outcastle

An outcastle is a term sometimes used in certain contexts to refer to a person who has been expelled or banished from their home, community, or social group. This expulsion can be formal, such as through a legal or religious ruling, or informal, resulting from social ostracization or self-imposed exile. The reasons for becoming an outcastle vary widely and can include criminal behavior, political dissent, violation of social norms, or adherence to beliefs deemed heretical or unacceptable by the dominant group.

Historically, outcasting was a significant social mechanism in many societies. It served as a form of punishment and social control, separating individuals who threatened the established order or moral fabric of the community. The status of an outcastle could range from complete severance from society, with the individual becoming a pariah, to a lesser form of exclusion where they might still interact with others but without full social standing or rights. In some instances, outcasting could be a temporary measure, with the possibility of reintegration upon repentance or fulfillment of certain conditions. The concept also appears in literature and folklore, often depicting characters who are forced to live on the fringes of society, facing hardship and isolation. The term itself suggests a condition of being outside the castle walls, metaphorically representing a state of being outside the protective and social boundaries of one's original community.