# The Witch explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Witch who claims to have the power to avert the anger of the gods through secret charms profits greatly from her trade. However, she is accused of black magic and brought before the judges, who condemn her to death. As she leaves the dock, a judge points out the irony that she cannot avert the enmity of men despite her claimed power over the gods.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Deception

The Witch deceives others by claiming to have secret powers to avert divine anger, yet her own cunning fails to protect her from human judgment.

### Justice and Consequence

The Witch faces the consequences of her actions as she is judged and condemned, highlighting the theme of justice and the irony of her inability to escape human enmity.

## Character check-ins

### The Old Man

The Witch is the central figure, though not explicitly named in the canonical list; the judge is the only named human character.

## Key lines

> You say you can avert the anger of the gods. How comes it, then, that you have failed to disarm the enmity of men?

If you truly have the power to calm the gods' wrath, why couldn't you avoid the hostility of people?

_The judge's rhetorical question underscores the irony and hypocrisy of the Witch's claimed powers._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-witch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters