Voldemort, the primary villain and face of evil in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, has been called many things. Born under the name Tom Marvolo Riddle, he became known as Voldemort, and was referred to as The Dark Lord. As if that wasn’t evil enough, wizards fear him to the point that they won’t even dare speak his name, referring to him only as You-Know-Who and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. It’s easy to see how many people (even muggles) could view Voldemort as a monster. From the way he acts to the way he looks, Voldemort’s characteristics leave few questioning the extent of his evil.
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is one of the most well-known fictional villains of the 21st century. Everyone who has ever read the Harry Potter series has a deep impression of Voldemort, who is extremely tall with a skeletal structure. His presence alone can send chills through humans and wizards alike. The dark lord always wears a black cloak and slithers around like a snake. His head has no hair and he has pale white skin and slits for nostrils. When you look at his face, it shows how truly wicked and cruel he is. Voldemort’s face is like that of a snake. His eyes are a window to his soul, scarlet in color and merciless in nature. When he speaks, the voice sounds hoarse and commands attention without even being loud. His looks, as well as his heart, make him a monster. When he was Tom Marvolo Riddle he was a smart and good-looking young man. However, as he grows up, his desire do too. Tom was in hot pursuit of his own ideal pure-blood Wizarding World. As a result, he was addicted to using dark arts in order to conquer the Wizarding World. During this process, with an inflated ambition, Voldemort turned himself into a monster.
With names such as The Dark Lord, You -Know-Who, and He Who Must Not Be Named, it’s obvious that Tom Riddle has changed a great deal since leaving Hogwarts. During the years after his goodbye, Lord Voldemort became known as such a gruesome figure to people that many were too frightened to even speak his name. It was treated almost as if the name “Voldemort” had evolved into a striking new curse word. Many people believed it was actually dangerous to say his name aloud. While violently attempting to conquer both Wizards and Muggles, Harry Potter’s arch nemesis, had blatantly become feared by all. (Harry's battle with Voldemort can be seen here) So what exactly makes Lord Voldemort so monstrous to everyone?
Not only the outlook of Voldemort makes him a monster, but also the fact that he tries to kill Harry Potter, who is the most good-natured character in the Harry Potter series, makes him more like a monster and/or an evil. In my understanding, anything that is related to snakes is not a good meaning in lots of cultures including American culture. Voldemort's ability to talk to the snakes makes readers or audiences of the Harry Potter series view Voldemort bad at first hand. Moreover, the fact that Voldemort turned the displeasing ability over to Harry Potter by accident, making Harry Potter partially similar with him, makes the Harry Potter enthusiasts mad.
Everything about Voldemort is evil; everything he does, how he looks, what he represents is against everything that Harry, Dumbledore, and good stand for. But not everything about him is so cut and clear. Which makes Voldemort more of a monster, his appearance or his actions? Could Harry have grown up to become a truly 100% good-natured wizard without his struggle with Voldemort? Would Voldemort have seemed any less evil without being deformed from his original appearance as Tom Riddle? Many questions surround this monster and the effects he had on his environment. What do you think?
Anything can be judged as a monster as these particular are not the same kind of species in the surrounding area. However, when people see some particular species frequently and know more about them by doing observation and researches, they would consider those animals are not "monsters" anymore. The main reason that people would name some animals as monsters is that people are not willing to know about them due to fear. If we people acknowledge these animals' regular habits and their avoidance, no one will get hurt.
ReplyDeleteVoldemolt, a evil monster in the "Harry Potter", who is the scariest person the book. Perhaps his appearance and behavior are abnormal that may lead people to be afraid of him. Whereas, when we discover his weakness, people would no longer to see him as the monster anymore.
By the appearance of Voldemolt, tons of people already got scared! So lots of people actually scared about the looking of the monster. Just like Geroge says if we found out his weakness, maybe people wont scared by him anymore.
ReplyDeleteVoldemolt kills Harry's parent, but Harry's mom's love to him to sacrifice herself in order to save his life. The mystery scar remains not only the love from his mother, but also the weakness of Voldmolt.
In fact, when I read Harry Potter series, I was impressed by the sorriness of Voldemolt. Although he killed many people, marred their happiness and even upset the rules of world, people were really innocent? When Voldemolt was a child, he was discarded by his mother. Therefore, Voldemolt grew up at orphanage where he suffered from loneliness and despair in the world. After he found his talents, Voldemolt just wanted to use this powerful ability to protect him from people's disdains. The only thing he desired to do was prove himself as a winner not a loser. He rejected the existence of love because he never felt it in his entire life.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, Volemolt is the most pathetic person in Harry Potter series. Just imagine for a person without love, nothing could be worse than this. For the presence of Voldemolt, the world bought an expensive bill for its indifference.
Voldemort's appearance and the theme of snakes throughout the entire series is biblical in nature. The snake is the literary "go-to" when it comes to physically portraying evil, deception, and monstrosity. This literary allusion dates back to the Adam and Eve story in which the devil appears to Eve as a snake and tricks her into eating an apple from the forbidden tree. With the snake being the choice of embodiment for his misdeeds, it is easy to understand Rowling's decision to use the snake as the animal of choice for Voldemort. Lu has made an excellent point in regards to the world having created this monster. The world did not love him, so why should he love it? However, I believe something interesting about this is something we see today: people making the best/worst of their situation. Several people are in bad situations today, some will make the best of their situation through trial and perseverence while others take the easy way out and become the bad of society. This seems to be an underlying theme and struggle between Harry and Voldemort. Voldemort, like Harry, lost his parents against his will but, unlike Harry, this loss drives him to resent the world. Harry has handled this adversity with great character and strength but ultimately has been on his way to giving himself a better life.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of evil is, like everything else, relative. Perspective must be taken into account. Assuming the character has choice (which Voldemort does), they are only going to do something that *they* think is right, even if it may be intrusive/offensive (I.E. murder, human sacrifice, etc...) to other individuals. The point is, in *his* mind he's obviously not evil nor are his actions.
ReplyDeleteIn the context of the book (and now feature films as well), the point is to make very clear cut distinctions of good and evil. Voldemort's visual design falls into the uncanny valley - that spot right between being completely human, and being very un-human. When a being's physical appearance is just-quite not human, that is far scarier than some completely alien creature. That having been said, I think that Voldemort as a 'normal' looking human with the same sensibilities might appear even more evil, because the great evils are coming from a character that we can relate to on a basic level. However, it was probably a better choice to design Voldemort as he is; his excessive, grotesque character design lends him a superhuman vibe.
I agree with the idea that perspective must be taken in acount on who is evil and who is a monster. To Voldemort Harry Potter is the monster, Harry is trying to take away everything Voldemort has acheived; take away the power he has worked so hard to get.Just like Voldemort, Harry can speak to snakes which is a sign of being an evil person. To judge what is a monster it must be taken into account from which viewpoint you are looking at. Anyone can have the "signs" of being a monster. It is the actions the person takes that truely makes them a monster or not. Not looks, speaking to snakes, or anything else of such nature.
ReplyDeleteI think Harry may not have turned out as good-natured as he is without the existence of Lord Voldemort. The evil actions of Voldemort are what made Harry who he is. Had Harry not had that encounter with Voldemort, he may not of met Ron and Hermione and could've potentially been in Slytherin.
ReplyDeleteHe-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named's appearance has no effect on how evil he is. If the guy was tall, dark and handsome he would still be a terrible, mystic murderer. The idea of evil people looking like horrific beasts is not new, but actions and one's deeds are more important than that appearance. Someone that wears a T-shirt saying "I eat people" doesn't make them a cannibal.
ReplyDeleteI may not be a big Potter fan, but the conflict between him and Voldemort is not what made him a good person. His struggled past with his aunt and uncle made him a more considerate person. Never wanting to be like those bad people helped him. Besides, before he knew of the wizarding world, he was a good person.
I also agree to the statement that perspective is an important fact and I'm in line with Nadia, when she says that from Voldemort's point of view Harry is the monster. Still, the reader sympathizes with Harry due to his actions for one part but also due to his appearance. The way Voldemort is described in the books and shown in the movies makes him appear as a monster to the audience already, without taking his "evil" actions into account.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Voldemort's actions make him evil, noone is really called evil just because of the way they look. I think that Harry would have still been 100 percent a good wizard because of how he was raised. All his life he was bullied and treated like he was nothing,I believe he would have not wanted to have someone go through the same pain he went through. The audience's perspective would have changed on the evilness of Lord Voldemort if he had had his original face because he would not have looked as monsterous and would be human like which everyone could humanize and relate with. I think Voldemort as a monster was very effective because he had the whole wizard community in constant fear of him, so much that they didnt say his name.
ReplyDeleteBoth his appearance and his actions make him a monster. The fact that he looks like a monster makes people look at him differently and make them afraid him. But by him also using dark magic and hurting people makes him a monster even more because they are afraid of what he might do to them. Also if Voldemort didn’t change his appearance I think people would still be as afraid of him because of what he has done and what he is capable of doing. I also think that the reason Harry Potter seems so good is because he is constantly compared to something so bad, Voldemort.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nadia in that it's all about your perspective. To Harry and his friends, Voldemort is a monster, but to the death eaters he is their idol. They see him differently because of his story. Harry sees him as a monster because he tried to kill him and his parents and represents evil. The death eaters worship him because they have the same goal, to take power from the good. So really, you could argue both sides depending on your perspective.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michelle that people judge off his looks and the way he behaves this makes him evil and a monster. Where Harry Potter is this sweet looking boy that seems like he could hurt no one.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe his appearance makes him more of a monster than his actions. In fact, some people that look like monsters may not be evil at all. We cannot choose our genetic make up and how we may appear, although a lot of people spend money on trying to look better. Personally, I think it is Voldemort's actions that make him more of a monster than his appearance, and that is true for many characters. Every good story has an antagonist or villian that causes conflict and I think Harry's conflicts with Voldemort really help to develop Harry's character as well as the plot. I would like to think that Harry would have been a good-natured wizard even without his conflicts with Voldemort. Voldemort's ugly appearance and connection to snakes, which many people fear, simply makes him more of a monster.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is a 50/50 split when it comes to determining if Voldemort's appearance or actions make him seem more like a monster. His looks make him appear to be scary. Like something that a child would be afraid was under their bed or in their closest. His appearance is something that is meant to scare people into doing what he wants or keeping them in check. His actions go right along with that. The way he acts is just as scary. If you want to put fear into people the best way to do that is to show them you are not afraid to torture them or even kill them. So over all Voldemort is an evil person inside and out.
ReplyDeleteI personally agree with Nadia's thoughts that people's perspectives determine their views on monster. In our view, Voldemort is a symbolic monster who is evil, cruel and violent. For Harry Potter, he is considered as a symbol of justice and courage. However, from Voldemort's perspective, Harry Potter is a sinful monster who is going to eradicate Voldemort without any mercy. Thus, for a specific literature figure, different people usually have diverse opinions about its identity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea because everyone thinks voldemort is a monster because they way he looks and some of the actions he makes and also everyone think harry potter is the good guy.
ReplyDeleteI have never personally read a Harry Potter novel, or seen any of the movies, but with the picture alone you can tell Voldemort is a monster. With wizards and other creatures in the novel so fearful of him to not even speak his name, Voldemort has to be an individual that is thought to be so evil that the thought of him would alter someones mood. Voldemort is even refered as "The Dark Lord" and with a title such as this, it makes me relate him to the devil, or pure evil.
ReplyDelete"You can't judge a book by its cover." Is a phrase that fits well here. I do believe that the movie producers used Voldemort's appearance to emphasize his evilness, but it isn't the reason he is a monster. As many have stated above, actions are the main reason he is a monster. He is willingly to use the unforgivable curses on innocent wizards and muggles. His goal is mass murder and in my opinion, even if he has his little sycophants, makes him no less than a monster.
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