Week 5: Witches

 
Witches have increasingly become a popular subject in media, especially being portrayed in a positive light. Typically, they focus on women and therefore explore the many archetypes that us ladies are condensed to, whether being femme fatale or the young naive maiden. Though, considering the many archetypes that have evolved over time, they have stemmed from just simply being stereotypes.
   The idea of witches usually creates a matriarchal system within a narrative, which may result in a positive or negative outlook. In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, witches are portrayed in both a positive and negative light, the Wicked Witch of the West is portrayed as vile and cruel whereas Glinda is seen as beautiful and a shrine of goodness. In the classic 1960's television show, Bewitched, Samantha is by far the most likeable character, along with Endora and fellow witches. Though, it could be argued, that Bewitched can be seen as a way of domesticating women, considering Samantha is trying to conform to Darrin's human world, yet she still has her rebellious streaks. It is the 60's though, so it's not surprising. As we approach the modern day, our idea of women with power begins to shift into the positive light. For example, in Kiki's Delivery Service, the women in power are glorified rather than looked down on, they're respected and admired.