The figure of the witch in the fairy tale – case study: Vasilisa the Wise

摘要

The diploma thesis entitled The figure of the witch in the fairy tale - Case Study: Vasilisa the Wise is composed of three parts. In the first, theoretical part, based on the information of available professional and scientific literature, we introduce some definitions of the term witch, demonstrate the development of the witchcraft concept throughout the history and focus on stereotypical images which over the centuries and influenced by social, political, and especially religious-philosophical reasons led to a negative comprehension of witches and witchcraft.udIn the second, empirical part, we encapsulate the ideas that emerged during the existence of and belief in witches. We introduce the character of Magna Mater, the Great Mother, who with her ambivalent character influenced the later female deities, namely, the ancient goddess Hekata, German deity Percht, Slavic deity Pehtra and Russian Baba Yaga. Based on the analysis of the fairy tale origin we situate the figure of the witch in the polygenetic theory and within the latter present the character of Baba Yaga.udBy summarizing the analysis of Jungian psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkole Estés on a case study of folk fairy tale Vasilisa the Wise, which is written in the book Women who run with the wolves, we introduce the characters of Vasilisa and Baba Yaga and describe nine tasks of initiation, as interpreted by the said author.udIn the final part we analytically evaluate the folk fairy tale Vasilisa the Wise and situate both main fairy characters – Vasilisa and Baba Yaga – into the contemporary time and space.ud