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Shapeshifting is the ability to change from one form into another.

The first thing that would occur to most people as a shapeshifter is a werewolf. The werewolf (both in legend and literature) changes shape from a human to a wolf, and back again

However, there are many others as well. Literary and cinematic vampires are usually shapeshifters. Most audiences think of Dracula changing into a bat, but he could take other forms as well in the Bram Stoker book.

Most cultures have legends of humans transforming into other shapes (with animals appropriate to the zoography) and vice versa. Some monsters legendarily change into other tempting shapes (such as humans or horses) to trap the unwary.

Even superheros can be shapeshifters: Bruce Banner becomes the Hulk, or Billy Batson transforms into Captain Marvel.

The change may happen in a magical flash, or be a painful rearrangement (An American Werewolf in London had a particularly memorable transformation scene that looked really painful).

Books

• Witches, Werewolves, and Fairies: Shapeshifters and Astral Doubles in the Middle Ages by Claude Lecouteux. (2003). ISBN 978-0892810963

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