29-12-2020, 02:21 PM
Hmm, I don't know to what extent Lilith is involved. The serpent-as-woman apparently goes back to various literary sources who attribute it to Beda. Not in the least the Speculum Humanae Salvationis. The idea is always that the serpent took on "the face of a woman" because it is easier to be convinced by someone who looks like yourself.
This article You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. by John K. Bonnell suggests that there may have been influences from the mystery play as well. In these plays, they would have needed someone (a woman) to voice the serpent, and since this got approval from the church authorities, it may have eased the transformation of serpent/dragon into snake-woman.
This article You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. by John K. Bonnell suggests that there may have been influences from the mystery play as well. In these plays, they would have needed someone (a woman) to voice the serpent, and since this got approval from the church authorities, it may have eased the transformation of serpent/dragon into snake-woman.