Witches are featured in many popular television series, films, and books, such as True Blood, Harry Potter, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. These witches have magical powers that allow them to manipulate the world around them. which can be used for good or evil. The fact that these powers are used for evil is what is truly frightening. For example, many wizards and witches in Harry Potter are Death Eaters of Voldemort and use their powers for evil by killing people and causing chaos within society. This is why people fear witches, even though they are good, they still have the potential to commit evil and life-destroying acts. Their powers can be used for the greatest evils. Witches and witchcraft began long before the days of our modern media. For centuries, women (and even some men) have been accused of being witches. From the early Romans to the Salem witch trials to modern voodoo, the idea of ​​witchcraft has existed. However, witchcraft probably does not exist and is just a part of the imagination. Even according to Asma, the author of On Monsters, “witches were the most imaginary monsters” (197). People invented witches to explain situations that could not be explained. People want explanations for what's happening in the world and when they can't receive answers, they make things up to get answers, even if ultimately those answers aren't true. People feel somewhat satisfied, even though the answer may not be accurate. Ancient Greek mythology is a good example. All the myths written during the time of the ancient Greeks were used to explain why certain things happened because the science of the time was not advanced enough to explain them. Witches also for...... middle of paper ......characters are called witches and remain the same. They have powers that are inexplicable by any form of science or technology. They are now seen in a more positive light, as many people now desire powers like this and dream that they are magical. They are not terrified by the thought of witches because they understand that they can be good. Works Cited Asma, Stephen T. On Monsters: An Unnatural Story of Our Worst Fears. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2009. “Salem Witch Trials” print. Conspiracy Theories in American History. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2003. Reference Credo. Internet. February 14, 2012. Winkler, Peter. “National Geographic: Salem Witch Hunt – Interactive.” » National Geographic - Inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888. Web. February 15, 2012. Yanak, Ted and Pam Cornelsion. The seeker of information on the great American history. Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Print.