During the Middle Ages in Europe, it was the apex of Christianity, especially Catholicism, and people's lives were dominated by it. This is the reason why many people who were considered Pagans were put under penance, as they believed that nature was sacred and lived in accordance with its cycles. Catholics considered Pagans to be witches, especially the elderly women, who were considered wise in Pagan culture. Women's knowledge was repressed and condemned by the Inquisition. As mentioned previously, the Catholic Church was influential during that time period, especially after the publication of the book "Malleus Maleficarum" in 1496, which was written by the clergymen Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger. This book served as a witch-hunting guide that aided the Inquisition. This historic sequence of events is reflected in Western traditions and folklore, as well as in fiction, where witches are associated with evil and villainy.
One of the earliest stories involving witches is the well-known Shakespearean play Macbeth (1606), in which the 'Three Witches,' who are the antagonists, lead Macbeth to his destiny. They bear a resemblance to the three Fates in Greek Mythology, who determined the length of a mortal's life, the amount of suffering they would endure, and the span of their lifetime. Since then, witches have been widely recognized in society due to the following features: broomsticks, animal sidekicks (often black cats), association with nature and the earth, a female heritage passed down from mothers to daughters, and the concept of triads. They typically wear black dresses and pointed hats, often finding themselves as outsiders by choice or against their will. These witches are often depicted as unconventionally attractive, powerful, unmarried, and possessing an inherently evil vanity and disdain towards children. These classical witches can be divided into three tropes.
'Cute Witch,' also known as the 'Magical Girl,' who uses magic for good and practical purposes, usually inheriting her power from her foremothers, as seen in animations and kids' cartoons.
'Hot Witch,' a grown-up (yet still young) version of the Cute Witch, who doesn't lose her power. She is illustrated as beautiful and charming, able to use her magic to enhance her beauty and her overwhelming sexuality to manipulate men.
'Wicked Witch,' who conforms to many of the conventions mentioned previously. She is often portrayed in fairy tales, Disney adaptations like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (multiple directors, 1937), and classics like The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming, 1939)
However, their representation has evolved over the years, especially in response to socio-cultural events such as the women's sexual liberation movement. In the early 1940s, the romantic comedy I Married a Witch (René Clair, 1942) was released, featuring a witch as the protagonist. This film paved the way for more opportunities in the entertainment industry for stories with witches in leading roles, as seen in subsequent productions like the film Bell, Book, and Candle (Richard Quine, 1958) and the sitcom Bewitched(1964-1972). These works normalized and portrayed witches as benevolent beings who concealed their powers due to society's judgment. On the other hand, there were productions that continued to depict witches with their traditional negative traits, sometimes incorporating revenge plots. This was particularly evident in horror films like Black Sunday (Mario Bava, 1960).
In this way, this fascinating and iconic figure has long illustrated society's complex attitude towards female empowerment. Witches are often portrayed as the antagonists of helpless, submissive women. They represent the fear of certain behaviours in women who defy traditional expectations of their gender. However, this portrayal perpetuates female rivalry, and the prejudice against witches still resonates even today.
In the English language, 'witch' is often used as an insult, whereas 'wizard' is considered a compliment. Additionally, the term 'witch hunt' is employed by individuals who claim they are unfairly persecuted by women whom they have previously oppressed and marginalized. This usage reflects the fear among certain hegemonic groups that their power may no longer suffice. However, the word has been resignified with a powerful undertone.
In the stories we encounter during our youth, the maternal figure frequently meets an early demise but is still described as beautiful. Meanwhile, the older women who persist in the narrative are often depicted as evil, overweight witches. This perpetuates the societal beauty standard associated with youth and thinness. This pattern manifests in society through the increasing prevalence of aesthetic procedures, plastic surgery, and the phenomenon of 'greyphobia' that we have witnessed in recent times.
Most of the development mentioned in the representation of witches in Western culture is centred around white experiences, while the witchcraft of non-white societies and intersectionality stories continue to be significantly misrepresented. Negative connotations persist, and it is often portrayed as a secondary or entirely omitted element in most media. This disparity is reflected in reality through religions or spiritual practices like Candomblé and Umbanda, which are wrongly labelled as witchcraft by prejudiced individuals and conservative news outlets due to their African roots.
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