Hello everyone! I am working on a research paper for witchcraft in Early Modern Europe. I want to discuss the issue of sexuality, femininity and masculinity as they appear in witchcraft trials. I intend to find roots and causes of sexual tension, as well as to better understand the role of sexuality in gender relations in the early modern period in Europe. I need a little help finding sources. (it is a small paper, only 20 pages) I already have for primary sources the malleus Malificurum, the trial of Suzanne gaudry, Papal Bull of 1484, the trial of Tempel Anneke as well as several visual sources of Penis Trees. For secondary sources I will be using Oedipus and the Devil by Lyndal Roper, The Witch in History by Diane Purkiss, Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe by Wiesner by as well Jeffery cohens work on monster theory. (I think his work would pertain to my treatment of witches as monster in culture). I am a grad student who focuses mainly and America religious history, but this course is for my minor so I am a little lost as far as good sources and historiography are concerned. Any early modern gender, sexuality, cultural or religious historians (or anyone with help really) out there with any advice? Anything would be much appreciated!
This past semester I finished a grad level class on early modern England, although the topic is obviously nowhere near my research interests. From our class readings, I think you might find James Sharpe's Instruments of Darkness: Witchcraft in Early Modern England to be what you're looking for. You may also want to take a look at several sections of Keith Thomas's Religion and the Decline of Magic. Lastly, I'm not sure if this book will be helpful for you, but since you are looking at early modern gender you may want to check out Anthony Fletcher's Gender, Sex, and Subordination in England, 1500-1800.
Two overview books anyone writing on witchcraft must take into account:
Although I'm not at all an expert on the topic, I found Cows, Pigs, Wars, and Witches by Marvin Harris to be a really informative, albeit slightly dated, book with a fair sized section devoted to witches. From what it sounds like, it may be pertinent, since he discusses the possibility of broomsticks as a sexual object, but also delves into the idea that medieval witches used a topical drug to induce hallucinations of flight.