Henricus Institoris and Jacobus Sprenger: Malleus maleficarum

Audience

The audience for the Malleus maleficarum is difficult to clearly ascertain, in part because each section of the source is very different. Book 2 was probably intended to be read by other inquisitors and preachers; the purpose seems to be to educate other inquisitors and preachers about how the Devil produces evil in the world and how to recognize it. In the opening of book 2, Institoris addresses his audience directly, instructing them, “You should understand that this temptation does not surpass the strength of the one tempted.” Institoris is explaining to educated clergymen the Devil’s process of temptation using an argument derived from Saint Gregory the Great, the pope at the turn of the seventh century. He also wants to give preachers the tools to explain this process to their parishioners, so that Christians can guard themselves against demons. He continues, “As for the divine permission, explain that God gives His permission.” He is thus suggesting how other clerics can explain difficult theological concepts about the nature of God and evil to their Christian flock. So the intended audience for book 2 of the Malleus maleficarum was literate preachers who were grappling with demonic activity within their dioceses. In contrast, book 1 discusses complex theological issues regarding the nature of body and soul and the corporeality of demons, topics of most interest to learned, university-trained theologians and scholars. Book 3 consists of guidelines and protocol for inquisitorial inquiries and so is rather addressed to other inquisitors or clerics with specific responsibilities for prosecuting heretics.