[HPforGrownups] Lycanthropy, and Remus' middle name

[Jen Faulkner]

No: HPFGUIDX 11960

On Fri, 9 Feb 2001 fred_and_george_weasley at yahoo.com wrote:

> Also, I would like to make a quick point about the word LYCANTHROPY.  
> Lycanthropy refers to anyone who can assume ANY kind of animal form, 
> not just werewolvism (alos, I think there might be a pyshosis called 
> lycanthropy in which people believe themselves to be animals).  So 
> technically, all the Animagi are lycanthropes.  

Actually, I've always thought that when discussing actual
transformations, lycanthropy only refers to the assumption of wolf-form
(as per the etymology), and not that of any other animals.  The (quasi?  
I don't have a copy of the DSM-IV or anything handy) medical usage can,
however, refer to a belief that one is any animal, not just a wolf.  
(The OED agrees with me, FWIW.)  But since Animagi are *actually*
transforming, it's certainly not a mental disorder, and is quite
distinct from lycanthropy, in either the sense of mental disorder or
werewolfism.

Now, as for Remus' middle name...  the warped theory first.  *g*

The J stands for James, as in James Potter, Remus' twin from whom he was
separated at birth.  They both have black hair and they're the same age,
right?  Voila, the long lost twin!  *g*

Okay, fine, so that's just silly.  But for a better suggestion, and one
I'm actually rather partial to, how 'bout Janus?  Janus was the Roman
god of (to simplify) doors, represented as having two faces, a double
(twin) nature.  Janus Geminus (=twin), also known as Janus Quirinus
(otherwise a name used of Romulus), had a shrine in the Forum, a
freestanding gate that was left open in wartime, but closed in
peacetime.  See, twin and Romulan connections!  The double nature of
Janus is also a little like Remus' double nature as both human and wolf.  
And it's a nice Latin name, like his other two.

(Obviously, I'm assuming that JRK has picked a signficant middle name
for Remus, just like his first and last names.  I was kind of trying to
think of a j-name associated with werewolves, or wolves in general,
particularly from Roman legend or Latin roots, but I absolutely
couldn't.)

Another possible name that I'm not quite as fond of is Julius.  Other
than Julius Caesar's claim to be a descendant of Romulus, I don't see
any real significance that would make this a plausible guess for a
middle name.  (Unless Remus is planning to become dictator? *g*)

Jason doesn't make any sense either, nor does Ju(p)piter (thought that
would be a nice parallel with Sirius, both being also astronomical
bodies), and Jarbas (Dido's suitor in the Aeneid) is just too obscure.  
And really, no other Roman j-names spring to mind...  Junius?

Or maybe his middle name's just... John. :)

--jen, whose familiarity with werewolf stories basically begins and ends
with the (fun for the whole family!... well, sort of) story in
Petronius' Satyricon :)

* * * * * * 
Jen's HP fics:
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