MAGIC AND WITCHCRAFT IN TERRY PRATCHETT’S DISCWORLD’S THE WITCHES NOVELS // MAGIA E BRUXARIA NOS ROMANCES DE BRUXAS DA SÉRIE “DISCWORLD”, DE TERRY PRATCHETT

Resumo

RECEBIDO EM 01 MAR 2016
APROVADO EM 27 MAR 2016

‘This is a story about magic and where it goes and perhaps more importantly where it comes from and why, although it doesn’t pretend to answer all or any of these questions’ (PRATCHETT, 1987, p.11).Much beloved by audiences around the world Terry Pratchett is the creator of one of the most internationally acclaimed fantasy realms, the Discworld, ‘a sight to be seen on no other world’ (PRATCHETT, 1986, p. 7). Carried through space on the backs of four elephants, which in turn stand on the shell of the Sky Turtle Great A’Tuin, the Discworld is inhabited by all sorts of magical creatures; it is also the only known world where the colour octarine might be seen (if one is a wizard or a cat) and the site of the twin-city Ankh-Morpork, acknowledged for its pride and pestilence.In this study, I aim to explore what forms of magic are described on Pratchett’s world, how they work, and seeing as “Discworld runs on magic” (PRATCHETT; STEWART; COHEN, 2002, p.28) how magic is connected to its very existence. Special attention will be given to female magic, namely that of the Lancre Coven, which includes Magrat Garlick, Nanny Ogg, the late Granny Weatherwax as well as Agnes Nitt, and the Chalk witch Tiffany Aching, the “hag of the hill” and protagonist of Pratchett’s last novel.

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“This is a story about magic and where it goes and perhaps more importantly where it comes from and why, although it doesn’t pretend to answer all or any of these questions.” (PRATCHETT, 1987, p.11). Amado por leitores pelo mundo inteiro, Terry Pratchett é o criador de um dos mais aclamados reinos fantásticos, o Discworld, “a sight to be seen on no other world” (PRATCHETT, 1986, p. 7). Carregado através do espaço nas costas de quatro elefantes, os quais por sua vez estão em cima da carapaça da Grande Tartaruga A’Tuin, o Discworld é habitado por todos os tipos de criaturas mágicas; é o único mundo onde a cor octarina pode ser vista (por feiticeiros e gatos) e o local da cidade-gémea Ankh-Morpork, conhecida pelo seu orgulho e pestilência.O propósito deste estudo é explorar as formas de magia existentes no mundo de Pratchett, de que modo a magia funciona e, tendo em conta que o “Discworld runs on magic” (PRATCHETT; STEWART; COHEN, 2002, p.28), como esta está ligada à sua existência. Irá ser dada particular atenção à magia praticada por mulheres, nomeadamente à irmandade das bruxas de Lancre, composta por Magrat Garlick, Nanny Ogg, a falecida Granny Weatherwax assim como Agnes Nitt, e à bruxa do Chalk Tiffany Aching, “hag of the hill” (bruxa da montanha) e protagonista do último livro do autor.

DOI: 10.12957/abusoes.2016.25722