Elphaba Thropp is shown to understand The Grimmerie, an artifact that plays a critical part in the story ofWicked. Adapted from the Broadway musical and the novel by Gregory Maguire,Wickedexplores the lives of Elphaba Thropp and Galinda Upland, before they became known as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good in the Land of Oz, respectively.Wickedhas becomeone of the highest-grossing movies of 2024, with a sequel scheduled for release in 2025.
The Grimmerie inWickedis revealed to be an ancient spellbook full of Ozian magic that very few can understand. Its full lore is established during the song “One Short Day” when Elphaba and Glinda arrive at the Emerald City. Upon being shown the spellbook by the Wizard and Madame Morrible, Elphaba can understand its mysterious language and casts magic spells;the Grimmerie serves as a pivotal aspect in her journey to becoming The Wicked Witch of the West inWicked.
She Is Part Human and Part Ozian
In the song “The Wizard And I,” Elphaba expresses her wish to travel to the Emerald City and meet the mysterious Wizard of Oz. Her wish is finally granted when she receives his invitation and she and Glinda travel to the Wizard’s palace. Upon arrival,Elphaba is shown the Grimmerie by the Wizard and Madame Morrible;after reading the Grimmerie’s strange language, she inadvertently casts a spell on the Wizard’s monkeys and gives them wings. This result surprises both the Wizard andMadame Morrible, neither of whom has been able to decipher the mysterious text in the ancient book.
In the original novel and the Broadway musical,it’s revealed that only those with natural magical powers are able to read and understand The Grimmerie.Those who are born in Oz, like Madame Morrible, and in the real world, like the Wizard, are not able to read it. In the musical,it’s revealed that Elphaba was born half-human and half-Ozian, making her “a child of both worlds” according to Madame Morrible. This gives viewers a justifiable reason why she can read The Grimmerie and cast magic throughoutWicked.
The Sequel Will See Elphaba Learn The Truth About Her Father
The ending ofWickedshows Elphaba taking The Grimmerie from the palace and flying away from the Emerald City. The Grimmerie will likely play an important aspect inWicked: For Goodand potentially see Elphaba cast more magic in her battle against the Wizard and Madame Morrible. As Elphaba learns more magic from the ancient spellbook in the sequel,it is also likely that she will learn the true reasons why she is able to understand its text later in the story.
Wicked’s Elphaba Reciting The Grimmerie Consists Of Multiple Real Languages Combined: “Wanted To Make Sure The Words We Were Saying Were Real”
Wicked star Cynthia Erivo explains how the pivotal scene where Elphaba reads from the Grimmerie makes use of multiple real-world languages.
At the beginning ofWicked, viewers are shownwhat happened to Elphaba’s motherand how her secret affair with a mysterious stranger, later revealed to be the Wizard, led to Elphaba’s birth. It’s also shown how the Wizard’s green elixir led toElphaba’s green skin inWickedand led to her being born half-human and half-Ozian as depicted in the musical. As the story continues in the upcomingWickedsequel, Elphaba will likely learn the truth about her father, understand why she can read the magical Grimmerie book, and accept her title as Wicked Witch of the West.
Wicked
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
