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Witches

Danny Kaiser, Sam Baskin, and Adam Jiang present…. Witches. What are witches?. Three main types: 15 th century witch hunt witches Salem Witch Trials, mass hysteria, accusations of black magic, witch burnings, perversion of paganism. Classical pop-culture, green-skin/pointy hat witches

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Witches

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  1. Danny Kaiser, Sam Baskin, and Adam Jiang present… Witches

  2. What are witches? • Three main types: • 15th century witch hunt witches • Salem Witch Trials, mass hysteria, accusations of black magic, witch burnings, perversion of paganism. • Classical pop-culture, green-skin/pointy hat witches • Wizard of Oz, Disney witches, Brothers Grimm, Halloween costume. • Contemporary female role-model witches • Hermione from Harry Potter, Sabrina the Teen Witch.

  3. In-depth example • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis • Chronicles of Narnia may have been written as an allegory to the Bible • Tip-offs: Magic, turning people to stone, mystical pagan-esque forest, Christian stone table (cross), Messiah, Messiah’s sacrifice. • It makes use of deeply ingrained cultural stigmas about witches and the contracts with the Devil to demonize the White Witch – drawing very clear parallels to the White Witch and the fallen angel. • In order to fully establish Aslan and his followers, who represent religion, as good, Lewis portrays their antagonist as the oldest enemy of religion: a witch. • The evil witch serves as the temptress to get man to commit sin (Edmund betraying his family), for which the Messiah must sacrifice his life to redeem.

  4. Witches everywhere! • Children’s movies and stories – Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Wizard of Oz, Hansel and Gretel (Brothers Grimm), • Beliefs – black cat = bad luck, Halloween • Literature – Macbeth, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, The Crucible, Harry Potter • Music – Black Magic Woman by Santana, Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra • Popular Culture – Monty Python, Sabrina The Teen Witch, Charmed, Wicked • Videos of famous witches: Monty Python, Wizard of Oz, Witchcraft by Frank Sinatra

  5. Significance • Throughout the ages, the idea of witchcraft has had many purposes. Historically, witchcraft has been used to explain natural phenomena, such as eclipses. • Beginning the Late Middle Ages (about 1450) until nearly 1800, many thousands of people were persecuted and killed as witches. This really was a Christian perversion of pagan beliefs as well as a method of reinforcing gender roles and an excuse for an inquisition to flush out the church.

  6. Significance, cont. • The green skin and the pointy hat that we know today really is a product of popular culture such as the Wizard of Oz. It is a way for making witches seem less real while still providing an explanation for the supernatural. • Today, a new witch archetype is beginning to emerge that celebrates feminine power and mystique. • Stories about witches will continue to be remembered and told because they help explain supernatural events and still instill strong emotions of curiosity and fear.

  7. Tip-offs • Pointy hats • Green skin • Warts • Toads • Woman (usually old/ a crone) • “Strange” rituals • Hooked nose • Black cat • Bats • Broomsticks • Magic/Sorcery • Witch’s brew/Cauldron • Evil intentions • Spirits/Ghosts • Cackle • Dark hair • Black clothing • Pagan symbols (forests, animals)

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