Witchcraft Throughout the Ages

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how witchcraft folklore dates from the middle ages all the way up to this present day. It looks at how documented accounts reveal the conversion of the common woman, who was often a doctor, midwife or village consultant, into the persecuted evil spell casting witch, then to our modern popular witch of the 22nd century. It evaluates how, due to the incredible influence television and literary works have on our culture, society has come to view witches as more than the typical haggard and sinister old women with rotten teeth and warty chins. It shows how through review of the films "Practical Magic," "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Craft," the TV emissions "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Charmed" and Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth," the function of witchcraft has gradually conformed to provide women with a sense of power and prerogative.

From the Paper:

"The landmark film, "The Wizard of Oz" often terrifies young children with the presence of the Wicked Witch of the West. She is the traditional representation for all evil witches, and come Halloween, her image is the most costumed by children. Although rarely, we can also see other little trick or treaters dressed up as princesses and more joyful subjects. This counterbalance can be seen with the witch Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, used to offset her evil rival. Therefore, this film exposes the concept of good witch vs. bad witch, where the beautiful angelic one will always counterbalance a dark villainous hag. Good vs. evil comes hand in hand with pretty vs. ugly, which ultimately labels women with stereotypes built upon their appearances."

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