.jpg)
The fox stood for trickery and deceit. This assumption was derived from its hunting style, which involved it pretending to be dead by covering itself in red mud. It then waited for birds to descend upon it to snatch them out of the air and kill them. This tactic seems much like that of the Jews we have seen in other readings. For example, in "The Miracle of the Boy Singer," the Jewish murderer lures the boy singer into his home to kill him by pretending to be nice to the child. This habit of lying that leads to murder seen in both the Jews and the fox can be connected to their association with the devil.
Medieval foxes were directly representative of the devil in their hunting style. The devil is said to have pretended to be dead to people who were questioning their faith. Then when he had them in his reach he would snatch them away. To true believers the devil is always supposed to be dead. Medieval Christian portrayals of Jews after most of the Jews had already left the area seem to be saying the same thing: don't forgot about Jewish evil.
Mandeville's tales seem to be backing this notion up by mentioning the ten Jewish tribes locked away in the Amazon. By leading the Jews out of the mountains with a fox he is also asserting their connection to the devil, making them almost as if they were the people of the devil. Mandeville's portrayal of Jews suggests that they will be rewarded by the fox and take part in the end of the world. This tale is directed at Christians to instill fear.
In contrast, a more recent depiction of the fox's relationship to Jews is meant to instill fear in Jews and hatred in Christians. This is the tale of Van den vos Reynaerde, an anti-Semitic tale taken from the Medieval "Reynard the Fox." Reynard, a traditionally trickster-hero, is presented in this tale as a genocidal champion over the rhinoceroses, which with their long horned noses represented Jews.
It is interesting to see how the Jews' relationship with the fox has changed over time. It shows either way a strong connection to evil and the devil, which has made them easy targets for
Christian hatred
Derek –
ReplyDeleteWhen considering the Jews and the medieval fox, it is also interesting to look at both of their connections to blood. The fox was often believed to roll around in red mud so it would look like it was covered in blood. Therefore allowing it’s prey to think the fox dead and approach it (only to be eaten a second later). Jews, on the other hand and in multiple stories we read, were often accused of kidnapping and murdering Christian children in order to use their blood for religious rituals. Both of these actions are both seen as evil and in relation to the devil (fox in it’s sly ways and the Jews with the devil in their heart), It is no surprise that they both have become targets for Christian hatred.
Do you think there is a connection between foxes, Jews, and women as well? Women were seen as sneaky as well, poisoning and deceiving rather than being forthright. Beautiful women are also called "foxy," and the Jews trapped in the mountains are guarded by the Amazons. Because a fox leads the Jews out, I wonder if the legend is putting some of the fault on the Amazons, who are women, for the escape of the Jews.
ReplyDeleteThere is also a connection of blood between the three. Jews were said to kill Christian boys and eat their blood, foxes used blood to trick birds, and women's menstrual blood was seen as dirty. Linking women with Jews and foxes is also in line with the idea that women are mentally more susceptible to sin and influences of the devil, similar to how women were more likely to be accused of witchcraft and how Eve plunged all humanity into sin.