Diane Purkiss

Diane Purkiss, Oxford Fellow and Renaissance literature specialist, traces mermaid lore from Andersen to global water spirits. She compares Disney’s Ariel with the darker original, explores sirens, selkies and Mamawata, and explains why mer-creatures recur across cultures. Short, intriguing dives into myth origins, transformations and sailors’ sightings.

Professor Diane Purkiss, a scholar of witchcraft and folklore, joins Professor Suzannah Lipscomb to explore the menacing reality of 16th-century fairies. They debunk the Tinkerbell myth, revealing fairies as dangerous beings involved in child-snatching and seduction. Purkiss explains their role in significant life transitions and challenges the views of witch trials, where fairies were often misinterpreted as demonic. The conversation delves into fairy tales as a way for women to address taboo issues and the broader societal implications of belief in these supernatural figures.

Diane Purkiss, a Professor of English Literature at the University of Oxford and author of books on fairies and witches, discusses the cultural significance of fairy stories linked to motherhood and childbirth. She explores the psychological and practical functions of these narratives and their enduring appeal. The podcast delves into the historical connections between fairies, witches, and child demons, examining their roles in folklore and societal beliefs.