The dark history of werewolves - Craig Thomson

[@Sibunamember101]

'Stock up on silver. Keep to the road. Beware the moon.' Is such a good line

[@strawdavid]

Yeah and the animations at end were surprisingly bone chilling

[@user-op4ft4yh5f]

year 2024 April 25 Night AM PM full moon AUSTRALIA werewolf

[@Dheeraj5373]

Werewolves symbolize themes of transformation, duality, and the struggle between human and animal instincts. Popular depictions of werewolves have contributed to their enduring presence in modern storytelling and entertainment.

[@custos3249]

Which makes them infinity more interesting than 1 note monsters like vampires.

[@miglydon8773]

@@custos3249if you think vampires are one-note, you need to research vampire history with an open-mind. I don’t mean to insult or berate you at all, I just seek to hopefully broaden your perspective. Vampires are one of the world’s most ancient monsters and span across multiple cultures. There are so many varying renditions of them. They are used to represent the predatory power of elites/oligarchs or social deviances and the fear they create. The symbolism behind monsters is awesome!

[@custos3249]

@@miglydon8773 Sorry, but outside examples like Nosferatu and Jiangshi, vampires are incredibly mundane. Even Blade and Underworld couldn't save them from Stephanie Myer. And before someone mentions Jacob, no. The IP theft of Animorphs doesn't count.

[@Werdxp]

Sounds like a ChatGPT answer not gonna lie. Still good though

[@kakioualy3256]

Werewolves are early furry fictions.

[@AnalogKid2112]

I took a “Psychology of Horror” class in undergrad. This video reminded me of this class. Horror throughout history reflects human psychology and cultural fears of the times.

[@morgansenzamici391]

and politics!

[@WlngDlngBat]

If I remember the story of“Bisclavret” correctly, it ends happily. The knight, now stuck as a wolf, returns to the king. The king, unknowing of the wolf’s true form, is very happy to have a tame and loyal wolf as his companion. Eventually, the wolf knight and the king come across the wife of the werewolf, and the wolf attacks her, making her reveal what she’s done. The knight gets to return to human form, and it’s a happy ending.

[@custos3249]

Gonna have to dig out my copy now. Probably wrong, but coulda swore he remains cursed, but gets his revenge after the wife is brought back to him. He tears off her nose and curses her and her descendants to carry that ugliness as penance for her deceit and treachery. I forget the specifics since we spent several classes discussing the "misogyny" of the narrative rather than anything of substance or interest.

[@custos3249]

@scarletgoat173 _Monster and Monstrosity_ during my English undergrad. One of the few genuinely great classes I ever took, so long as we stuck to relevant subjects.

[@allenman97]

Monsterum had episode on that on KZbin.

[@robertstrachan3915]

Happy ending! You forgot the part where he rips off her nose 😂

[@WlngDlngBat]

@@robertstrachan3915, hey, maybe I just heard a different version, idk!

[@nerdlingeeksly5192]

0:44 love how Italy is an arm with a hand, and the wolf in the north.

[@NisarKhan-jm1uh]

Which is interesting when you find out Italys national animal is the wolf.

[@jessical4866]

With the long history of werewolves being male, I greatly enjoy more recent female werewolf characters. Traits like aggression, mood swings, and excessive body hair are often considered unfeminine and undesirable, but that is what a traditional werewolf means. I think that makes it a great premise to explore societal expectations put upon women, and so I really hope to see more stories about female werewolves.

[@kaylahensley1581]

Moon transformation too.

[@iliqiliev]

Guys don't google female werewolves

[@quantumblauthor7300]

Guys google female werewolves *right now, go go go*

[@shaef8863]

Ginger Snaps is probably the best example I can think of! it's so good man! there's 2 sequels

[@The1Dragonprincess]

@@shaef8863There’s also The Boy Who Cried Werwolf (2010 Film) and I feel Turning Red, although it’s a story about shapeshifters from Eastern Myths, does address similar theme of women facing puberty and how that can be animalistic.

[@Snuggles_the_Unholy]

As someone who devours anything relating to Werewolves this vid is top tier in its writing about the subject and wondetful animation. Two paws up!

[@1IGG]

If you haven't yet, dive into a tabletop RPG called Werewolf the Apocalypse. Best Werewolves ever.

[@parzival8331]

"Societys early attempts to understand brutal crime" That was such an interesting take i havent thought of.

[@TheVirtualArena24]

I can listen to this particular narrator for infinity. So calming voice

[@custos3249]

Also, I'd argue the Hulk is, at its core, a modern interpretation of the werewolf.

[@Andrewtr6]

I would argue that the Hulk was influenced more by Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde than werewolves. However, I would say that the Irish warrior Cu Chulainn is the closest to the Marvel hero. It is a misconception that Dr. Jekyll transformed into a violent monster in Robert Louis Stevenson's book. This is exactly what happens to Cu Chulainn though. The Irish hero would become a raging grotesque monster.

[@custos3249]

@@Andrewtr6 And if it weren't for the core elements of what a werewolf is, predominantly duality between rationality and animality with a dollop of transformation, you'd be correct. Plus Sir Danvers Carew would argue you need to reread Jekyll and Hyde.

[@marshallhuffer4713]

Stan Lee said he based the Hulk off of Jekyll and Hyde, along with Frankenstein's Monster.

[@theenlightenedone1283]

*Wolverine is the true and best werewolf* Sad heart broken lonely angry

[@theenlightenedone1283]

​@@Andrewtr6*Wolverine is the true and best werewolf* Sad heart broken lonely angry

[@marcusblacknell-andrews1783]

Werewolves and Lycanthropy, a mythological subject I find endlessly fascinating 🧐

[@Kostrix123]

Amazing animations and story as usual. That map of Europe was especially great

[@frankydman]

If we’re going to talk about werewolves in pop culture, then we have to talk about Lon Cheney. Lon Cheney’s portrayal was so influential, it is considered one of the most iconic of movie monsters, alongside Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein and Bela Lugosi’s Dracula.

[@lucianoosorio5942]

“In touch with the ground, I'm on the hunt, I'm after you. Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd, and I'm hungry like the wolf.” Duran Duran

[@hungrymusicwolf]

I don't know why even though this is an educational video I feel chills going down my back listening about werewolves.

[@Ashbahc]

The artwork on this video gives a good brief and simple but clear yet not too heavy ❤

[@marvinochieng6295]

Beautiful graphics, smooth narration and compelling storyline. Gotta love TedEd always

[@yellowstarproductions6743]

agreed.

[@twinmama42]

You forgot to mention Weber's opera "Der Freischütz", where the werewolf is killed by a silver bullet. Siodmak most likely knew the opera.

[@Mfalme254_]

The power of human imagination is something else.

[@jonbilgutay2]

My favorite iteration of werewolves comes from the short lived show SPECIAL UNIT 2. They made being a werewolf seem desirable; they don't need to eat or sleep, your senses and physical abilities are cranked up to 11, and you become super energetic and competitive. All the werewolves, or 'thropes' as they were called, are rich high ranking businessmen.

[@catdogmousecheese]

I love Special Unit 2, but it's impossible to find streaming or dvds of. If you've never seen it, it's really similar to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's about this secret law enforcement agency that fights monsters like vampires, werewolves, gargoyles, ogres, etc.

[@legitusername-zl7to]

*eathing the sheep huh*

[@blooky8]

i had no idea werewolves had such interesting lore! thank you for this video

[@ambarrose]

This was so well made and produced. I always love your art.

[@guyguy7634]

Werewolves in my opinion are incredibly underrated

[@theenlightenedone1283]

*Wolverine is the true and best werewolf* Sad heart broken lonely angry

[@SleepyPlushy]

4:48 bro scared an alien! Mad respect!

[@Iqrarali22]

I am from a remote area living on the border line of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we have different breeds of wolves here, gray wolves, white snow wolves and many others, they are vacious and bloody but i have never seen any warewolf or i have never heard any story. I think this mythology belongs to europe and west.

[@MarcTelang]

Doesn't india have the weretiger legend?

[@s29nv1sr1]

​@@MarcTelangI'm Indian, and that's not really a thing in India to my knowledge. Our monsters are moreso demons, ghosts, witches, spirits like that.

[@theenlightenedone1283]

​@@MarcTelangI did see an old 90s movie about this

[@theenlightenedone1283]

Thanks iqrar I didn't know Pakistan had Borz I mean wolves ... I would love to see them ... can u let me know about the location and name of city / village ❤from 🇵🇰 Muhammad Rehan Khan

[@Iqrarali22]

@@theenlightenedone1283 we do have wolves here in the khyber district, it was called khyber agency back in the days. The tarren here is dry mountains. With plenty of wild animals like hyena's, wild jackels, wild brown rabbits and birds.

[@SpawnTheBadassHellSpawn]

The first werewolf movie is called"The Shapeshifters"and ever since then i thought werewolves are good people.

[@Ubrzani]

Bravo TED-Ed, always spot on! 😄👏

[@Chad-g4h]

It's funny that werewolf usually have sharp claws, while wolves don't

[@austinfreyrikrw6651]

We should do a Halloween TED-Ed marathon: Werewolves, Vampires, Zombies, etc.

[@VinnyPTAstartes]

0:33 best frame hands down 😅

[@quantumblauthor7300]

Gottem

[@paleoph6168]

TED-Ed read my mind. Yesterday, the I posted on their video on the Greek underworld a comment that had something to do with werewolves. Now, they post a video about them. 👀 Edit: Here! 1:51 The comment I made was about King Lycaon!

[@Andythecheeser]

Ya know I could've really used this 2 months ago when my school was covering werewolves

[@IrfanHazarika-fm2lx]

I laugh a lot when the xenomorph said hi and the astronaut showed his werewolf appearance😂😂

[@amitrana9090]

Such a beautiful and smooth video. Ted ed never fails to astonish me...❤

[@Sunflowersarepretty]

These animations are always top notch !! Also i had this question in my mind but didn't bother to look it up. 😂

[@luckrequired5382]

- I identify as a werewolf! - No sir, you are a furry, go to jail.

[@quantumblauthor7300]

He was arrested for credit fraud

[@mediokay508]

This reflects the modern day fears: the uwu.

[@manojsreekantam7277]

Bruh did you just draw Donald Trump at 2:37 to portray politicians fear of “Outsiders”?

[@voltmatrix1250]

If ever I need a reminder of humanity’s idiocy, I look to the witch trials

[@zhyasaman6147]

I didn’t know i was curious about this until ted ed made a video about it💀

[@robertstone9150]

While the concept of werewolves has been around for a long time especially in film none of those had depicted werewolves in a positive light, I hope that one day that overused depiction of werewolves will change.

[@germanomagnone]

for me werewolves are really fascinated, I could say that I would like to be a "werewolf dog" I'm not for massacres (and I wouldn't want to risk the "fur" against the "werewolf-killers")

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

Do you know that there is something that connects Werewolf, Vampire, Zombie, and Demonic or Djinn (especially in Arabic or Muslim majority regions) possessions myth?

[@Tom-iv3nd]

I think the fact that so many of these stories are about love is because it was used as a metaphor for loneliness and heartbreak as both can result in people becoming depressed and potentially hostile.

[@DJ_0710]

Ted ED you guys have one of the Best animated transitions ! Really love how they change it into the next picture! Videos Also has a very smooth vibe & slight humour at the end ❤❤! Love your work ! ❤

[@talithacumiferguson8834]

The Werewolf has always been my favorite Halloween monster alongside The Mummy. And I've always said to myself that Werewolves and Mummies are better than all the other Halloween Monsters, especially Vampires. Also, can you please do videos on the dark histories of mummies and (most especially) werecats?

[@Dorgpoop]

I like will will-o'-the-wisps, not least because they have the best name

[@MarcTelang]

It's going to be a full moon on this halloween. Time for the werewolves to arrive.

[@allukananika8461]

I was not prepared to hear the name of one of my neighbouring cites in the first 20 seconds of a video about werewolves.

[@Manowar458]

Awesome

[@benitoharrycollmann132]

In Norse Mythology, two decendants of Odin named Sigmund and Sinfjotli sought revenge on a local king, but wanted practice slaying men, so they took to the woods to do just that. Whilst in the woods, they found a cabin with two men sleeping under wolf skins. So they killed them and donned their wolf pelts, turning into wolves for nine days and nights, slaying many more men. After their allotted time was over, they turned back into men and burned the pelts. With their new wolf-like cunning, instead of fighting the kings men, they carried wood into his hall, and set it alight while they were sleeping, killing the king and his entourage.

[@JunaidWolf3]

I’m a huge werewolf lover

[@merlinfazbeartheinquisitor5747]

I haven't got a history of salt lake city. The days of flood. And in 1999, a tornado strikes at the city streets. Unfortunately that's all i been remembered from what i heard 24 years ago.

[@medusagorgon9]

I use to fantasize about turning into a werewolf when I was a kid. Lots of fun daydreams.

[@aleksandarvil5718]

Roaring Good 🐺🐺🐺 TED-Ed Video !!

[@Absurd_Steppe]

4:42 like Wolfwalkers. Although there were no puberty allegories in the film ( or maybe I missed something) and wolfwalkers aren't typicall werewolves as we all know, but it is still one of the best modern depictions of the famous "monster". By the way, I'm not a furry. I tolerate them, I'm just not a furry.

[@dragonridley]

The wolf bit in Wolfwalkers, I think, was more about persecution and subjugation.

[@haeminjeon7730]

🐺Me with werewolf: AAAHHH😱 🐕Me with wereDOG: OH SO CUTEEE😍

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

nice video

[@purplecouch4767]

There’s hundreds of tv shows and movies with werewolves. What is one that you like? (some of the first ones I thought of are “The Vampire Diaries” and “The Boy Who Cried Werewolf” plus others.)

[@BenHopkins1000]

American Werewolf in London, The Wolfman (original and remake), Ginger Snaps, Cursed, Van Helsing, Underworld franchise, Wolf Cop, and The Wolf of Snow Hollow

[@AvailableUsernameTed]

Young Frankenstein: Where, werewolf? Eye-gor (pointing): There, therewolf.

[@gohamorgohome]

The graphics are awesome in this one!

[@liberteraha]

Lovely art, lovely episode, thank you all

[@dylansearcy3966]

2:29 why does the executioner look like a clan member

[@user-nk6fn1lu4i]

okay who are you guys, why everytime i question something, you always give the answer a day later

[@quantumblauthor7300]

I was literally just ranting about werewolves and refreshed the page and this was there

[@Jarod-te2bi]

Love werewolf stories ❤

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

Do you know that there is something that connects Werewolf, Vampire, Zombie, and Demonic or Djinn (especially in Arabic or Muslim majority regions) possessions myth?

[@senoritasenorita-sp7fk]

Animations on this channel is amazing. 😃

[@zigman3105]

It gives you wings

[@dangeldoll]

those few seconds of mentionening Ginger Snaps 😙👌

[@engeltjie_engelbrecht]

What about the Beast of Gévaudan?

[@dellsantiago8108]

The animation alone wow 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🤩🤩🤩

[@d4darwin458]

0:30 the saviour's hide

[@Barasforlife]

Finally some werewolf love ❤

[@Shahanshah.Shahin]

Do you know that there is something that connects Werewolf, Vampire, Zombie, and Demonic or Djinn (especially in Arabic or Muslim majority regions) possessions myth?

[@Ctrooper2011]

Someone should write a werewolf story where the monster is unconnected to the issues but still exploiting both sides' fanatics for fun.

[@orvetoralsolo7892]

This is great. I am watching this whilst watching the moon.

[@markherron1407]

King Nebuchadnezzar was the FIRST WEREWOLF recorded in Daniel 4 1-33 Blessings and HUGS! 👑💜

[@Dashenic]

This episode brought to you by the artist of Red Bull commercials

[@lailoveredang]

Michael Jackson was a werewolf too 😅

[@DefiantKMYKE]

This is the weirdest redbull commercial I've seen

[@brianleicester8096]

I believe another pagan influence with a hand in the collective depiction of werewolves in history would be Norse berserkers and wolf warriors. They allegedly wore animal pelts and embodied animalistic ferocity on the battlefield.

[@langreeves6419]

Wow, Gilgamesh also has a threat of zombies. Way ahead of the curve!

[@Echo81Rumple83]

2:31 i think it was on purpose that the animator make that guy look like TFG XD

[@dud3655]

Didn't both werewolves and vampires both come from the eastern european Vrikolakas? Basically, it was a kind of ghoul that could shapeshift and fed on souls, human flesh, kids, nobody's really sure on what but something disturbing, we still call werewolves "vârcolaci"(plural, singular is vârcolac)

[@MarcTelang]

I'm pretty sure it's separate

[@dud3655]

@@MarcTelang Hmm, not sure either, gonna have to read a bit more into it, gonna be back in a second.

[@dud3655]

@@MarcTelang Alright, we're not sure about the werewolf part, but its basically where the early European vampire came from, though I can see the european vampire and werewolf myths being connected in some way, I'm not sure exactly at what point they split off, there's thousands of myths about ghouls that feed off of people and can shapeshift in European culture, wether they came into being entirely separate or split off from one single big myth, I wonder just what humanity's obsession with the dead rising to eat flesh is about.

[@MarcTelang]

@@dud3655 There is an interesting connection. The word Vrykolakas comes from the Bulgarian word Vǎrkolak which has been found in other Slavic languages, they all trace back to the proto-slavic word vьlkolakъ which translates to having wolf fur. So the idea of Vrykolakas seems to have originally meant werewolf.

[@MarcTelang]

@@dud3655 and to add more to that the Proto-Indo Europeans (the ancestor of most Europeans and Indians) had young warriors metaphorically become wolves (it was called Kóryos). That may be the source of the Vrykolakas and the myth of Lycaeus that was mentioned in the video. So that may be the place werewolves and vampires come from.

[@thelegendarysaupersaiyan]

it's not a curse it's a gift -derek hale

[@RfrSSWolf]

My Paternal Side Family, There Was A Wolfman/Werewolf Legend, Even When My Grandfather Arrived Mexico, A Local Asked If He Was A Nahual

[@Thelordofeons]

“Women who run with the wolves 🐺” AURORA

[@MYoung-yr9yi]

very good video indeed

[@hamentaschen]

"You put the balm on? Who told you to put the balm on? I didn't tell you to put the balm on. Why'd you put the balm on? You haven't even been to see the doctor. If you're gonna put a balm on, let a doctor put a balm on."

[@karifofo]

another w vid

[@larrynguyen85]

2:32 Nice to see Trump's signature hair on that pitchfork-wielding xenophobe. Very subtle.

[@TheMexyWolf]

Therians anyone! I’m a Mexican Wolf Therian. Much to my chagrin.

[@bjgoodrich5864]

Happy Halloween!🐺

[@catlvr-kg9ol]

4:57 I love this part 🤣

[@Tu-jv9qk]

Yay

[@Vexcenot]

Warewolf has always been the Romeo and Juliet of horror

[@Seffuel]

Keep on running :P

[@adityagedam5382]

Are you aware of waretiger, it's originated in northeast india were tribe believe in weretiger which behave more like a tiger than human.

[@JungDowns]

#DefeatAging #AntiAging We love werewolves Traditional modern futuristic anachronism rules

[@georges9301]

Y'all sure left out the part in Bisclavret where the wolf and a king fall in love, lol.

[@rustysaw3288]

Eyyy early werewolves.

[@Missy04]

great video, loved the animation a lot!

[@Mary-J-OK]

Wow! The grandma wolf in bed is reading one of my favourite books!

[@yugandali]

Saying it came from Tibet more likely indicated a faraway, exotic location that few people would ever reach. How many Tibetans do most Western people know? That said, if I became a werewolf, I would love to go out for a romp with our dogs.

[@hassan-touhid]

Xenomorph being afraid of werewolf is the best part I'd say! 😅😅