In the Middle Ages, the cat had many negative connotations. It was commonly associated with symbolic connotations of evil, death, the devil, witchcraft, and heresy. The cat was an easy target for such accusations, because it is a highly ambiguous and complex animal. In a way, the cat resides in two realms at the same time : wild and domestic. Its pagan and folk status, combined with its nocturnal character, allowed the cat to be a logical scapegoat for medieval moralists. - [Author]

Language: English