Medieval European Witchcraft and the Perception of Women in Select Philippine Short Stories

Abstract

This study addresses the persistent narrative of witchcraft-related violence in the contemporary era by delving into its historical root – the medieval practice of witch-hunts. It investigates gendered motifs linked to women accused of witchcraft and sorcery, using Morgan le Fay in Thomas Malory’s Morte Darthur as a reference. By examining gender stereotypes, we aim to demonstrate how medieval European concepts of witchcraft and sorcery have become entrenched in modern perceptions of women. This investigation employs Philippine literary texts – The Witch by Edilberto Tiempo and May Day Eve by Nick Joaquin, characterising women exhibiting postcolonial dispositions. Our central hypothesis holds that these contemporary stories adapt the medieval classic. The findings point to the medieval traces in the characters of Minggay and Agueda, leading to their societal categorisation as metaphorical witches. Textual analysis exemplifies strategies such as “un/belonging” the self to demonstrate “herstory,” acknowledging one's beliefs to express innate tendencies, and challenging social structures to promote reclamation of oppressive structures. This study contributes to understanding the challenged “mythical” nature of women’s identity in the modern era. Hence, the adaptive platform of medieval European influence lends support to stabilising women’s positionality rather than their essentiality.