The verb ensorcell (meaning "to bewitch" or "to enchant") originated in the 1540s and comes from the Middle French word ensorceler, an alteration or dissimilation of the Old French ensorcerer.   It is the combination of the prefix -en, meaning "in" or "into" (or an intensive prefix meaning "to cause") and sorcier, the French word for "sorcerer" or "wizard", derived from the Medieval Latin sortiarius, and the ultimate Latin root meaning "lot," "fate," or "destiny".  

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the earliest known use of the verb ensorcell in English is from 1589 (by George Puttenham), though other etymological sources date general roots or early occurrences to the 1540s.  It remained rare in English until revived and popularized by writers like Sir Richard Burton in his 1885 translation of The Arabian Nights ("The Tale of the Ensorcelled Prince").  In modern usage it is primarily regarded as a literary, poetic, or archaic term seen mostly in fantasy fiction or period contexts.  

In storytelling, the concept of ensorcell—which means to enchant, fascinate, or place under a magical spell—serves as a powerful tool for shaping character arcs, driving plots, and controlling narrative pacing.  It bridges the gap between literal magic and psychological influence.  

Here is how the concept of ensorcellment impacts storytelling: 

Driving the Plot and Creating Stakes: Ensorcellment often serves as the central inciting incident or conflict in a story.  
The Inciting Incident: A character falls under a spell, forcing other characters to go on a quest to break it (e.g., Sleeping Beauty or The Odyssey).  
The ticking clock: Magical entrapment usually comes with conditions or a time limit, which naturally injects urgency and high stakes into the narrative.  

Mirroring Psychological Realities: Good storytellers use literal ensorcellment as a metaphor for real-world human experiences. It allows writers to explore complex emotional states safely: 
Obsession and Addiction: A character enchanted by a magical artifact (like Gollum and the One Ring in The Lord of the Rings) mirrors the destructive nature of real-world addiction and greed.  
Loss of Agency: It highlights the fear of losing control over one's own mind, choices, and destiny.  
Infatuation: Romantic or charismatic ensorcellment shows how easily judgment can be clouded by desire or manipulation.  

Creating Complex Character Dynamics: Ensorcellment alters how characters interact, introducing tension, betrayal, and tragic irony.  
The Masked Villain: A villain who uses charm or illusion to ensorcell a hero forces the audience to watch in suspense as the hero trusts the wrong person.  
Tested Loyalties: When a protagonist is enchanted to turn against their allies, it tests the strength and unconditional love of the supporting characters who must save them without hurting them.  

Establishing Atmosphere and "The Sublime": To ensorcell the characters within a story is often to ensorcell the reader as well.  
Sensory World-Building: Authors use rich, lyrical prose to describe enchanted forests, sirens' songs, or mesmerizing dreamscapes. This creates a sense of wonder, mystery, and danger.  
The Gothic and the Supernatural: In horror or dark fantasy, ensorcellment establishes an eerie atmosphere where the boundaries of reality are blurred, keeping the audience unsettled.