The Malleus Maleficarum is divided into three parts. The first part of the book discusses the existence of witches and the reality of witchcraft. Kramer argues that witches are real and that they are a threat to Christian society. He also discusses the different types of witches and the various ways in which they can be identified.

The book also had a significant impact on the development of Western culture. It helped to solidify the notion that witches were a real and present threat to society and that they needed to be rooted out. This mentality contributed to the witch hunts and persecutions that took place in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Some have argued that the Malleus Maleficarum was not just a practical guide for judges and inquisitors, but also a reflection of the cultural and social attitudes of the time. Others have argued that the book was used as a tool to justify the persecution of women and other marginalized groups.