What is a werewolf?
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a human who turns into a wolf
The werewolf is a shape-shifter who switches between human and wolf.
💡 Did you know? The technical term „lycanthropy“ goes back to King Lycaon, who was turned into a wolf.
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When does the werewolf transform in pop culture?
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at the full moon
In modern tales the full moon triggers the involuntary transformation.
💡 Did you know? This rule, though, comes largely from 20th-century films, not from old legends.
What is the werewolf vulnerable to in pop culture?
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to silver
By common belief a werewolf can only be killed with a silver bullet.
💡 Did you know? This rule too became popular only in the 20th century through cinema.
What happened to alleged werewolves in the early modern period?
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they were persecuted
As in the witch trials, real people were accused of being werewolves and executed.
💡 Did you know? Belief in shape-shifters is found worldwide, for example as were-tigers or were-bears.
Which king was turned into a wolf in Greek legend?
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Lycaon
Zeus turned the wicked King Lycaon into a wolf as punishment.
💡 Did you know? From him comes the technical term „lycanthropy“ for turning into a wolf.
Are werewolves the only shape-shifters?
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no, others exist worldwide
Belief in animal transformations is found worldwide, as were-tigers, were-bears or were-hyenas.
💡 Did you know? In many cultures such shape-shifters were seen as sorcerers or cursed people.
What does the prefix “were-” in werewolf mean?
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man
Old High German “wer” = man, cognate with Latin “vir”.
💡 Did you know? Werewolf thus simply means “man-wolf”.
Which ancient novel contains the earliest werewolf tale?
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in the Satyricon
Petronius's soldier transforms on a burial ground.
💡 Did you know? Already there a wound betrays the shapeshifter.
Which “Werewolf of Bedburg” was executed in 1589?
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Peter Stubbe
One of Europe's most notorious werewolf trials.
💡 Did you know? Broadsheets spread the case as far as England.
Which garment was said to turn its wearer into a werewolf?
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a wolf belt
A strap of wolfskin, often allegedly from the devil.
💡 Did you know? Salves and drinking from wolf tracks were also said to work.
What is the medical “werewolf delusion” called?
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lycanthropy
Sufferers believe they transform into an animal.
💡 Did you know? Named after the transformed king Lycaon.
Which 1941 film classic cemented silver and the full moon?
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The Wolf Man
Universal horror starring Lon Chaney Jr.
💡 Did you know? Much supposed “old lore” in it was invented for the script.
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