A Werewolf: (also known as a lycanthrope) is a mythical shapeshifter- human who transforms into a wolf or a wolf-human hybrid. Deeply rooted in global folklore, modern interpretations generally depict this transformation as an involuntary curse triggered by a full moon and spread through a bite.
History and Origins
Etymology: The word stems from the Old English werewulf, combining wer (man) and wulf (wolf)
Ancient Roots: Tales of human-to-animal shapeshifters date back to antiquity. Greek mythology features the tale of King Lycaon, who was punished by Zeus and turned into a wolf (which is where the term lycanthropy originates)
Medieval Folklore: Beliefs in werewolves surged during the Middle Ages in parallel with witch hunts, where people blamed the beast for taboo human behaviours, murder, and unexplained tragedies.
