Gytha Ogg is often depicted as a strong, capable, and independent character, with a sharp sense of humor.
The character of Nanny Ogg is based on someone Pratchett knew in real life, "an old lady who liked a drink and a laugh, but...I suspect you could find someone like her on any street.
"[3] Discworld illustrator Paul Kidby expressed a similar view of the character, writing, "I like to think we all know someone like Nanny Ogg, a person who enjoys a drink and has led a happy and full life.
She shares this home with Greebo, a tomcat of evil aura and aroma and astonishing viciousness, whom she still sees as a sweet kitten.
[4] Another Nanny Ogg song is "A Wizard's Staff has a Knob on the End," a version of which has been written by Heather Wood, with music by Dave Greenslade.
"[5] In addition to being the matriarch of a large family, Nanny also fulfills a Mother role in the community; "she is a talented midwife, and takes a maternal attitude to the majority of people she meets".
[5] In Thief of Time, Nanny Ogg is acknowledged as the best midwife in the world, and has experience with non-human species like trolls.
While Nanny Ogg's bawdy sense of humor and sexually active past "would seem to contradict her association with the role of Mother", Nuttall points to this as evidence that Nanny "never truly fitted the role of Maiden" and that the character "represents female sexuality as powerful, natural, and something to be celebrated".
Throughout the series she demonstrates the ability to socialize with all kinds of people, which sometimes leaves Granny wondering 'if Gytha has some sort of special magic'.
In The Art of Discworld, Pratchett writes, "I've always suspected that Nanny is, deep down, the most powerful of the witches, and part of her charm lies in the way she prevents people from finding this out.
Neville is a thief and (prior to the events of Maskerade) stole all the lead from the roof of the Ankh-Morpork Opera House.
When Nanny Ogg and Granny Weatherwax visit Ankh-Morpork in Maskerade, they also seek lodging with Mrs. Palm, and are surprised to learn that this is a brothel rather than a boarding house.