by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: February 17, 2009   Last Updated: February 18, 2010

Many people have seen movies in which the werewolf is the villain. They are usually seen as bloodthirsty creatures in canine form and evil people with bad personalities when in human form. However, what is a werewolf really?

The representation of a man transforming into a wolf is the common thought when someone hears the word "werewolf". Surprisingly, there are actually four separate types of werewolves. Two of them remain shrouded in the mysteries of humanity's past. There is a fantasy creature that is recognized today as "the" werewolf. Finally, the last type of werewolf is a person with a mental disorder.

The Willing Werewolf

The first werewolf was thought to be man who made a pact with the devil in order to defeat his enemies. The devil gave the man a skin, a salve, and an incantation. Then the devil told the man how to use the items in order to transform into a beast. These people would willingly transform into a monster in order to create havoc around their villages. They had no remorse afterwords.

During the day, they lead normal lives. They controlled the change and chose their victims before making the change. They were fully aware while in their bestial form and able to direct the creature that they had become. The only known way to defeat this werewolf, since it has the blessing of the devil, himself, is to destroy the fur.

Later, other people would choose to be bitten or cursed to turn into their bestial form. By choosing the change, they, like the "first" werewolf, could control the change, and keep their intelligence. There is no known cure for a willing werewolf. The only option available is to destroy the beast.

The Unwilling Werewolf

This werewolf is a person who has managed to survive an attack by another werewolf. The person did not choose to be transformed. They often do not remember becoming a werewolf and have no control of that form. Forced to take form only during the full moon or when the Wolf's Bane blooms, these people have no memory of anything that occurs while in wolf form.

This type of lycanthrope can be cured. However, on some occasions, the cures will not work. This may be because some part of the person knows what they are. They secretly rejoice in the acts committed while in canine form. If that is the case, you are once again left with destruction as the only means of control.

The Fantasy Werewolf

The fantasy creature that many people claim is a werewolf is both similar and dissimilar to the legendary beast of mythology.

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