{"id":104305,"date":"2026-03-25T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/?p=104305"},"modified":"2026-03-25T00:36:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T22:36:30","slug":"contradictions-malleus-maleficarum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/contradictions-malleus-maleficarum\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Most Surprising Contradictions in the Malleus Maleficarum"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>img#mv-trellis-img-1::before{padding-top:56.333333333333%; }img#mv-trellis-img-1{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-2::before{padding-top:56.333333333333%; }img#mv-trellis-img-2{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-3::before{padding-top:66.751054852321%; }img#mv-trellis-img-3{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-4::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-4{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-5::before{padding-top:75.583333333333%; }img#mv-trellis-img-5{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-6::before{padding-top:66.666666666667%; }img#mv-trellis-img-6{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-7::before{padding-top:66.75%; }img#mv-trellis-img-7{display:block;}img#mv-trellis-img-8::before{padding-top:73.972602739726%; }img#mv-trellis-img-8{display:block;}<\/style>\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum, that infamous witch-hunting manual from the <strong>15th century<\/strong>, is filled with nonsense and contradictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This document is as confusing as it is terrifying, revealing a worldview riddled with <strong>illogical fears<\/strong> and biases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&rsquo;s explore some of the most notorious contradictions in the book that reveal its author&rsquo;s hypocrisy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Witches&rsquo; Transformations<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-95869\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-95869\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20676'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='676'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-95869 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-1\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/yule-cat-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/\">&copy; Angelynum<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum claims that witches can <strong>transform into animals<\/strong> like cats, birds, wolves, and other forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, at the same time, it claims that these transformations are nothing more than illusions created by <strong>the devil<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we must wonder, which one is it?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The stories of these transformations scared superstitious people, and even the captured &ldquo;witches&rdquo; confessed that they could change form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Heinrich Kramer, the author of the book, continued to accept the claims and confessions that confirmed transformation, although he didn&rsquo;t believe in them himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This alone exposes the book for what it was: an excuse for a violent fanatic to hurt people. But let&rsquo;s keep going!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Cursing From Afar<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-104374\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"676\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20676'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='676'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104374 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-2\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-728x410.jpg 728w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-320x180.jpg 320w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-960x541.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-1080x608.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-1-170x96.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum states that witches can curse individuals from a distance, casting spells that cause harm even though they&rsquo;re far away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sounds terrifying, sure, but the book also claims that these curses are insignificant and <strong>easy to break<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, if witches are so powerful, why would their spells break so easily?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The contradiction is glaring; it gets people to fear each other, but also gives an excuse for why these &ldquo;curses&rdquo; don&rsquo;t actually cause any damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s saying that witches are both mighty sorcerers and weak frauds, depending on which narrative suits the author at the moment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was <strong>fear-mongering<\/strong> done by the book!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Witchcraft Is Organized but Also Individual<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-104370\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1185\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2.jpg 1185w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1185\" height=\"791\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201185%20791'%3E%3Crect%20width='1185'%20height='791'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104370 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-3\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2.jpg 1185w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-2-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The book suggests witches are part of an <strong>organized network<\/strong>, plotting against society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, at the same time, it insists they <strong>act alone<\/strong>, secretly, and without any hierarchy. They can&rsquo;t be both!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they&rsquo;re organized, they should be easier to track down. Still, the Malleus Maleficarum claims they work alone and in the shadows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This contradiction reveals a hole in the author&rsquo;s own logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He wants to portray witches as coordinated and dangerous for the whole society, but also to highlight how hard they are to catch because they&rsquo;re so isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, it all depends on what suits him at the moment: to fear-monger or to make excuses for not being able to find any witches.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. The Malice and Greed of Witches<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-104371\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='800'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104371 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-4\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-3-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum says witches are motivated by evil and greed; they&rsquo;re out to harm innocent people out of pure <strong>wickedness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But Kramer also claims many witches are <strong>coerced by the devil<\/strong> and demons into practicing witchcraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, are they perpetrators or victims?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The author would like to frame witches as purely malicious, but he, himself, admits that the devil makes them do evil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Essentially, it&rsquo;s blaming the victim for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, despite this grain of sympathy, he continued to justify persecution and cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Malleus Maleficarum on Women<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-104372\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"907\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104372\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-1024x774.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-960x726.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-1080x816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-170x128.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"907\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20907'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='907'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-104372 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-5\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-300x227.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-1024x774.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-768x580.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-960x726.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-1080x816.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-4-170x128.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum plays on the idea that women are inherently more susceptible to witchcraft, being more <strong>emotional and weak<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, it claims that women are morally inferior and <strong>prone to evil<\/strong>, so more likely to become witches due to their corrupt nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once more, witches are presented as both the victim and the monster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Misogyny marked that entire historical period, but it went berserk during the witch hunts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the one hand, the Malleus justifies the persecution because women are inherently evil, while on the other, their weak nature is just a tragic coincidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either way, Kramer gets to live out his Hammer of Witches.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Powerful But Easy to Catch<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-104373\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5.jpg\" alt=\"malleus maleficarum book\" class=\"wp-image-104373\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20800'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='800'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"malleus maleficarum book\" class=\"wp-image-104373 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-6\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-1080x720.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/malleus-maleficarum-witch-5-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Pexels<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The witches are said to possess incredible powers; they could cause serious harm and perform supernatural deeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, the Malleus Maleficarum claims they&rsquo;re often easy to spot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If they&rsquo;re so capable, how can they be so easy to uncover? And wasn&rsquo;t it previously stated that it&rsquo;s actually hard to catch witches because they&rsquo;re so secretive?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s pretty clear that the only power witches had was the one the society and the church gave them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The author and other witch hunters wanted people to believe that witches were a threat, but also to trust in their power to catch them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s a paradox that reveals <strong>the main tactic<\/strong> behind the witch hunts: <strong>miedo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Between Greatness and Powerlessness<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-84163\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9.jpg\" alt=\"secret\" class=\"wp-image-84163\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-170x113.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"801\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201200%20801'%3E%3Crect%20width='1200'%20height='801'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"secret\" class=\"wp-image-84163 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-18x12.jpg 18w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-960x641.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-1080x721.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-9-170x113.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus claims witches are capable of causing storms, bringing illness, and even killing with their spells and curses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, they&rsquo;re also presented as completely powerless against the <strong>church&rsquo;s authority<\/strong>. No matter how much damage they do, the church always comes out on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This contradiction shows that the supposed power of witches was just an illusion. It was an image created to justify persecution and bring people back to the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s no accident that terrible witch hunts came immediately after the <strong>Renaissance period<\/strong>, when people turned to the real world, nature, and the classic art from pagan times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The church allowed its fanatics to run wild as long as they could bring the people and their money back to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Confessions<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-full wp-image-84165\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1168\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-84165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10.jpg 1168w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-1024x757.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-768x568.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-960x710.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-1080x799.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-170x126.jpg 170w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\"><\/noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1168\" height=\"864\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%201168%20864'%3E%3Crect%20width='1168'%20height='864'%20style='fill:%23e3e3e3'\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-84165 lazyload\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) calc(100vw - 40px), 728px\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10.jpg\" id=\"mv-trellis-img-8\" data-src=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10.jpg 1168w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-1024x757.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-768x568.jpg 768w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-960x710.jpg 960w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-1080x799.jpg 1080w, https:\/\/angelynum.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/witchy-dates-10-170x126.jpg 170w\" data-trellis-processed=\"1\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">&copy; Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Malleus Maleficarum claims that confessions obtained through torture are truthful. It&rsquo;s like the pain and trauma can reach the possessed witch and get them to confess their sins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the author also admits that torture can produce false confessions, as people would admit to anything just to stop the pain. Imagine that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This contradiction exposes the entire witch-hunt and inquisition process as pointless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The confessions can seemingly be <strong>both genuine and fabricated<\/strong>, depending on what the hunter decides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And did they have any way to tell which confession was true and which was forced? Of course not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, this is a grim reminder of what we already know, that the entire witch-craze was built on lies and <strong>manipulated evidence<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Malleus Maleficarum, that infamous witch-hunting manual from the 15th century, is filled with nonsense and contradictions. This document is as confusing as it is &hellip;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":104374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"syndication_tool_enabled":true,"syndication_tool_title":"","syndication_tool_excerpt":"","syndication_tool_featured_image":0,"syndication_tool_publish_date":"","syndication_tool_schema_types":["gallery"],"syndication_tool_backlink_enable":false,"syndication_tool_ai_disclosure_enable":false,"disable-in-feed":false,"article-schema-type":"Article","disable-critical-css":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[208],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-history"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104305"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":106303,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104305\/revisions\/106303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/104374"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/angelynum.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}