Welcome to Harry Potter Theory. Today, we’re discussing DEATH in Harry Potter. More specifically, we're going to be discussing all 5 methods of EVADING death and achieving IMMORTALITY.
Death is a central theme to the Harry Potter books- playing a vital role in both Harry’s life and experiences at Hogwarts. Near the very beginning of the FIRST book, right from the get-go, we’re given information pertaining to the deaths of Harry’s parents, and given a glimpse in to what sort of an impact it had on him and his life.
But it wasn’t just Harry that dealt with death- in fact, the primary antagonist had a unique relationship to death as well, with Voldemort constantly pushing for a way of achieving immortality. Voldemort’s obsession with living forever, and the value he placed in the world of the living, is repeated over and over throughout the books and films. To him, there is nothing worse than dying.
'There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!' snarled Voldemort.
'You are quite wrong,' said Dumbledore
One of the main messages of the Harry Potter books is that death is not absolute- nor is it something that we should be worrying about. It’s continually reinforced that death is simply a part of LIFE, and that instead our focus should be on seeking love and friendship- enjoying the time that we do have.
But for some, like Voldemort, that message will never resonate, which is why all sorts of methods of achieving immortality have been concocted in the wizarding world.
Today, we’re going to be uncovering all 5 of these methods.
Let’s get in to it.