Three aspects of the witch archetype in Ion Creangă’s epic imaginary
Article:
About the Author:
Maria DINU 
dr.
Institutul de Filologie „Bogdan Petriceicu-Hasdeu” al USM
E-mail: maria.dinu85[@]yahoo.com
Abstract: Essential in Ion Creangă’s narrative imaginary, either as a character beneficial to the evolution of the protagonist, or as an obstacle, the witch initially detaches herself from the world of the Humulesti village in the maternal pose, so that later, in her fairy tale, Creangă’s grace merges the myth of Circe, of Artemis and Hecate. Under the guise of Saint Sunday, the witch embodies wisdom, kindness and generosity, like her younger avatar, the daughter of the Red Emperor, “the devilish little girl”, in whom we find the insight of her mother, Smaranda, but also the freshness and guidance of Smărandita, father Ioan’s daughter.
Keywords: Ion Creanga, narrative imaginary, archetype of the witch, fairy tale, childhood,