The Depiction of Witch-Hunting in Scottish Writing

Abstract

The thesis focuses on the cultural environment of 17th century Scotland, specifically the phenomenon of witch-hunts. The aim of the work is to examine how the historical and cultural circumstances of the period influenced the emergence and course of witch trials and how individual identities were exploited to reinforce power structures and marginalize certain members of society. Additionally, the thesis analyses Douglas Watt's historical novel Testament of a Witch, striving to identify the ways in which the author portrays and critically evaluates the historical and social mechanisms associated with this phenomenon.