Women Accused Of Witchcraft During The Salem Witch Trials

The women accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials were targeted due to their physical appearance. Any mark that may be seen as unusual on a women could easily convict her. The most common sight was often found through physical examinations of there convicted women. It became known as â€Å"the devil’s mark†. The devils mark is described as â€Å"a tangible sign left by the devil of his compact with the witch,partly to provide physical evidence that could be used in court† (Pavlac 72). Meaning, puritans believed the devil left their mark on these women not only as a sign of solidarity, but also betrayal as it served as evidence for the courtroom. This resulted in the women being accused of witchcraft to be physically examined for trial purposes. For example, in an examination of 3 women accused, Bridget Bishop, Rebecca Nurse, and Elizibeth Proctor, it was found â€Å"by diligent search [the examiners] have discovered apreternathuerall Excresense of flesh between the pudendum and Anus much like to Tetts not usual usuall in woman† (â€Å"Salem Witch Papers†). It was thought that this was the devil’s mark, and it helped sentence all three of these women to death for crimes of witchcraft (â€Å"Salem Witch Papers†). Another common defect in women became to be known as â€Å"the witch’s mark† or â€Å"witches teat†. These were places where it was believed one could suck upon the body in attempt to draw out blood. Compared to the Devil’s mark, the Witch’s mark was easier to find as it could serve asShow MoreRelatedThe Salem Witch Trials Of 16921281 Words   |  6 PagesThe Salem Witch Trials were a sequence of hearings, prosecutions, and hangings of people who were thought to be involved in witchcraft in Massachusetts. 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