In medieval times, torture was used to punish criminals, deter crime, and gather information. There were many different types of tortures, most of which were brutal and painful. At the time, torture was deemed necessary to maintain order. Laws were harsh and torture was severe, but effective form of punishment. Despite its effectiveness, torture was often an unfair and extremely cruel punishment, and should have been eliminated in all forms. It is disturbing to learn how people were humiliated and maltreated, and how exquisitely brutal were the devices invented to subdue and discipline people.
The reason torture was commonly accepted during the Middle Ages was the lack of police or law enforcement. It was believed that to prevent crime,
…show more content…
The variety of torture devices was quite astonishing. One popular method of torture was the Judas Cradle. The Judas Cradle consisted of a pyramid shaped wooden tool where the victim was placed on the top of the pyramid. His or her hands and legs would be tied so that the weight could not be shifted elsewhere. The feet were tied with each other with the purpose of increasing the pain whenever there was a movement of feet. Therefore, it was more painful to people who violated the rules. It was one of the cruelest punishments of all. It was extremely painful and unnecessary for any sort of violation. …show more content…
In the Middle Ages, European courts considered torment to be a true method of pulling out confessions, names of assistants and nature of plot against rulers or aristocrats. That is where one can see such torture devices like thumb screw, choke pear and, among others, dry pulley. (www.ricksteves.com) In southwest France, the post called Maison Forte de Reignac is beautifully tucked into a stone face high over the Vézère River. You wouldn't suspect that its rooms list more than 60 instruments of torment. One of them is an "iron lady," a casket formed box lined with iron spikes as well as the broken crane, chastity belt, and Judas
Torture played a huge role in the powers of the inquisitors. “Document 5: The Case of Marina Gonzalez” in the book The Spanish Inquisition written by Lu Ann Homza, is an example of how important torture was for confessions however torture was ineffective when revealing truths. To torture an entire group of a population, it would have required a very thorough process. An inquisition began with an Edict of Grace after a Catholic Mass, in which those in community who were guilty of heresy were invited to the town center to declare any acts against the church.
In the case that there is sufficient evidence of guilt as well as coconspirators, torture may be allowed but none that is inhumane. Document B: The Massachusetts Body of Liberties allows torture in the case that somebody is deemed guilty by clear evidence. In the Laws of Connecticut Colony, no torture is allowed whatsoever. Document C: Mather advises judges to continue the regular American method of obtaining confessions and to abstain from torture, for confusion is more likely to get a confession than torture. Document D: Henry warns that Congress will attempt to extort confession by practicing torture.
In similar fashion, most of the deaths in the European trials were hangings. Another way of execution was tying the persons hands and feet together and putting them in water, if the person sank, deemed innocent. If the person floated, considered to be witches and executed on the spot. Other tortures included thumbscrews, leg vices, scalding lime baths, whipping stocks, and the strappado. The strappado hoisted up a person and pulled apart.
In reality torturing includes physical, mental, or verbal to be exact. Article 5 from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, “Nobody has the right to torture, harm, or humiliate you. Presently, in the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel in chapter 4 pg.64 says, “I saw Idek with a young Polish girl, half-naked on a mattress. Idek leapt up turned around and saw me while the girl tried to cover up her breasts.” Also on chapter 4 pg.65 states, “Lie down on it, on your stomach!”
Jurgis Rudkus, the main character in The Jungle by Upton Sinclair, has a very rough journey when he moves to America from Lithuania. He faces many hardships and they're difficult for anyone to endure. Throughout the novel Jurgis is put through the justice/prison system multiple times, and each time he experienced something new, whether it be the unjust treatment he received, the food he was served, or even the condition of his cell and daily life there. The novel portrayed the justice system as an unfair one. They treat immigrants and the poor unfairly.
In order to better understand how torture is used in the Salem Witch Trials, it is necessary to examine the usage of torture and interrogation in the modern
The torture apparatus was used by the Old Commandant, and later the Officer, in order to enforce the laws he had created, employing macabre means to do so. Those who violated the commandments were all punished by the machine, no matter the severity of the violation thanks in part to the absolute authority held by the Officer as the judge, jury, and executioner. In this
Under fairness ethics, it is not fair for the torturer to deal with these consequences. To better understand fairness turn the tables around and determine if the same treatment is justifiable. Think about the invasion in Iraq, what if an Iraqis capture an American? Should Iraqis torture the American in efforts to learn which areas in Iraq need evacuation to save lives (Mayerfeld 2008)? Individuals would not be hesitant to defend the American’s rights and oppose torturing him This biased opinion develops only the basis of who is the victim. Hence, emphasizing the lack of equality when evaluating the morality of using torture.
08 Feb. 2016. This source explains that torture is actually one of the last methods used when they are interrogating someone since many know that it has a very low success rate. If the person is not willing to cooperate, they go down a list. Many people thought to use the top methods as they are not as immoral. Getting to the end of the list thought means they have nothing else to make the person talk which is why they use
While analyzing “The Torture Myth” and “The Case for Torture”, it is very clear to see the type of rhetorical appeals used to persuade the audience. Anne Applebaum, the writer of “The Torture Myth” --in context of the decision of electing a new Attorney General--would argue that torture is very seldomly effective, violates a person’s rights, and should be outlawed due to the irrational need upon which physical torture is used. On the other hand, Michael Levin strongly argues that physical torture is crucial to solving every imminent danger to civilians. Levin claims that if you don’t physically torture someone, you are being weak and want to allow innocent people to die over something that could have been simply done.
During Elizabethan Era, the punishments given out for certain crimes were often brutal and ruthless. Criminals were handed out their punishments depending on how severe their crimes were. There were a variety of punishments given out, but only a few were frequently used. The torture among the different classes were given out depending on people's role in society.
While we prefer life in jail, they preferred death. To conclude, a significant extent of the nature of crime and punishment changed between social classes and over the years since the Medieval Period. This is seen through the significant groups that were involved in medieval crime and punishment, the effects of a person’s social class on crime and punishment, the sort of crime each punishment was used for and the difference between crime and punishments between the Medieval Period and today. The Medieval Period lasted from 476 CE to 1453 CE, with different punishments for each crime committed by different social
In Michael Levin's The Case for Torture, Levin provides an argument in which he discusses the significance of inflicting torture to perpetrators as a way of punishment. In his argument, he dispenses a critical approach into what he believes justifies torture in certain situations. Torture is assumed to be banned in our culture and the thought of it takes society back to the brutal ages. He argues that societies that are enlightened reject torture and the authoritative figure that engage in its application risk the displeasure of the United States. In his perspective, he provides instances in which wrongdoers put the lives of innocent people at risk and discusses the aspect of death and idealism.
If the torturer thought that they weren't getting information fast enough they would add weights to the victims feet. If the weights were not helping they would rock the person or repeatedly drop them on it(Judas Cradle). The Pear of Anguish was a tool that was inserted into one of a persons orifices . The instrument consisted of four leaves that slowly separated from each other when the torturer turned the screw, spreading and tearing(Pear of Anguish). A method that was strictly for women was called the breast ripper, a four pronged device that looked like huge iron tongs with spikes(Medieval Torture).
Torture is universally prohibited in both national and International law worldwide. It is a fundamental violation of human rights that cannot be derogated from. Essentially, torture is said to constitute any physical and mental act by which severe pain or suffering is intentionally inflicted upon a person ( UNCAT).Torture is mainly used for purposes that are set out to degraded, embarrass, and induce destruction in the person being subjected to torture and those in close relation to the person being tortured .Torture is a mechanism used by those in authoritative positions to preserve themselves in power (Power, 2006:2). Despite the universal prohibition on torture, its use has been widespread throughout history, and especially of late in the wake of September 11 2001 and other recent terrorist atrocities to combat the aforementioned heinous terrorist attacks.