Moonlight Myths: The Fascinating Evolution of Werewolves

 

Today, on folklore friday, I'm going to tell you a bit about werewolves. After all, they are characters in my book, so might as well explain a little about them. 

The myth of werewolves, or lycanthropy, is a widespread and persistent part of folklore in many cultures, and the concept of humans transforming into wolves dates back to ancient times. The term "lycanthropy" comes from the Greek word "lykánthropos", meaning "wolf-human", and one of the earliest known accounts is the story of King Lycaon in Greek mythology. 

According to the myth, told in Ovid's "Metamorphoses", Lycaon, king of Arcadia, doubted the divinity of Zeus and decided to test the god's omniscience. So he decided to invite Zeus to a banquet and served him a dish made from the flesh of a sacrificed boy, which was either one of his own sons or a hostage, depending on the version of the story. This heinous act was intended to mock Zeus and test whether he would recognize the true nature of the meal that was being served to him.

Zeus, of course, immediately recognized the abominable nature of the meal and enraged by Lycaon's sacrilege and cruelty, overturned the table and destroyed Lycaon's palace with a thunderbolt. As further punishment, Zeus transformed Lycaon into a wolf, declaring that Lycaon's savage nature made him more suited to the form of a beast. As far as the story goes, even in his wolf form, Lycaon continued to exhibit his cruel and bloodthirsty nature, reflecting his character as a human.

But the "wolf-human" concept didn't stay confined to ancient Greece. The belief in werewolves was also particularly strong in medieval Europe. During this time, werewolves were often thought to be people who transformed into wolves voluntarily, often with the help of a pact with the devil. This belief led to numerous werewolf trials and executions, in a very similar manner to what happened in the witch trials. In these, people were also often accused of being werewolves based on superstition, fear, and scapegoating.

Now, in Nordic mythology, you can also find stories of men transforming into wolves, such as the tale of the berserkers - warriors who wore wolf or bear skins and were said to channel the spirits of these animals in battle. The berserkers were Norse warriors known for their ferocity and the ability to enter a battle rage, commonly described as "berserkergang." One of the most famous references is in the "Ynglinga Saga" by Snorri Sturluson, where Berserkers are described as Odin's elite warriors who could not be harmed by fire or iron while in their battle rage.

Regarding the characteristics and beliefs surrounding these beings, the process of transformation into a werewolf varies among different cultures. Some legends suggest the transformation happens during a full moon, while others indicate that it can happen at will. The change can be triggered by donning a magical wolf skin or consuming a particular potion.

In the matter of becoming a werewolf myths frequently reveal the involvement of curses or pacts. In some tales, individuals become werewolves due to a curse placed upon them by others. In other stories, people willingly become werewolves by making a pact with dark forces, either for power or revenge.

Finally, when it comes to their vulnerability, traditional werewolf lore includes ways to kill or ward off werewolves. Silver is commonly mentioned as a weapon against werewolves, with silver bullets being a modern addition to the myth. Other methods include using wolfsbane or invoking religious symbols.

In conclusion, the myth of werewolves is a fascinating blend of ancient beliefs, cultural fears, and storytelling traditions. From ancient Greece to modern pop culture, the werewolf continues to capture our imagination, reflecting humanity's timeless fascination with the blurred line between the human and the animal.