Allusions in Harry Potter

Here?s some information from the book I was talking about. You will probably need to source it, it?s called ?Beacham?s Sourcebooks Exploring Harry Potter? by Elizabeth D. Schafer

Potter as Myth

HP series includes both direct and indirect references and allusions to Greek, Roman, Norse and other mythologies. Hogwarts could represent Olympus. Characters have similar names or traits as certain gods. Harry, Hercules and Apollo slay snakes and are considered great heroes of their worlds. Dumbledore can represent all-powerful Zeus, while Minerva McGonagall (as the first name suggests) is Athena. Hagrid is comparable to the Titans, Professor Quirrell is Janus, the two faced god. Narcissus and the doting Echo are represented by Gilderoy Lockhart and Hermione.

Potter as Legend

HP is famous in his own time, which reminds readers of other legendary figures. His ability to pull Godric Gryffindor?s sword from the hat is like Arthur pulling Excalibur from the stone. Dumbledore is the wise Merlin, while Harry?s yearmates are his Knights of the Round Table, Ron specifically being Lancelot, Arthur?s best friend who betrays him over Guinivere (Hermione?). Hogwarts = Camelot, the lake which could house the Lady of the Lake. The Philospher?s Stone is much akin to the Holy Grail. Voldemort?s name could?ve been derived from King Vortigern, an overlord who arrested Merlin as a child and planned to kill him to use his blood in the cement to lift a curse. He was symbolised by a red dragon, and his evil ways ultimately destroyed him. And here?s an interesting rumour: Ron Weasley?s name allegedly means ?Running Weasel,? an ancient warlord and gifted chess player, who died because of an accident involving a rat who had been died yellow!

Potter as Fairy Tale

Like Cinderella, Harry escapes from evil guardians who force him to work excessively, enters a magical world where he is the recipient of kindness and luxuries. Hagrid, Molly, Dumbledore and McGonagall likely candidates for being his Fairy Godmother.

There?s some more on Biblical Resources but I?m getting tired... hope this helps!

 

Hermione.

 

BoxOfficeMan: I did check out that link, and it's wonderful. Thanks so much!

ROP: I have until Monday, and thanks for the great stuff you posted! I always appreciate your help.

Thanks to everyone else who posted info, this is helping me out so much with my project.

 

Wait....I thought Arthur recieved Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake?

And it was Galahad who pulled a sword from the stone to indicate he was the chosen one to find the Holy Grail.

 

ROP: I have that book too. I just forgot. Thanks for reminding me.

 

Your welcome LadyMairead.

LeeKenobi: A different version of the legend, perhaps one of the least told versions. I always understood that Merlin received Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake. Of course, most of what I know of Arthurian legend comes from the movie Merlin