So in class we talked about how Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was influenced by the writings that we read this semester. In my paper I talked a lot about the parallel between Harry Potter and The Faerie Queene, but I want to talk about how it relates to Dr. Faustus.One of the first things we talked about was how Faustus and Voldemort are alike. Both come from poor backgrounds, yet they receive the top education that they can possibly get. The problem with both of them is that they want more than they can humanly obtain, and because of this they turn to evil sources. Faustus turns to the devil and sells his soul for 24 years of Metatophilis' service. Voldemort turns to dark magic in order to fulfill his desire for knowledge. They also both want power that they didn't earn. Although they do both learn an amazing amount, the way that they use their knowledge is not for the benefit of all. Voldemort uses his power to try and control other and in later books you find out he used his power to try and make himself immortal. Faustus also tries to make himself immortal with the selling of his soul. For the 24 years he has left, Faustus says that he does not believe in hell, yet towards the end he is terrified of actually going to hell.
Faustus also can parallel to Harry. Harry spends a lot of time in front of the Mirror of Erised wishing that his parents could come back. Faustus spends his 24 years not really doing anything, but thinking he is learning and doing what he desired. Both of them waste time trying to obtain what they desire. Dumbledore says, "men have wasted before it, entranced by what they have seen, or been driven mad, not knowing if what it shows is real or even possible" (page 213). Although I believe this is true, I feel as though there should be a disclaimer stating that I got this idea from the class discussion today.
Another thing that I found interesting today in class was the names of the characters. I have since looked up what the names mean. Then names of the characters really do fit their personalities and I think that J.K. Rowling did an excellent job of naming her characters. Professor McGonagall's name is the same as the Roman goddess of wisdom because her character is a teacher and is so wise. Voldemort is a combination of the French words Vol de mort which means "theft of death", which is appropriate because throughout the entire series he is looking for a way to become immortal. And then with Draco Malfoy, it parallels to The Faerie Queene in that his first name is like 'dragon' and and Malfoy is like one of the 'foy' brothers. I think that J.K. Rowling must have done a lot of research in order to come up with such remarkably meaningful names for her characters.
I really enjoy the Harry Potter series and think that everyone should read them. They are good books and actually really seem to parallel to a lot of the early modern English works that we read in class this semester.
1 comment:
I wrote about this some in my paper and something that I noticed is that one of the underlying themes in Harry Potter is the danger that can come from desire. There are examples throughout of how foolish excessive desires are. In the beginning of the book Dudley’s cries for multiple television sets and upwards of forty presents for his birthday are presented as completely ludicrous. The culmination of irrational desire, however, is illustrated by Voldemort’s aspiration to prolong his life past natural human existence, a yearning condemned as well in works from the Renaissance. Dr. Faustus has a craving for more and more knowledge that ends up corrupting him. He exclaims, “Ay, these are those that Faustus most desires… All things that move between the poles shall be at my command… A sound magician is a mighty god (sc.1, 52-62).” Dr. Faustus has mastered every one of the great subjects; the text specifically mentions Law, Medicine, and Theology. However, he still remains unsatisfied with himself. He calls on Mephistopheles, expecting to gain great power. Faustus makes a pact with Lucifer, and blinded by his all his desires believes that his damnation will never occur.
It is interesting how much all texts are influenced from one's that come before them. I've noticed this much more this year from John Milton invoking muses like ancient authors and J.K. Rowling drawing parallels with texts we have studied in our class.
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