A Brief History of The Werewolf

Let’s face it, we all love a good shapeshifter story. Werewolves being among the most popular, they have been the subject of many films and stories. And who could possibly ignore the Warren Zevon classic song, “Werewolves in London?” Half-man, half-wolf, the lycanthrope has been part of the mythological landscape since at least medieval times. There are many werewolf stories, the major consistencies of these tales involve the appearance of the full moon, which makes your otherwise civilized man turn all fuzzy and bloodthirsty, and that were-wolfery can spread with the bite or a scratch of another werewolf – that is only if you survive the attack. Should you encounter a werewolf, according to legend, it is best to have a loaded gun on hand with a live round of silver bullets. (Self-defense against such creatures sounds a bit expensive to me.)

Origins of the werewolf mythology itself can be a bit murky, though it is true that across all cultures, there have been shapeshifter mythologies. In geographical locations where wolves are not a native species, other animals take its place as the violent, moon-addled, and bloodthirsty menace.

Some academics argue that shapeshifter mythologies were used to explain serial killings in more superstitious times. Still others argue that the idea of the werewolf was supported by actual medical conditions, much in the same way that vampirism was, in particular a condition called porphyria which causes photosensitivity, reddish teeth and psychosis. This argument was set forth by Dr. Lee Illis in 1963. It makes more sense when applied to the myth of vampires. Hypertrichosis, or excessive hair growth, seems a more likely suspect for the werewolf myth’s medical origin. Either explanation fails to explain the origin of all shapeshifting myths, however. Mermaids whose fins can transform into legs, for example, are not furry creatures.

Whatever the origin of the myth may be, it is clear that once the werewolf entered human imagination, he was not going to leave. Well, maybe temporarily, but you can bet he’ll be back during the full moon.