[RERUN] EPISODE 62: Plagues, Mystery and Dancing

Aug 14, 2023

In this podcast, the host explores the bizarre phenomenon of the Dancing Plague in Strasbourg in 1518, where people became compelled to dance until exhaustion and even death. The podcast delves into the historical context of the plague, discusses various instances of dancing plagues throughout history, and explores theories and unanswered questions surrounding the phenomenon. It also examines the connection between the dancing plague, medieval dance manias, and recurring annual attacks. Overall, it offers a fascinating exploration of this strange and disturbing historical event.

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Introduction

00:00 • 1min

Ways to Support and Shout Outs

01:25 • 3min

The Human Predicament

04:43 • 5min

The Plague and Persecution in Strasbourg

09:40 • 19min

The Mysterious Dancing Plague

29:06 • 21min

Compulsive Dancing Plagues in the Middle Ages

50:04 • 6min

The Dancing Plague in Strasbourg

56:10 • 15min

Cursed to Dance: A Dark Tale and Historical Inspiration

01:11:38 • 3min

The Mysterious Dancing Plague

01:15:01 • 14min

Medieval Dance Manias: Deviant Religious Sects or Mysterious Phenomena?

01:29:01 • 21min

“The universities do not teach all things, so a doctor must seek out old wives, gypsies, sorcerers, wandering tribes, old robbers, and such outlaws and take lessons from them. A doctor must be a traveler… Knowledge is experience.” Paracelsus

“They indulged in disgraceful immodesty, for many women, during this shameless dance and mock-bridal singing, bared their bosoms, while others of their own accord offered their virtue.” C. Browerus describing the 1374 Dancing Plague

Weird seems like the most appropriate word to describe today’s subject, and yet ‘weird’ feels like an understatement. On July 14, 1518, in Strasbourg, a lady named Troffea began dancing in the streets.

Ok… that doesn’t sound too weird.

Just bare with me…

Troffea didn’t reply to questions or requests from her frustrated husband that she stopped. She had somehow slipped in a whole different state of consciousness and

kept dancing until she passed out from exhaustion. As soon as she woke up, she started dancing again. This process of compulsive dancing and passing out went on for days until Troffea’s feet were covered in blood. But the real problem began when others fell under the same spell and joined in the dance… And that’s not the worst part. Before long, many of them began dropping off dead from heart attacks caused by the excessive effort. No matter how self-destructive the dance could be, the people afflicted simply couldn’t stop. Strasbourg had been hit with the weirdest plague in history… a dancing plague.

As we explore the mystery of the dancing plague, we end up discussing the black plague, anti-Semitism, the corruption of the church, martyrs and saints, creepy fairy tales, the origin of Tarantella music, the limits of medicine in the 1500s, Paracelsus, mass hallucinations, collective hysteria, the placebo effect, and much more.

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