The Myths Of Werewolves
Werewolves are one of the most universal monsters. They grip us with fear and have countless renditions, but why are they scary? Where do the myths come from, and how do you become a werewolf? Werewolves have remained a widespread mythical creature because they are a metaphor that appeals to our deep rooted fears.
There are many possible sources for the werewolf myths. Most historians credit the source of this myth to the ancient Greeks However, according to The Werewolf, by Montague Summers, it originated in an ancient Phoenician cult, in 1200 BC (Tanvir). The oldest known written work that mentions werewolves, was the “The Epic of Gilgamesh” (Wilson 2), where a shepherd was turned into a wolf. Another story comes from the Bolsinger Saga,
where a father and his son put on wolf pelts, and become wolves themselves for 10 days. Regardless of where these myths came from, it is interesting that almost every region has wolves, has legends of werewolves.
Despite the variety of myths, most myths have similar causes of werewolfism. People turn into werewolves from being infected by a bite, abnormal and inappropriate behavior, or by voluntary action (Wilson 3). In many myths, the werewolf was cursed by angering the gods by inappropriate behavior, such as King Lycaon, from Ovid’s poem Metamorphoses. Many transformations also have to do with taking of or putting on clothing.
We hate werewolves for three main reasons: they turn into a powerful, vicious, and aggressive predator, they were once a man but are not any longer, and if you get infected you will turn on a regular basis, normally on a full moon. The idea of being forced to become something you hate or fear is a major fear in all cultures. Werewolves are scary because even if you survive the attack you are condemned to the same fate, which in many ways is worse than death.
In conclusion, werewolves are a deep rooted part our society, and have spread over the world. They are in myths from a variety of cultures and have been used as a way to scare people away from bad behavior. They look like they are here to stay.
There are many possible sources for the werewolf myths. Most historians credit the source of this myth to the ancient Greeks However, according to The Werewolf, by Montague Summers, it originated in an ancient Phoenician cult, in 1200 BC (Tanvir). The oldest known written work that mentions werewolves, was the “The Epic of Gilgamesh” (Wilson 2), where a shepherd was turned into a wolf. Another story comes from the Bolsinger Saga,
where a father and his son put on wolf pelts, and become wolves themselves for 10 days. Regardless of where these myths came from, it is interesting that almost every region has wolves, has legends of werewolves.
Despite the variety of myths, most myths have similar causes of werewolfism. People turn into werewolves from being infected by a bite, abnormal and inappropriate behavior, or by voluntary action (Wilson 3). In many myths, the werewolf was cursed by angering the gods by inappropriate behavior, such as King Lycaon, from Ovid’s poem Metamorphoses. Many transformations also have to do with taking of or putting on clothing.
We hate werewolves for three main reasons: they turn into a powerful, vicious, and aggressive predator, they were once a man but are not any longer, and if you get infected you will turn on a regular basis, normally on a full moon. The idea of being forced to become something you hate or fear is a major fear in all cultures. Werewolves are scary because even if you survive the attack you are condemned to the same fate, which in many ways is worse than death.
In conclusion, werewolves are a deep rooted part our society, and have spread over the world. They are in myths from a variety of cultures and have been used as a way to scare people away from bad behavior. They look like they are here to stay.