Posted: May 11th, 2015

Thomas Robisheaux, The Last Witch of Langenburg: Murder in a German Village

Thomas Robisheaux, The Last Witch of Langenburg: Murder in a German Village

Paper instructions:
Each student must submit a 3-page paper that addresses the assigned topic below. Papers will be graded on both form (grammar, syntax, format) and content (quality of the analysis and argumentation). Be sure to address all aspects of the assigned topic in your paper and to cite specific evidence from the book to support your arguments.

Prompt:Many scholars have characterized early modern witchcraft prosecution a “witchcraze,” highlighting the irrationality of witch-hunting. Robisheaux departs from this view and suggests that Anna Schmieg’s trial was guided by careful application of the law. Assess the most important social, cultural, and religious factors that prompted her prosecution for witchcraft. Why was Anna Schmieg ultimately convicted? Did she get a fair trial by the standards of her day?