 Title page of a 1603 reprinting | |
| Author | James VI and I |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | 3 books and a news pamphlet in one volume. |
| Genre | Occult, religion, philosophy, dissertation, Socratic dialogue |
Publication date | 1597 |
| Publication place | England |
| Media type | |
| Preceded by | Newes from Scotland (1591) |
Daemonologie—in full Dæmonologie, In Forme of a Dialogue, Divided into three Books: By the High and Mightie Prince, James &c.—was first published in 1597[1] by King James VI of Scotland (later also James I of England) as a philosophical dissertation on contemporary necromancy and the historical relationships between the various methods of divination used from ancient black magic. It was reprinted again in 1603 when James took the throne of England. The widespread consensus is that King James wrote Daemonologie in response to sceptical publications such as Reginald Scot's The Discoverie of Witchcraft.[2]
Daemonologie included a study of demonology and the methods demons used to bother troubled men. The book endorses the practice of witch hunting.
This book is believed to be one of the main sources used by William Shakespeare in the production of Macbeth. Shakespeare attributed many quotes and rituals found within the book directly to the Weird Sisters, yet also attributed the Scottish themes and settings referenced from the trials in which King James was involved.
- ^ Evans, G. Blakemore (1997). The Riverside Shakespeare (2 ed.). Boston [u.a.]: Mifflin. p. 1356. ISBN 0-395-75490-9.
- ^ Ryynänen, Timo (2010). "James VI: The demonologist king: Demonic descriptions and their context in James VI's Daemonologie" (PDF). Itä-Suomen yliopisto: 8.