Voldemort, the notorious dark wizard and primary antagonist of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, had a deep-rooted desire to kill Harry Potter, the series’ protagonist. This burning obsession can be traced back to a prophecy made by the seer Sybill Trelawney, which foretold the downfall of Voldemort at the hands of a boy born in July.
The prophecy, which was overheard by Severus Snape and later revealed to Voldemort, stated:
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies… and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not… and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…”
Voldemort, fueled by his fear of this prophecy, believed that Harry Potter was the chosen one who would ultimately bring about his downfall. In his twisted mind, he saw Harry as a potential threat and sought to eliminate him before he could grow into his full power.
Driven by this paranoia, Voldemort orchestrated the murder of Harry’s parents, James and Lily Potter, in an attempt to eradicate any possibility of his prophecy coming true. However, his plan backfired, as the Killing Curse rebounded and left Voldemort powerless, while leaving only a lightning-shaped scar on Harry’s forehead.
Despite his defeat, Voldemort’s obsession with killing Harry did not wane. Throughout the series, he relentlessly pursued the boy wizard, unleashing his followers, the Death Eaters, and employing various dark magic to achieve his goal.
Voldemort’s relentless pursuit of Harry stemmed from his belief that by eliminating Harry, he would secure his own immortality and ensure that the prophecy would never come to pass. This fixation on the prophecy became a driving force behind his actions and the central conflict of the series.
It is essential to note that Voldemort’s desire to kill Harry was not solely based on the prophecy alone. Harry’s connection to Voldemort’s Horcruxes, objects containing pieces of his shattered soul, also played a crucial role. By eliminating Harry, Voldemort aimed to sever this connection and protect his remaining Horcruxes, further securing his immortality.
Voldemort’s intense desire to kill Harry Potter was rooted in his fear of a prophecy that foretold his downfall at the hands of a boy born in July. This prophecy, combined with Harry’s connection to Voldemort’s Horcruxes, fueled his relentless pursuit. The battle between the two became the centerpiece of the Harry Potter series, captivating readers and bringing to life the epic struggle between good and evil.
Why Did Voldemort Want To Kill Harry Potter Parents?
Voldemort wanted to kill Harry Potter’s parents, James and Lily Potter, because he believed that Harry was the subject of a prophecy that stated he would be the one to destroy him. The prophecy, which was made by Sybill Trelawney, a Divination teacher at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, stated the following:
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches … born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies … and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives …”
Voldemort overheard part of this prophecy and became obsessed with finding and eliminating the child who fit the description. He interpreted the prophecy to mean that Harry would be his ultimate downfall. The “power the Dark Lord knows not” referred to Harry’s capacity for love, which Voldemort, being incapable of understanding or experiencing love, saw as a weakness that could be exploited.
Believing that by killing Harry, he could prevent the prophecy from coming true and secure his own immortality, Voldemort went after the Potters. However, Lily’s love for her son proved to be a powerful shield, and when Voldemort attempted to kill baby Harry, the Killing Curse rebounded and destroyed Voldemort’s own body instead.
This event, known as the “Fall of Voldemort,” marked the beginning of Harry’s journey as “The Boy Who Lived” and set the stage for the conflict between him and Voldemort throughout the Harry Potter series.
Why Did Voldemort Wanted To Kill Harry In The First Place?
Voldemort’s desire to kill Harry Potter stemmed from a prophecy that was made by Sybill Trelawney, a skilled seer, during a job interview with Albus Dumbledore at the Hog’s Head pub in 1980. The prophecy stated that a child would be born with the power to defeat Voldemort. This child was described as being born to parents who had defied Voldemort three times, and that he would have the power that Voldemort knows not.
Upon hearing about this prophecy, Voldemort became obsessed with finding and eliminating this potential threat to his power. He believed that by eliminating this child, he would secure his own immortality and ensure his continued reign of terror. Voldemort interpreted the prophecy to be about Harry Potter, as he was born to parents who had defied him on multiple occasions and he possessed unique abilities, such as being a Parselmouth (one who can communicate with snakes) and being the only known survivor of the Killing Curse.
Voldemort’s decision to kill Harry was also driven by his fear and arrogance. He saw Harry as a symbol of resistance and opposition to his rule, and viewed him as a potential threat to his plans of establishing a pure-blood wizarding society. Voldemort believed that by eliminating Harry, he would eliminate any possibility of this prophecy coming true and eliminate a potential leader who could rally others against him.
In his pursuit of Harry, Voldemort went to great lengths to ensure his demise, orchestrating the murder of Harry’s parents and attempting to kill the infant Harry himself. However, his curse backfired and left him weakened and disembodied, while Harry survived with only a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
It is important to note that Voldemort’s obsession with killing Harry went beyond just the prophecy. As the series progresses, it becomes evident that there is a deeper connection between Voldemort and Harry, and their fates become intertwined in a battle of good versus evil. But initially, it was the prophecy that set in motion Voldemort’s relentless pursuit to kill Harry, driven by his fear, arrogance, and desire to maintain his power.
Why Does Voldemort Want To Kill Harry If He Is A Horcrux?
Voldemort wants to kill Harry despite the fact that he unintentionally made him a Horcrux because of several key reasons:
1. Horcruxes serve as a means for Voldemort to preserve his own immortality. By splitting his soul and placing fragments of it into various objects, Voldemort ensured that even if his physical body was destroyed, he could still exist.
2. However, Harry being an unintended Horcrux presents a unique problem for Voldemort. As per the Prophecy, it states that neither Voldemort nor Harry can live while the other survives. This implies that as long as Harry is alive, Voldemort can never truly achieve the level of power and control he desires.
3. While Harry’s connection to the Horcrux inside him grants him certain abilities, such as glimpses into Voldemort’s mind and the ability to speak Parseltongue, it also poses a threat to Voldemort’s own existence. If Harry were to die, it would destroy the Horcrux within him and weaken Voldemort’s overall soul, making him more vulnerable.
4. Moreover, Voldemort’s obsession with power, fear of death, and his belief in his own superiority drive him to eliminate any potential threats, including Harry. Despite the complications surrounding Harry’s status as a Horcrux, Voldemort is determined to eliminate him to ensure his own absolute dominance and immortality.
While Harry being a Horcrux unintentionally created by Voldemort does complicate the situation, it does not change Voldemort’s motivation to kill him. The Prophecy, Voldemort’s fear of death, and his desire for ultimate power all contribute to his relentless pursuit of Harry’s demise.
Why Did Voldemort Wanted To Kill James And Lily Potter?
Voldemort wanted to kill James and Lily Potter because of a prophecy that foretold his downfall. The prophecy stated that a child born to parents who had defied Voldemort three times would have the power to defeat him. Voldemort believed that this child could pose a significant threat to his reign of power and sought to eliminate them before they could grow up and fulfill the prophecy.
To understand why Voldemort targeted James and Lily specifically, we need to consider their involvement in the war against him. Both James and Lily were members of the original Order of the Phoenix, a group dedicated to fighting against Voldemort and his Death Eaters. As active participants in the resistance, they posed a significant threat to Voldemort’s plans for domination.
Moreover, Voldemort knew that the prophecy referred to a child born at the end of July, and as fate would have it, James and Lily had a son named Harry who fit this description. Believing that Harry was the child mentioned in the prophecy, Voldemort saw him as the ultimate threat to his power and sought to eliminate him as an infant.
It is worth noting that Voldemort’s decision to target James and Lily was not solely based on the prophecy. He also harbored a deep resentment towards James, who had been a prominent member of the Order and had stood against him in the past. By targeting James and Lily, Voldemort sought to not only destroy the potential threat posed by their child but also to exact revenge on those who had defied him.
Voldemort wanted to kill James and Lily Potter because he believed their child, Harry, was the one mentioned in a prophecy that foretold his downfall. Additionally, he sought to eliminate them as a form of revenge for their involvement in the resistance against him.
Conclusion
Voldemort’s obsession with killing Harry Potter stemmed from his belief in a prophecy that foretold their ultimate confrontation. This prophecy, overheard by Severus Snape and shared with Voldemort, indicated that Harry had the potential to become his greatest threat and ultimately bring about his downfall. In his quest to ensure his own survival, Voldemort targeted Harry as a baby, hoping to eliminate him before he could become a formidable adversary. This relentless pursuit of Harry continued throughout the series, as Voldemort sought to fulfill the prophecy and maintain his power. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Voldemort’s fear and obsession ultimately lead to his own demise, as Harry’s courage, love, and resilience prove to be more powerful than the Dark Lord’s quest for dominance.
