Interpreting human/nature relations in the debate on witchcraft in early modern England

Damaris’ research explores the interactions between notions of nature and humans in the debate on witchcraft and demonology in early modern England, focusing on the conceptualization of the "natural" and the "preternatural". The thesis examines how experiences of nature are presented in the discussions on whether a human being – the witch – could intervene in the course of non-human creation, exploit or manipulate natural forces to achieve specific goals, as affecting crops, animal life, health and general well-being, or control the weather.