A Comparative Analysis of Gendered Magic in Medieval and Early Modern Fictional Works

Abstract

This research examines transformations to gendered magic in fictional literature between the medieval and early modern periods. Beliefs and attitudes concerning magic and the supernatural shifted substantially between these eras, leading to widespread trials and executions for those suspected of diabolical, malevolent witchcraft, and women formed a significant majority of the accused. Nevertheless, despite the fear of a satanical conspiracy, a belief in benevolent, or beneficial magic remained. Whilst significant research concerning medieval and early modern views and perspectives of magic exists, the gender of practitioners, or those alleged to have practised magic, primarily focuses on the dichotomies of the female malevolent witch and the male clerical or Renaissance magician. Equally, studies regarding gendered magic in fictional literature are habitually limited to the transition of magical women to evil witches. This research addresses this gap in the history of magic by exploring gendered magic within medieval and early modern fictional literature, including and beyond that of these common representations of magical people. Comparing depictions of men and women’s magic in Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte D’Arthur against those within the plays of William Shakespeare reveals that fictional literature responded to shifts in beliefs and attitudes, which led to a reduction in the role of gender in determining magical practices. However, analysing magical characters and their activities alongside contemporary gender ideals exposes the enduring interconnectedness of fictional magic and the expected behaviour and conduct for men and women. Conformity to or violation of ideals interacted with benevolent or malevolent applications of magic, and this relationship fundamentally determined the ethical quality of magical people and their endeavours, explaining why authors depicted specific magical methods and contexts as gendered practices. Consequently, despite significant transformations to gendered magic, the relationship between these elements remained integral to portrayals of magic in fictional literature. 

Date of Award	9 Dec 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Ronald E Hutton (Supervisor) & Kate A McClune (Supervisor)