Sorceresses and witches: some Cervantine spells

Abstract

Cervantes is one of the authors who has introduced sorceresses and witches most abundantly in his work. For this reason, it is urgent to pay attention to this distinguished writer to trace a general view of the Spanish literature devoted to witches and sorceresses in the Golden Age. Don Miguel allows sorceresses from other lands, those who behave as procuresses, classical ones and, of course, witches to swarm in the pages of his texts. He lets himself feel fascinated, once and again, by supernatural women to the extent of becoming one of the main promoters of their literary treatment. Though he believes he is a scoffer of his magic creatures, he ends up by becoming an artist fascinated by those same characters he criticised; who, besides, fascinates his readers; and who, even scarcely perceiving it, is the first one in showing, within fiction, a human witch with her own voice, Cañizares.