French Literature Reviews - 2026
Werewolves in the Middle Ages (ed. Corinne Pierreville)
Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Review published in Acta Fabula (April 2025, vol. 26, no. 4): "This myth of the man capable of transforming into a wolf", by Christophe Cosker
In the Middle Ages, the werewolf sparked a fascination that permeated both vernacular and learned literature. It crystallized deep-seated human anxieties, touching upon fundamental questions regarding the nature of humanity and animality. It prompts reflection on the place of the monster within Creation and questions whether it might possess a soul. It exposes the hidden impulses and desires buried within human beings, as well as the dysfunctions of the individual and society. The nineteen texts gathered in this collection explore the various facets of lycanthropy, without overlooking its medical or anthropological origins, its demonization by the Inquisition, or its numerous fictional incarnations. For these authors from the 11th to the 15th century, this myth was not merely a strange curio intended to captivate audiences by provoking horror mingled with a disturbing allure; it carries profound meaning for those willing to pay attention.
Corinne Pierreville is Professor of Medieval French Language and Literature at Université Jean Moulin-Lyon 3 and a member of UMR 5648. With diverse research interests, she has published some fifteen books, including an Anthology of Medieval Erotic Literature as well as bilingual editions of the prose Romance of Merlin and Chrétien de Troyes's Yvain, the Knight of the Lion. She has edited the publication of Renart le contrefait and co-edited the two volumes of the Dictionary of Animals in French Literature. Since October 2023, she has been a member of the Institut Universitaire de France and is currently working on the online publication of all medieval French fabliaux on the Base de Français Médiéval.
Excerpt from the introduction...
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PDF version: EAN: 9782380960815. €19.50
The figure of the werewolf occupies a significant place in medieval European culture, bridging the gap between folklore and formal literary traditions. During the Middle Ages, the transformation from human to beast served as a narrative device to examine the boundaries between humanity and animality. The nineteen texts gathered in this collection explore the various facets of lycanthropy, including its medical or anthropological origins, its demonization by the Inquisition, and its fictional incarnations from the 11th to the 15th century.
The collection addresses the intersection of vernacular and learned literature, reflecting on the place of the monster within Creation and questioning whether it might possess a soul. It explores the hidden impulses and desires buried within human beings, as well as the dysfunctions of the individual and society. Readers interested in the development of medieval literature and the history of the fantastic may find this collection relevant to their research into the cultural construction of the werewolf.