Podcast Summary: "Dancing Plague of 1518"
Episode Title: Dancing Plague of 1518
Host: Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Guest: Dr. Linneth J. Miller Renberg, Assistant Professor of European History at Anderson University
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Podcast: Not Just the Tudors by History Hit
1. Introduction to the Dancing Plague
Professor Suzannah Lipscomb opens the episode by recounting the extraordinary events of July 14, 1518, in Strasbourg. A single woman began dancing uncontrollably in the streets, and within weeks, this involuntary dancing epidemic engulfed up to 400 people, leading to exhaustion and even death.
"Drenched in sweat, limbs thrashing convulsively, with swollen feet and glazed eyes... as many as 15 people a day were simply dropping dead from sheer exhaustion." (02:16)
2. The Woman Who Initiated the Plague
Dr. Linneth J. Miller Renberg discusses Frau Trofea, the woman believed to have started the dancing plague. According to historical accounts, Frau Trofea was likely a woman of lower social status without any elite connections in Strasbourg.
"Paracelsus theory is that she starts dancing simply to annoy her husband... However, it seems a more plausible explanation that rather than simply annoying her husband, she's dancing in response to these really dire social conditions." (05:16)
3. Spread of the Mania
The dancing mania rapidly spread from Frau Trofea to dozens, and eventually hundreds, of people. Various theories attempt to explain the rapid dissemination, including mass hysteria and divine punishment.
"Paracelsus... has a couple of different causes he'll kind of posit... one of which is that the dancing spread through the imagination." (08:17)
4. Demographics of the Affected
Contrary to initial beliefs that such phenomena were predominantly a female issue, the 1518 outbreak included men, women, and children of all ages and social statuses.
"There is not a common profession, there is not a common factor when it comes to their social status." (13:06)
5. Dance: From Religious Practice to Sin
Dr. Renberg elaborates on the evolving perception of dance from a legitimate religious practice to something seen as lascivious and sinful, particularly in Northern Europe.
"Dance is something that can be used in worship... and dance has something that might be representative of having poor theology or of pagan influences, or simply of sexual misbehavior." (15:01)
6. Medical and Religious Responses
Initially, city officials attempted to cure the dancers by encouraging more dancing, believing it would burn off excess blood as per humoral theory.
"The city erected a new dance hall, bringing in trained musicians to speed up the process." (33:15)
When medical interventions failed, they shifted to religious remedies, ultimately ending the plague by transporting the dancers to the shrine of St. Vitus.
"They load the dancers three by three into wagons... walk them three times around the altar, and then from there they end the plague." (38:43)
7. The Role of Communitas and Collective Action
Drawing on Victor Turner's concept of "communitas," Dr. Renberg suggests that the collective frenzy of the dancers transformed individual protest into a communal movement that spiraled beyond initial intentions.
"The dancers aren't disturbed by people trying to pull them out of the dance. They can't be stopped. They dance through all limits of physical endurance." (30:20)
8. Dr. Renberg's Insights and Conclusions
Dr. Renberg posits that the dancing plague was a form of protest against social injustices, clerical failures, and economic hardships. She believes it was both an intentional act of rebellion and a phenomenon exacerbated by physiological and psychological factors.
"I think the cause is ... dissatisfaction with the status quo... an expression of dissatisfaction with the status quo." (48:18)
She also emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and semiotics to fully grasp the motivations and experiences of those involved.
"There's something happening like that there as well. ... we don't know how they feel or what they think." (52:07)
Key Takeaways
- Origins: The dancing plague began with a single woman, Frau Trofea, potentially as a response to social and economic hardships.
- Spread: The phenomenon quickly escalated, affecting a diverse group of people, suggesting factors beyond individual motives.
- Cultural Context: The transition of dance from a sacred act to a sinful one reflects broader societal tensions, particularly regarding gender and religion.
- Responses: Initial medical attempts to cure the plague by promoting more dancing failed, leading to religious interventions that ultimately quelled the mania.
- Interpretation: Dr. Renberg views the dancing plague as both a deliberate protest and a manifestation of mass psychological phenomena, influenced by the oppressive conditions of the time.
Notable Quotes
- "Frau Trofea... is simply the instrument through which this outbreak occurs." (45:37)
- "Dance is the symbol of social order, of community. And so through this sort of disordered dancing, there's this expression that the social order is broken." (47:55)
- "The dancers do intentionally start this as a way to get their attention and to express their dissatisfaction in a way that is clearly intelligible with the semiotics of the time period." (48:18)
This episode delves deep into the mysterious Dancing Plague of 1518, exploring its social, cultural, and psychological dimensions. Dr. Renberg provides invaluable insights into how such a phenomenon could emerge from the confluence of economic hardship, clerical corruption, and evolving societal norms around gender and religion. The discussion underscores the importance of considering historical context and the symbolic meanings attached to actions like dancing when interpreting past events.