Classical knowledge (was: "This is just too easy...")

[Ev vy]

No: HPFGUIDX 33153

From: Eloise <Edblanning at aol.com>
: I had the same thought, but of course, we have the benefit of hindsight.
: 
: 1)  The key to pacifying Fluffy clearly is not common knowledge ( I have to 
: say that this lack of Classical knowledge is one  of several failings in the 
: curriculum that bothers me. There's enough Latin in the spells, many of the 
: creatures occur in classical myth etc, and the style of  education is old- 
: fashioned enough to make me think that a knowledge of Latin and classical 
: myth/ literature would be essential)

Such an approach to Classical knowledge seems to me a Muggle approach. What for Muggles is classical myth/literature and Latin (as a separate language), for wizards may be a part of their common knowledge. 'Fabulous beasts' exist in their world, Latin is incorporated into language to be used in naming all the spells, and not necessarily exists as a separate language or in fact a dead language (is it a correct term?).

Harry, as brought up by Muggles does not have the knowledge, which a child brought up in a proper wizarding family may have, about all the creatures that could seem mythical to Harry (or the reader) and not very unusual to a child-wizard, who would hear about them quite frequently I guess. E.g. the Weasleys have a ghoul in their attic. They don't seem to think it's unusual (rather annoying), or that the creature itself shouldn't be there or shouldn't exist because it's mythical (that what a Muggle would think). IMHO, Fluffy being a mythical creature for us, for wizards is just a huge three-headed dog. Maybe not the only one around.

Moreover, Harry not being very much 'Muggle-educated' (uncle Vernon is known to shut Harry up in his cupboard for a long time periods) probably is not aware of anything like Classical education and for him all the creatures are just incredible, awesome, etc. and not mythological in the very meaning of this word. And he may not even know that Latin _is_ a separate language in the Muggle world.

Ev vy
*delurking after a very long period of silence and saying 'Hi, again!'*
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There's nothing level in our cursed natures
But direct villainy.
      William Shakespeare "Timon of Athens"
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And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
     William Shakespeare "Richard III"
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