave generously to the church, patronized scholars and the arts, and even protected incomes of the clergy (Craft 148). With all the evidence provided above, we wonder how someone as brilliant, poised, and wealthy as Countess Bathory could be sadistic and prolific serial