An Inverted Dystopia

Abstract

This new interpretation of Margaret Cavendish’s The Blazing World (1666) shows that womenengaged with witchcraft theory in early modern Europe. Remnants of the early modern witch-crazeexist in theoretical texts by the men who were at the heart of defning and defending the ‘truths’about witchcraft. Notably, as cases of witchcraft were predominantly against women, women’svoices remain unheard. Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle, was a rare example of awoman attempting to insert herself into intellectual circles like the Royal Society. Having frequentedthe circles of men that believed they were scientifcally proving witchcraft, it is unlikely thatCavendish did not have her own opinions on the subject. By showing how Cavendish’s dystopianscience-fction novel echoes men’s theories about witchcraft, the parody she makes of their theoriesis brought to light and earns her a place in the wider scholarship on the subject.