The Wicked Witch – Villain, Scapegoat or Symbol?
Talk by Maria Østerby Elleby.
Esbjerg
The witch is one of the most iconic villains in fantasy — from evil stepmothers to hunched old hags and seductive sorceresses of the dark.
But why witches, specifically? And what does it say about our culture that we’ve feared (and loved) them for centuries?
Historian and author Maria Østerby Elleby explores the witch as a villain in both fantasy and real life.
With a focus on historical witch trials and modern witch narratives, she investigates how the witch has served as a symbol of fear, female power, and society’s boundaries.
A talk full of stories, analysis, and historical insight — for all who love fantasy, folklore, and a good dose of dark magic.
