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Comment by yummyfajitas

There's no contradiction. Sexism can express itself both in putting women down and in putting women in a pedestal.

There's no contradiction, if the witch had led an evil and improper life, she was guilty; if she had led a good and proper life, this too was a proof, for witches dissemble and try to appear especially virtuous. After the woman was put in prison: if she was afraid, this proved her guilt; if she was not afraid, this proved her guilt, for witches characteristically pretend innocence and wear a bold front. Or on hearing of a denunciation of witchcraft against her, she might seek flight or remain; if she ran, that proved her guilt; if she remained, the devil had detained her so she could not get away.

From Friedrich Spee von Langenfeld, the Cautio Criminalis ('prudence in criminal cases') in 1631.

parent yummyfajitas 10 years ago

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