Religion og Film: Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) og Agatha Harkness i WandaVision (2021). En utforskning av den moderne heksen i populærkulturen.

Abstract

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often draw their inspiration from mythological and religious stereotypes, based on the characters from Marvel Comics. In recent years we have seen an increase in magical superheroes in the MCU, and the characters in the miniseries WandaVision (2021) is no exception. In this thesis I am analyzing the witches Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) and Agatha Harkness, to see how the witches are portrayed in WandaVision. I explore the witch-stereotype through history in popular culture, in relation to the historical witch, and the neopagan witch-movement Wicca. I also look at the portrayal of witches in modern movies in a selection of films: The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Crucible (1996) and both the 1990- and the 2020-versions of The Witches. To get further context to the inspiration of, and evolvement of the characters, I have also explored Wanda and Agatha as they are portrayed in the earlier comics. My aim is to understand how the witch-stereotype in popular culture has evolved. What witch-stereotypes do we encounter in WandaVision, and what does this say about the witches in popular culture, today?

Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) often draw their inspiration from mythological and religious stereotypes, based on the characters from Marvel Comics. In recent years we have seen an increase in magical superheroes in the MCU, and the characters in the miniseries WandaVision (2021) is no exception. In this thesis I am analyzing the witches Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) and Agatha Harkness, to see how the witches are portrayed in WandaVision. I explore the witch-stereotype through history in popular culture, in relation to the historical witch, and the neopagan witch-movement Wicca. I also look at the portrayal of witches in modern movies in a selection of films: The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Crucible (1996) and both the 1990- and the 2020-versions of The Witches. To get further context to the inspiration of, and evolvement of the characters, I have also explored Wanda and Agatha as they are portrayed in the earlier comics. My aim is to understand how the witch-stereotype in popular culture has evolved. What witch-stereotypes do we encounter in WandaVision, and what does this say about the witches in popular culture, today?