Why Did Voldemort Try To Kill Harry: Unraveling the Dark Lord’s Motivation
In J.K. Rowling’s iconic Harry Potter series, the central conflict revolves around the protagonist, Harry Potter, and the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort. One of the most intriguing aspects of the story is understanding why Voldemort relentlessly pursued Harry, attempting to end his life. Let’s delve into the depths of Voldemort’s motivations and explore seven unique facts surrounding this enigmatic plotline.
Fact 1: The Prophecy
Voldemort’s obsession with Harry stems from a prophecy made by Sybill Trelawney, a Divination professor at Hogwarts. The prophecy stated that “the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him.” Believing that Harry could be the one mentioned in the prophecy, Voldemort sought to eliminate any potential threat to his reign of terror.
Fact 2: A Marked Connection
Voldemort’s attempt to kill Harry as an infant backfired, leaving him with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead. This connection between Harry and Voldemort became a crucial element in their ongoing battle. It allowed Harry to sense the Dark Lord’s emotions, thoughts, and even view his memories, providing an advantage to the young wizard.
Fact 3: The Horcrux Connection
Voldemort, seeking immortality, unintentionally made Harry into a Horcrux when he failed to kill him. A Horcrux is an object that contains a piece of the dark wizard’s soul. Unaware of this connection, Voldemort inadvertently ensured his own demise as long as Harry survived. This revelation becomes pivotal in the series’ climactic events.
Fact 4: A Blood Bond
Voldemort’s attempt to kill Harry involved using the Killing Curse, Avada Kedavra. However, due to the ancient magic invoked by Harry’s mother’s sacrificial love, the curse rebounded, destroying the Dark Lord’s body. The protection provided by his mother’s sacrifice created a blood bond between Harry and Voldemort, granting Harry additional protection throughout the series.
Fact 5: The Chosen One
As the Chosen One, Harry was destined to confront Voldemort. The prophecy’s ambiguity left room for interpretation, and Voldemort’s fear of its fulfillment drove him to eliminate any potential threats. Inadvertently, his actions played a significant role in ensuring that Harry would become the hero who ultimately defeated him.
Fact 6: A Symbol of Resistance
Voldemort recognized Harry’s growing influence as a symbol of resistance against his reign of terror. By attempting to kill Harry, Voldemort aimed to extinguish the hope and resistance inspired by the young wizard. Throughout the series, Harry’s journey becomes a beacon of hope for the magical community, rallying them against the Dark Lord’s tyranny.
Fact 7: Fear of Mortality
Voldemort’s desperation to achieve immortality reflects his deep-seated fear of death. By attempting to kill Harry, he sought to eliminate any potential threat to his immortality and maintain his dominance over the wizarding world. This fear of mortality drives Voldemort’s actions and shapes the series’ overarching conflict.
Now, let’s address some frequently asked questions related to Voldemort’s attempt to kill Harry.
FAQs:
1. Did Voldemort know that Harry was a Horcrux?
No, Voldemort was unaware that he had unintentionally made Harry a Horcrux. This revelation is only discovered later in the series.
2. How did Harry survive the Killing Curse?
Harry’s survival can be attributed to his mother’s sacrificial love, which invoked ancient magic, creating a protective bond between him and Voldemort.
3. Could Voldemort have chosen another target instead of Harry?
Yes, Voldemort could have chosen another target, but his belief in the prophecy and his fear of anyone with the potential to vanquish him led him to target Harry specifically.
4. Why didn’t Voldemort kill Harry when he had the chance?
Voldemort’s arrogance and belief in his invincibility led him to underestimate the power of sacrificial love and the consequences of his actions.
5. Did Voldemort ever regret trying to kill Harry?
No, Voldemort never expressed any regret for his attempt to kill Harry. His obsession with power and fear of death outweighed any potential remorse.
6. Could Voldemort have been defeated without targeting Harry?
It is unlikely. Harry’s connection to Voldemort, the prophecy, and his role as the Chosen One made him an integral part of the Dark Lord’s downfall.
7. Did Voldemort try to kill any other children who fit the prophecy?
No, Voldemort specifically targeted Harry as he believed him to be the one mentioned in the prophecy.
8. How did Voldemort know about the prophecy?
Voldemort learned about the prophecy through Severus Snape, who overheard part of it and reported it to him.
9. Did Voldemort ever consider recruiting Harry instead of killing him?
No, Voldemort saw Harry as a threat and never considered the possibility of recruiting him to his side.
10. Did Voldemort’s obsession with Harry blind him to other potential enemies?
Yes, Voldemort’s obsession with Harry blinded him to other potential threats, which ultimately led to his downfall.
11. What would have happened if Voldemort hadn’t tried to kill Harry?
The prophecy’s fulfillment would have been uncertain, and the wizarding world might have faced a different fate. Harry’s journey and the subsequent battle against Voldemort may not have occurred.
12. Did Voldemort know about the blood bond between him and Harry?
No, Voldemort was unaware of the blood bond’s existence until its significance was revealed during their final confrontation.
13. Could Voldemort have survived if he hadn’t attempted to kill Harry?
Possibly. By targeting Harry, Voldemort inadvertently ensured his own downfall due to the Horcrux connection and the protection provided by Harry’s mother’s sacrifice.
14. Did Voldemort ever realize that Harry was a Horcrux?
No, Voldemort never realized that Harry was a Horcrux. It was only discovered by Harry and his allies during their mission to destroy the Horcruxes.
15. What would have happened if Voldemort had succeeded in killing Harry?
Voldemort’s path to domination would have been unhindered. The wizarding world would have faced a reign of darkness and oppression, as Harry’s role in rallying resistance and defeating Voldemort would have been nonexistent.
Understanding Voldemort’s motivations and his relentless pursuit of Harry adds depth to the intricate storyline of the Harry Potter series. It highlights the themes of sacrifice, love, and the fight against tyranny, making it a timeless tale of heroism and resilience.
