Superstition in Renaissance Italy: A Mini-Essay

     As historian Jacob Burckhardt highlights, superstition prevailed in many Renaissance societies; however, it was strongest in the Italian providences, where the rise of Humanism reintroduced elements of Greco-Roman mythology and allowed these ancient beliefs to influence the public.[1] Beginning in the thirteenth century, astrology infiltrated the daily lives of both the aristocracy and common man: the lifetime horoscopes of children were drawn at their birth to reveal their fates; the stars were consulted for important decisions and tasking journeys; and astronomers aided military leaders in martial plans, with Guido de Montefeltro, for example, relying on the astrologer Bonatto to predict the most appropriate hours for moving troops to victory.[2] Omens, too, became a distinguishing force in the era and their apparent warnings of upcoming tragedy, like the misfortune resulting from a hunting falcon’s failure to return home, were handled with the upmost gravity.[3] Likewise, evil entities and the tribulations they brought were delicate subjects to Renaissance Italians and two figures were deemed the most dangerous: ombra, which were spirits of the dead who maliciously sought to harm and kill the living, mainly children; and strega, witches who used black magic and pacts with the Devil to enact death, famine, misfortune, and plagues on hapless individuals and communities.[4] In fact, meddling in love – stirring amorous feelings in unsuspecting souls and inciting hatred in loving couples – was thought to be the strega’s favorite pastime.[5] Yet, the strega was not alone in her practice of the dark arts. Incantatore, a male magician who used black magic to advance his own financial and personal gains, and telestae, corrupt clergy who formed alliances with the Devil and his demonic minions, were also highly feared and added a level of suspicion to alchemists and the Church.[6]

Works Referenced

Burckhardt, Jacob. The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy. 1860. New York: Penguin, 1990.
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[1] Burckhardt, 323-344.
[2] Burckhardt, 323-329.
[3] Burckhardt, 329-331.
[4] Burckhardt, 332-337.
[5] Burckhardt, 336-337.
[6] Burckhardt, 3337-344.