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1. ‘If the Devil hath any power it is over the flesh, rather the filthiest and most sinful part thereof, whereunto original sin is soldered’ (King James I and VI)
Write an essay on the ways in which witchcraft and sexuality are linked in ANY TWO of the plays studied.
2. ‘It would be generous to the point of being misleading to imply that the witch’s chief dramatic architects had much idea of popular belief structures’ (Purkiss). Is there, in your opinion, any historical value to be got from the study of these plays?
3.‘…though we leave not above three untainted women in the parish…’
(Doughty, The Late Lancashire Witches, Act V)
Discuss the way in which the witchfinder(s) are depicted in a selection of the plays studied.
4.‘It consisteth from the beginning to the end of old passages and fopperies to provoke laughter’ (Contemporary comment on The Late Lancashire Witches)
Discuss the role of comedy in at least TWO of the plays studied.
5. ‘I praescribed them their properties, Of vipers, snakes, bones, herbes, rootes, & other ensignes of their Magick, out of the authority of antient, and late writers’
(Jonson, note on The Masque of Queenes). How far do the dramatists of the witchcraft plays depend on or depart from stereotypes?
6. Witchcraft plays typically add to their plots scenes in which witches do not appear. Discuss the contribution made by such elements, and the ways in which they are linked to the central witchcraft action.
7. ‘Sceptical positions are made available and then erased by the stage display of the witches’ practices’ (Purkiss). Discuss the treatment of scepticism about witchcraft in these plays in the light of this remark.
1. I will renounce this magic and repent
(Dr Faustus)
Write an essay on the scenes in which a sorcerer or witch attempts or achieves
a renunciation of magic.
9. Diane Purkiss writes of ‘the emergence of the witch as a clear and
recognisable stage type from the muddle of magical figures’. Do any of these other ‘magical figures’ (sorcerers, mages, cunning folk etc) merit separate attention as stage types?