Wicked's 10 Best Quotes

Prior to winning the award for best cinematic musical of the year, Wicked was a Broadway production that captivated audiences worldwide with its catchy lyrics and catchphrases. This is due to a variety of factors beyond beautiful set pieces and appealing melodies. Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. More precisely, it tells the story of how she became the Wicked Witch and how things are not always what they appear.

Numerous intricate topics are covered in Wicked, such as prejudice, complacency, and misinformation. It's also about accepting others' differences, and the heart of this stunning musical version is the lovely friendship between Ariana Grande's Glinda and Cynthia Ervio's Elphaba. While there are many famous quotations from Wicked to cite, a few—some from the movie's most well-known songs—stand out as the most significant and aptly convey the narrative.

As Someone Told Me Lately, Everyone Deserves The Chance to Fly

"Defying Gravity" is among the best songs in Wicked, and a lot of it relates to the morals of the narrative. One such lesson is that no one should be shunned because of their appearance. Elphaba is even told by the Wizard that "everyone deserves a chance to fly," even though he does not mean it. Because the animals are distinct from humans, he wishes to create a common adversary that the people of Oz can fight together.

However, Elphaba does think that everyone deserves an equal opportunity in life and that no one should be treated worse because of their birth circumstances. Because of her green complexion, she has endured terrible treatment for the majority of her life. "Defying Gravity" is the most potent, rebellious scene in Wicked, as Elphaba declares that she will fly in spite of everyone's attempts to prevent her from doing so.

Are People Born Wicked, or Do They Have Wickedness Thrust Upon Them?

Following Dorothy's departure and the melting of the Wicked Witch, spectators are immediately transported to Munchkinland at the start of Wicked. As they commemorate the passing of her former closest friend, Glinda joins in the festivities. Although she maintains a positive façade, Glinda is not as happy as the Ozark residents, who are commemorating Elphaba's passing as if it were a festival. Glinda does not believe that this mindless hatred will be helpful, in contrast to the Wizard.

Glinda poses the crucial query, "Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?" without intending to ruin the festivities. Glinda can at least persuade people to think about the events that led Elphaba to become the Wicked Witch, even though it is unlikely that she will be able to completely alter people's opinions. This is also the main idea of Wicked, which aims to offer a different aspect of this story by revisiting the events that precede The Wizard of Oz.

I can't change some things, but I won't know until I try.

Elphaba is aware that her chances are slim when she publicly challenges the Wizard. Although the Wizard himself has been making a lot of effort to turn the human population against the animals of Oz, she still wants to change their lot in life. In "Defying Gravity," Glinda herself attempts to talk Elphaba out of it since she is worried for her friend. The majority of the populace supports the Wizard of Oz, and it has access to a wealth of resources, such as Madame Morrible and other spellcasters.

Elphaba will not be contented in spite of everything. She refuses to give up. In the end, if she doesn't even try, she won't realize that she can't change anything. Instead of sitting back and enjoying the good life while others suffer because of their differences, Elphaba would rather take a chance on the possibility that she could improve Oz.

It's Not About Aptitude, It's the Way You're Viewed, So It's Very Shrewd to Be Very, Very Popular Like Me.

After they become friends, Glinda determines that giving Elphaba a makeover is the greatest way to express her concern for her. Glinda wants Elphaba to have this experience because she has always believed that being famous is the most essential thing one can accomplish. But for Glinda, being popular means dressing the part, and appearances are more significant than the content, particularly if the content raises issues that could jeopardize the status quo.

This song highlights the wider problems in Oz and the fact that Glinda and Elphaba genuinely cannot agree, even if Glinda firmly believes that fame is the secret to prosperity. In Oz, a lot of individuals fall for Emerald City's wealth and glamour without seeing behind its dazzling exterior. They avoid asking difficult questions, and when they do, it doesn't work out well for them, like it did with Elphaba. Glinda still thinks she can work with the Wizard to improve things, whereas Elphaba is unable to see past the reality.

I Happen To Be Genuinely Self-Absorbed And Deeply Shallow.

Fiyero and Elphaba argue about why he is assisting her after he saves the lion baby. She even claims that he actually cares, proving that his alleged shallowness and self-centeredness are a front. Elphaba, after all, is well-versed in maintaining a façade to conceal her own emotions from the public. Fiyero, who claims to be "genuinely self-absorbed and deeply shallow," is unwilling to give up the act.

This phrase, which is among the funniest in the 2024 movie and stage musical, is also incredibly sardonic and demonstrates that Fiyero is not as shallow and self-centered as he seems. His actions, particularly after he goes against expectations to preserve the lion and assist Elphaba, speak for themselves. It's also evident that Fiyero won't tolerate anyone hunting Elphaba when he departs from Shiz in Wicked's conclusion.

She Doesn't Give a Twig What Anyone Thinks." "Of Course She Does. She Just Pretends Not To.

Elphaba is persuaded to accompany them and don a hat that Glinda knows will make her seem foolish before the dance in the Ozdust Ballroom. However, after Elphaba puts her into Madame Morrible's (Michelle Yeoh) class, Glinda knows she's gone too far. Although Elphaba is the night's laughing stock and the prank goes as planned, she pretends it doesn't affect her.

Fiyero actually gets into her act, thinking Elphaba is above all of this, while the majority of the pupils still make fun of her. But at last, Glinda understands that Elphaba has been hurting her with her antics and that all of the jokes and laughter have reached her. Not only is this a pivotal moment for Glinda, but it's also one of the rare times viewers get to glimpse Elphaba's more vulnerable side. Even though she puts up a brave front, it's difficult to ignore the suffering she is currently experiencing.

We're Just Two Friends." "Two Good Friends." "Two Best Friends

Elphaba invites Glinda to accompany her, even though she is the only one invited to meet the Wizard. Elphaba has been pursuing this goal since enrolling at Shiz University, therefore it is a genuine expression of friendship for her to share this moment with Glinda. Their bond has been strengthening ever since the Ozdust Ballroom incident, which has brought them to this point. Elphaba and Glinda face the Wizard following their day together in the Emerald City.

Glinda, who has always had many friends, knows that Elphaba is much more than simply another follower of hers, even if it still hit Elphaba back in the Ozdust Ballroom that Glinda was the first to really see her for herself. Since Elphaba is her best friend, she wants to support her no matter what. This adds to the sadness of Wicked's conclusion when Glinda rejects Elphaba's invitation to go during "Defying Gravity."

I Don't Cause Commotions. I Am One. Some of Us Are Just Different.

Following the capture of Dr. Dillamond and the inhumane exhibition of a lion cub by a dishonest professor for his class, Elphaba uses her abilities to render everyone unconscious except for Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey). They all work together to release the cub from captivity. Fiyero is prepared to assist in saving the lion, but he wonders why Elphaba makes such a fuss so frequently. Elphaba makes it apparent here that she is not creating trouble. Because of her obvious uniqueness, she is viewed as a problem in Oz.

Elphaba has been viewed as unusual and hence evil since her birth. Many people in Oz view her lack of belonging as hazardous. Although it is a depressing fact, she must accept it. However, Fiyero never had to accept this until he became closer to Elphaba and realized that Oz is not as great as it seems, particularly for its residents who are different, whether they want to be or are not.

The Best Way to Bring Folks Together Is To Give Them A Real Good Enemy.

The Wizard of Oz must use different strategies to maintain the support of the Ozark people because he lacks actual power. He does this, for example, by creating a compelling but untrue story about Oz's animals. He begins modestly, holding everyone accountable for the difficulties and dangers depicted on the Land of Oz map. Furthermore, animals who disagree with him or express their opinions are either silenced or imprisoned, as is the case with Dr. Dillamond (Peter Dinklage).

This, according to the Wizard of Oz, is done to provide the Oz people with a common enemy. By spreading lies and propaganda, the Wizard feeds the populace's concerns rather than attempting to unite them via progress and hope. Even if Elphaba is against it, he gets exactly what he wants when she rebels against the Wizard of Oz: "a real good enemy."

You Have No Real Power.

For most of Wicked, Elphaba's top priority is to meet and collaborate with Jeff Goldblum's character, the Wizard of Oz. She even asks the Wizard to change her green skin at that point, but by the time she meets him, she has come to accept her skin tone. Elphaba is given the chance to be with him and the life she has always desired. But after discovering his actual intentions for the creatures of Oz, Elphaba comes to the conclusion that the Wizard is more than just a phony; without her, he is helpless.

The Wizard of Oz needs someone with genuine magical powers, like Elphaba, because his masquerade can only last so long. Her superiority to him is demonstrated by his frantic attempt to win her over. Additionally, it emphasizes his lack of actual authority and his reliance on misinformation, false promises, and scare tactics—all of which Elphaba will not tolerate.