Boaz
Happy Easter!
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2005
- Messages
- 6,588
I started reading the Harry Potter series in 2008 when I realized that my eight year old neice would want to begin seeing the movies. Of course, I wanted her to read the books so I began reading. I saw influences from British history, Greek mythology, and James and Roald Dahl. I think JKR was inspired the Bible and Ursula LeGuin. I imagine her imagination was stoked by CS Lewis and Lloyd Alexander. And people who've read more than me will see many more cultural, religious, historical, and literary references.
It turns out that the only people with whom I discuss Harry Potter are teenagers. A few nights ago, during an after dinner discussion, my friend's son brought up the beauty contest that Paris judged. Athena offered Paris wisdom in war so he could be unbeatable. Hera offered Paris official dominion over all Europe and Asia. Aphrodite offered Paris the most desirable woman alive. The boy asked why Paris did not choose Hera... his rationale was that holding political supremacy would most likely lead to the ability to attract the most beautiful woman on earth. His brother then voted for Athena, reasoning that invincible military prowess would lead to political power and beautiful women. The third brother argued how power corrupts and how military invincibility would entice a man to commit genocide on a whim... he thought love was the best option.
As the three brothers debated Paris' wisdom, or lack thereof, my mind recalled Harry, Ron, and Hermione's discussion regarding which of the Hallows they'd prefer. And it seemed to me that the three Hallows could be analogous to the choices of Paris. The Elder Wand is the military option, the bribe of Athena. The Invisibility Cloak is the ability to project power in unexpected places or for the wearer to not be found by enemies, the bribe offered by Hera. And the Resurrection Stone is analagous to Aphrodite's bribe, the ability to bring about a loving relationship.
Given these choices, the boys all chose the invisibility cloak. Hindsight reveals that both the Wand and the Stone come with major caveats if not outright taints. The first brother asked which I'd choose, and I told I'd probably take the Stone.
How plausible is the choices of Paris/Deathly Hallows analogy?
Do you see connections to history, literature, mythology, religion, or culture in the HP series?
It turns out that the only people with whom I discuss Harry Potter are teenagers. A few nights ago, during an after dinner discussion, my friend's son brought up the beauty contest that Paris judged. Athena offered Paris wisdom in war so he could be unbeatable. Hera offered Paris official dominion over all Europe and Asia. Aphrodite offered Paris the most desirable woman alive. The boy asked why Paris did not choose Hera... his rationale was that holding political supremacy would most likely lead to the ability to attract the most beautiful woman on earth. His brother then voted for Athena, reasoning that invincible military prowess would lead to political power and beautiful women. The third brother argued how power corrupts and how military invincibility would entice a man to commit genocide on a whim... he thought love was the best option.
As the three brothers debated Paris' wisdom, or lack thereof, my mind recalled Harry, Ron, and Hermione's discussion regarding which of the Hallows they'd prefer. And it seemed to me that the three Hallows could be analogous to the choices of Paris. The Elder Wand is the military option, the bribe of Athena. The Invisibility Cloak is the ability to project power in unexpected places or for the wearer to not be found by enemies, the bribe offered by Hera. And the Resurrection Stone is analagous to Aphrodite's bribe, the ability to bring about a loving relationship.
Given these choices, the boys all chose the invisibility cloak. Hindsight reveals that both the Wand and the Stone come with major caveats if not outright taints. The first brother asked which I'd choose, and I told I'd probably take the Stone.
How plausible is the choices of Paris/Deathly Hallows analogy?
Do you see connections to history, literature, mythology, religion, or culture in the HP series?
