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Wizard:

Magician, Sorcerer, male witch, person who affects

seeming impossibilities.

(Oxford Illustrated English Dictionary).

(1) One who professes to practice magic, a magician or sorcerer.

(2) A conjurer or Juggler.

(3) A person of amazing skill or accomplishment.

(Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary).

Important figures in fantasy fiction, wizards are all these and more.
They usually appear as wise, powerful assistants to the story's
hero, or as frightening Enemies.
Here is a partial list of wizards from fantasy literature, films
and other media, which I would like to divide into several sections:

1) The wizard sage

He is old and impressive, usually with a long white beard and a pointy hat. he knows

more than he says.

Most of the times he's not really a normal human being at all.

He doesn't always lead but usually determines what the party or hero will do,

his knowledge and power tip the scale to the good guys' side although he never

can do it all alone for some reason, or take the credit.

Merlin - the aged and wise adviser to king Arthur.

Gandalf - who leads 13 dwarves and a hobbit to a treasure hunt,

but is also one of the important leaders of the War Of the Ring.

Elminster - the ageless sage from Shadowdale, always helping the causes of good.

Fizban (or Zifnab) - crazy wizard/god from two of the most creative Weis and Hickman's worlds.

Belgarath - The Ancient, leader of the disciples of Aldur and thief and story teller

in his spare time.

2)The Adventuring Wizard

Usually starting the story young , he is driven by power or

destiny to seek his fortunes through his arcane knowledge.

Raisltin - the young but powerful Master of Past and Present.

Sparrowhawk - also known as Ged, Wizard of Earthsea and master of Many names.

Elric - Last sorcerer emperor of Melnibone - the homeland of dragons.

3)Lady Wizards

Referred to as witches, fairy god mothers, enchantresses etc. lady wizards usually have

a very clear inclination towards good or evil and have very specific roles in the story

line.

The evil witch - You name it - Sleeping Beauty, Snow white and other childhood

stories - we all know them.

Fairy god mother - Same here.

Wicked witches of the east and west - Dorothy's most problematic encounters on the way to the Wizard.

Fin Raziel - Willow's companion whose magical abilities unfold and are used only at the

very end.

Queen Bavmorda - The formers life long enemy and the cause for all evil in the realm.

The White Witch - The children had to use the wardrobe to stop her from killing the

Lion.

Polgara - Not your average woman wizard but more of a woman with a typical male

wizard's responsibilities and some only a woman could take.

4) Others

strange wizards can be encountered around the world - fake wizards, modern wizards

and wizards per se.

The Wizard of Oz - a mysterious type, the search for whom has filled our childhood

with anticipation and delight.

The four brother-wizards from the great "Flight Of Dragons" film.

Emperor Palpatine - look at the Empire's leader and see a classical Evil Wizard.

Pug - A Magician, Great One, Wizard of two worlds, sorcerer ? He is all and more.

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