Fully Booked
  • Book Reviews
  • Best Book Lists
  • Author Interviews
  • Editorials
  • Book Genres
    • American Literature
    • Black Literature
    • Classic Literature
    • Fantasy
    • Folklore Books
    • Horror
    • Mystery
    • Nonfiction
    • Romance
    • Science Fiction
    • Summer Reads
    • Winter Books
    • Women In Literature
    • Young Adult
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Fully Booked
  • Book Reviews
  • Best Book Lists
  • Author Interviews
  • Editorials
  • Book Genres
    • American Literature
    • Black Literature
    • Classic Literature
    • Fantasy
    • Folklore Books
    • Horror
    • Mystery
    • Nonfiction
    • Romance
    • Science Fiction
    • Summer Reads
    • Winter Books
    • Women In Literature
    • Young Adult
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
Fully Booked
No Result
View All Result

Home > Editorials > Werewolves: Misunderstood Monsters Explained

Werewolves: Misunderstood Monsters Explained

Farisha F. by Farisha F.
November 1, 2021
in Editorials
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Wolf silhouette against a full moon
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Werewolves, men who transform into wolves, originated out of European folklore. However, stories of people shape-shifting into dangerous animals are common folklore and horror in other cultures around the world as well. Understandably, in countries where there were no wolves, they had variations of other carnivorous animals such as a were-tiger in India, for example. Yet none have gained as much popularity as the werewolf, thanks to Hollywood.

If you find yourself researching werewolves, the term lycanthropy turns up a lot.

Article Continues Below Advertisement
Article Continues Below Advertisement

Is Lycanthropy a medical condition?

Interestingly, there is a psychiatric condition known as Zoanthropy where the afflicted individual believes they can transform into an animal. Lycanthropy, derived from the Greek word ‘lykas’ meaning wolf and ‘anthropos’ meaning man, is a condition where the individual believes they can transform into a wolf.

There are a lot of interesting scientific articles documenting the many different presentations of this condition. A deeper dive into the subject revealed that this is not the only known condition linked to werewolves.

Article Continues Below Advertisement
Article Continues Below Advertisement

What is the ‘werewolf syndrome’?

Hypertrichosis, historically known as the werewolf syndrome, is a rare genetic condition that results in excessive body hair (including all over the face) and is said to have been the inspiration for Disney’s Beast. A quick google images search will show you exactly why.

Werewolf in a dark forest

Werewolf FAQ’s: Your questions answered.

*Disclaimer: the remainder of the article will look at frequently asked questions about werewolves from folklore and does not apply to any clinical conditions known or otherwise.

Article Continues Below Advertisement

How does a person become a werewolf?

HTML tutorial

Different folklore have different accounts of how one can turn into a werewolf. Here is a list from various sources:

  • Sleeping outdoors on a summer night under a full moon
  • Drinking water out of a paw print
  • Wearing only wolfskin
  • Rubbing a magical salve on your skin
  • A curse
  • Being bitten by a werewolf
Woman-Wolf

Can a girl be a werewolf?

Yes. There certainly are accounts of female werewolves in literature and not just from modern times. Of the few recent ones, you might recall Leah Clearwater from the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Female werewolves or she-wolves date as far back as the 1400’s and are linked with the religious paranoia and misogyny associated with witches and vampires.

Article Continues Below Advertisement
Article Continues Below Advertisement
Medieval armoury

Who was the first werewolf?

King Lycaon from ancient Greek mythology is the first ever tale of a man who was turned into a wolf by none other than Zeus himself. Another early account of a wolf transformation is from The Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest surviving texts from ancient Mesopotamia.

ReadNext

Classic hardcover books

What Are The Benefits Of Reading Classic Literature?

May 14, 2022
american-lit-feature-1

Contemporary Classics: American Literature Month at Fully Booked

May 2, 2022

Where can werewolves be found?

In a forest on a night when there is a full moon. Some werewolves have the ability to shape-shift at will and can do so even on a moonless night. So, if you want to avoid running into one, don’t go walking about in a forest in the middle of the night. You probably should avoid walking in the dark out in the wilderness anyway. Who knows what you’ll run into – wolves, bears, snakes, or whatever wild animals that live in your part of the world.

Wolf silhouette against a full moon backdrop

Werewolf weaknesses and cures

  • Silver – Legend has it that a silver bullet or a silver knife can harm a werewolf while they are resistant to other forms of injury and would likely heal quickly from them if its anything short of decapitation.
  • Wolfsbane – a poisonous plant used in medieval medicine, thought to help cure the victim although it likely killed them.
  • Exorcism or conversion to Christianity were also used to cure a person from the curse/ailment.
  • Addressing the werewolf by its human name or scolding it were also thought to cure the affliction.

Final thoughts

Werewolves differ from story to story where some humans take the form of a wolf while others, and perhaps even more scary, take the form of a half-wolf-half-human being. In any case, people all over the world have enjoyed telling chilling stories of such creatures throughout history.

Article Continues Below Advertisement
Article Continues Below Advertisement
Tags: Horror
ShareTweetShare
Farisha F.

Farisha F.

Farisha’s favourite thing to do, in classic bibliophile style, is to curl up with a book and a cup of tea. She loves a good mystery, fantasy, folklore, adventure, romance, science fiction and the occasional non-fiction book. Since her love of travelling came to a halt, Farisha has become a “plant mum” to a number of plants (the count being somewhere around 30!). While tending to her potted plants on her apartment balcony down under, she dreams of someday being a writer herself.

Related

women-in-horror-feature
Editorials

Women in Horror: The Female Impact on the Genre

November 3, 2021
Paranormal darkness
Reviews

The Dead and the Dark: A YA Paranormal Delight for This Halloween

Dark Academia
Best Book Lists

Top 6 Dark Academia Novels for the Spooky Scholar

October 29, 2021
Next Post
women-in-horror-feature

Women in Horror: The Female Impact on the Genre

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
guest
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect With Us

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
5 least favorite classic books - literary podcast

Why These 5 Classic Books Are Our Least Favorite

May 6, 2022
classics-month-feature

Our Favorite Classic Books

April 10, 2022
Black Authors

7 Black Authors Whose Work You Should Be Reading

March 28, 2022
stephen king carrie feature-min

How Stephen King Almost Threw Away His Most Successful Book

October 27, 2021
modern fairy tale

House of Hollow Review: A Marvelously Mysterious Modern Fairy Tale

4
Featured Image Design New

Female Science Fiction Authors You Need To Read Right Now

3
best-stephen-king-books-min

What is considered Stephen King’s best book?

2
Book VS Novel

What Is The Difference Between A Novel And A Book?

2
the great gatsby the book was better fully-book literary podcast

The Book Was Better: Chatting The Great Gatsby (2013)

May 21, 2022
Classic hardcover books

What Are The Benefits Of Reading Classic Literature?

May 14, 2022
american literature themes podcast feature

Defining Themes of American Literature: A Discussion

May 13, 2022
banned books

Banned Books: 7 Classics Banned in Different Countries

May 13, 2022
ADVERTISEMENT

Instagram

Follow Us!

  • We’re halfway through the week, and what a crazy season this has been so far! 🌷
What do you do to de-stress when you have a lot going on?
•
•
#bookworm #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookishcanadians #bookpodcast #booksofinstagram #bookblog #bookcast #bookstagrammer #bibliophile #podcasting #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #reading #springreading #destress #fullybookedca
  • Feelin Jazzy 🎷 on this Monday morning; we always love finding a  reinterpretation of a classic
•
•
•
#bookstagram #bookichcanadians #bookblogger #bookpodcast #bookblog #bookworm #bibliophile #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #readmorebooks #reading #podcasting #literature #literarypodcast #casualbookworm #classicliterature #classicreading #thegreatgatsby #fullybookedca
  • New Episode! 🎙This weeks episode of Fully Booked is all about Romeo + Juliet- specifically the 90’s adaptation starring a pre-Titanic Leo 📜We’re talking bright colours, a post apocalyptic looking California beach and floppy hair, amongst other things
Link in bio!
•
•
#podcast #bookworm #bookpodcast #bookish #bookblogger #bookstagram #bookishcanadians #booksofinstagram #podcasting #literature #shakespeare #romeo+juliet #reading #bibliophile #fullybookedca
  • Fully Booked has officially come to your podcast platforms 🎙📚You can check out our weekly episodes on the site, or wherever you get your podcasts! We’re so excited to dive into this new medium and can’t wait to keep talking about our favourite things-books 📖Link in bio to find out more!
•
•
#bookstagram #bookpodcast #podcasting #bookishacanadians #bookworm #bookblogger #bibliophile #bookblog #bookstagrammer #readersofinstagram #reading #fullybookedca
  • A little spring fantasy for your Monday Mood 🦄
•
•
•
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookishcanadians #bookblog #bookworm #bookblogger #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #springbooks #springreads #fantasybooks #fantasyreading #fullybookedca
  • Spring has sprung 🌷mostly anywayWhat are your favourite springtime reads? We love a good fantasy story 🧙🏻‍♀️ something witchy but more nature focused
•
•
#bookstagram #bookworm #bookishcanadians #bookblog #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreccomebdations #bookstagrammer #bibliophile #tbr #readmorebooks #readersofinstagram #reading #springreads #springbooks #springreading #fantasybooks #witchbooks #fullybookedca
  • Happy Friday! What are you into reading right now? 📚Thrillers and mysteries are creeping into the tbr pile this spring 🌸 and I’m more than ok with it
•
•
#bookstagram #bookish #bookblogger #bookstagrammer #booksofinstagram #bookworm #bookblog #bookpile #bookishcanadians #tbr #bibliophile #readmorebooks #reading #readersofinstagram #springreading #springreads #mysterybooks #thrillerreads #fullybookedca
  • What was the last book that disappointed you? 📚I wanted to like this one, I really did. It got a slight bump for the twist, but otherwise was full of unlikeable characters and was too drawn out for me 😬
I know so many people love it but it just wasn’t for me
•
•
#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookblog #bookworm #booksofinstagram #bookblogger #bookreview #tbr #bookpile #bibliophile #bookishacanadians #readmorebooks #reading #readersofinstagram #folkswhoread #springreading #fullybookedca
  • Monday Magic 🪄Are you drawn to any folklore or traditions connected to your heritage?
I’ve always loved Celtic folklore and old stories, and want to explore them in more detail in the future 📖
•
•
#bookstagram #bookworm #bookblogger #bookishcanadians #bookstagrammer #bookblog #booksofinstagram #tbr #bibliophile #newbooks #readmorebooks #reading #readersofinstagram #celticbooks #folklore #springreading #fullybookedca
Fully Booked

Copyright © 2020-2021 www.fully-booked.ca

Important Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Friend’s Links
  • Privacy Statement
  • Impressum
  • Disclaimer

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Book Reviews
  • Best Book Lists
  • Author Interviews
  • Editorials
  • Book Genres
    • American Literature
    • Black Literature
    • Classic Literature
    • Fantasy
    • Folklore Books
    • Horror
    • Mystery
    • Nonfiction
    • Romance
    • Science Fiction
    • Summer Reads
    • Winter Books
    • Women In Literature
    • Young Adult
  • Podcast

Copyright © 2020-2021 www.fully-booked.ca

wpDiscuz
Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Manage your privacy
We use cookies to offer you a better experience, analyze traffic, and at times, serve the best possible and relevant advertisement to you. By continuing to use this site, you agree with the use of cookies in accordance with our linked policies below.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00