The following contains spoilers for Wicked: Part 1, now playing in theatersThe Grimmerie is one of the most important artifacts in Wicked: Part 1, and has a vital role to play in the overarching story of Elphaba. Adapted from the Broadway musical of the same name (which was in turn based off the novel by Gregory Maguire), Wicked tells the story of how the well-intentioned Elphaba becomes the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. A major aspect of her journey centers around the Grimmerie, a powerful spellbook that appears in all three versions of the story and factors heavily into secrets about Elphaba’s past, present, and future.

In Wicked: Part 1, the Grimmerie ends up being a crucial key to revealing which of Wicked‘s cast of characters are heroic and which are secretly villainous, setting up the central conflict that drives the rest of the story forward. If the Grimmerie in the film continues to be as important as the version from the musical, then it’s presence sets up a lot of important elements going into the next movie. Here’s how the Grimmerie factors into the ending of Wicked: Part 1, how it compares to other versions of the story, and how it teases Wicked: Part 2.

The Grimmerie’s History & Role In Wicked Explained

Wicked: Part 1 Reveals The Lore Surrounding The Gremmerie

The Grimmerie is a powerful magical artifact in Wicked, and plays a pivotal role in Elphaba’s evolution from a well-meaning young woman to the wrongfully reviled Wicked Witch. The Grimmerie is established as a powerful tome full of ancient spells, whose lore is established during the extended “Wizomania” section of the song “One Short Day.” The song plays as Elphaba and Glinda arrive in the Emerald City, with the new in-universe play revealing the full history of the book. The Grimmerie was created by The Magical Wise Ones who lived in Oz ages ago, long before the events of Wicked.

Before they passed away, the Wise Ones transcribed their magic into a book, which became the Grimmerie. However, their ancient language was lost over the years, making the magic inaccessible for generations. Even powerful sorcerers like Madame Morrible can only translate a few words. However, the Wise Ones also left a prophecy that someday a powerful magical figure would be able to naturally read from the Grimmerie and use its powers once more. The people of the Emerald City believe this was the Wizard, who bluffs his way into a position of power by claiming he can read the book.

Why Elphaba Can Read The Grimmerie

Elphaba’s True Origins Might Be Connected To Her Ability To Read The Grimmerie

It seems that the prophesied magical figure is actually Elphaba, whose raw magical potential drew the attention of Madame Morrible in the first place. Because of this natural power, Elphaba stands out from other mystical figures in the Land of Oz. While Glinda is eventually given a training wand, she shows no natural ability that can match Elphaba. Even a seasoned and trained figure like Madame Morrible seemingly pales in comparison to Elphaba, whose lack of control gives Morrible an opening to train and manipulate her into a tool for the plans that she and the Wizard have for Oz.

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It’s never made exactly clear where Elphaba’s magical potential stems from how she’s able to read the book naturally, which could be revealed in Wicked: Part 2. It potentially had something to do with the mysterious serum that Elphaba’s mother took from the stranger, which may have also been the reason for Elphaba’s green skin. Her magical potential could also be connected to the man who seduced her mother. Elphaba’s ability to read the Grimmerie makes her a vital figure in the world of Oz, as she seems to be one of the only people alive who can read the Grimmerie.

How Wicked Sets Up The Grimmerie’s Role In Wicked 2

Taking The Grimmerie Makes Elphaba Oz’s Number One Target

The Grimmerie ends up being an important aspect of Wicked: Part 1‘s ending, as Elphaba’s impulsive decision to take it away from the Wizard so she can try to reverse his actions on Oz sets up the climax of the film. Taking the book causes Morrible to proclaim Elphaba as an enemy of the state, cementing Oz’s views of Elphaba as a Wicked Witch. By taking the book with her, Elphaba has access to plenty of other powerful spells and enchantments. However, as she discovered when she accidentally cursed the monkeys with wings, the spells can have terrible unforeseen complications.

The Grimmerie will likely play a vital role in Wicked: Part 2, as efforts to reclaim it could become a driving factor in the story. Elphaba being the only one who can read the book may give the Wizard and Morrible’s forces pause from using lethal measures against her, at least at the beginning of the story. Elphaba’s efforts to learn more about the Grimmerie could also set up other dangerous spells to be cast, reflecting how the book is used in the musical to transform characters into new forms. The Grimmerie could become one of Wicked‘s most important elements.

How The Grimmerie In Wicked Compares To The Book & Musical

The Grimmerie Appears In All Three Versions Of Wicked

The Grimmerie is an important artifact in the original novel version of Wicked, as well as the Broadway musical that inspired the new film. In the original Wicked novel, the Wizard is actively searching for the Grimmerie, which was hidden away in the mystical realm by a mysterious warlock. The book ends up in the possession of Elphaba. Unlike the cinematic version of the Grimmerie, the version from the Wicked novels cannot be read by those of born in Oz, which means the human/Ozian hybrid Elphaba can decipher parts of it. The book remains important in all four novels.

The Wicked musical uses the Grimmerie in a similar manner to the way it’s portrayed in the film. Known as the Ancient Book of Thaumaturgy and Enchantments, the Grimmerie is a powerful magical book that only those with natural magic talent can read. In the musical, it’s eventually revealed that Elphaba’s status as a half-human and half-Ozian was used to justify how she could read the book, an element that will likely be revealed in the sequel All of this suggests that the Grimmerie will continue to be a crucial part of Wicked‘s story as it moves into part 2.

Source:Playbill

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.

Director

Jon M. Chu

Release Date

November 22, 2024

Writers

Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum

Cast

Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd

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