Voldemort as Christ figure

[coriolan_cmc2001]

No: HPFGUIDX 37068

--- In HPforGrownups at y..., "davewitley" <dfrankiswork at n...> wrote:
> --- In HPforGrownups at y..., "Amy Z" <aiz24 at h...> wrote:
> 
> >And what about Voldemort--is *he* a Christ figure?  He has the 
> resurrection if not the self-sacrifice.

The first symbol of death and resurrection we see in HP is Fawkes the 
Phoenix, which in both ancient 

http://www.apocalyptic-theories.com/literature/phoenix/phoenix.html

and modern poetry

http://www.angelfire.com/band/PhoenixHeart/

has been used as a symbol of Christ's death and resurrection.  The 
early Church fathers  believed in the literal existence of the 
Phoenix as the risen Lord. You may remember Clement of Rome's letter 
to the Corinthian Church (roughly 105 AD, 50 years after Paul): 

"Let us consider that wonderful sign [of the resurrection] which 
takes place in Eastern lands, that is, in Arabia and the countries 
round about. There is a certain bird which is called a phoenix. This 
is the only one of its kind, and lives five hundred years. And when 
the time of its dissolution draws near that it must die, it builds 
itself a nest of frankincense, and myrrh, and other spices, into 
which, when the time is fulfilled, it enters and dies. But as the 
flesh decays a certain kind of worm is produced, which, being 
nourished by the juices of the dead bird, brings forth feathers. 
Then, when it has acquired strength, it takes up that nest in which 
are the bones of its parent, and bearing these it passes from the 
land of Arabia into Egypt, to the city called Heliopolis. And, in 
open day, flying in the sight of all men, it places them on the altar 
of the sun, and having done this, hastens back to its former abode. 
The priests then inspect the registers of the dates, and find that it 
has returned exactly as the five hundredth year was completed."

When Harry stands defenseless before Tom Riddle in the Chamber of 
Secrets, it is only his faith in Dumbledore (and by extension, 
Fawkes), that saves him "Do not think I have come to peace to the 
Earth: I come not bringing peace but a sword" (Matthew 10:34). 

"Dumbledore's been driven out of this castle by the mere memory of 
me!" he hissed.

"He's not as gone as you might think!" Harry retorted. He was 
speaking at random, wanting to scare Riddle, Wishing Rather Than 
Believing It To Be True
.(Good Definition of Faith!)


A crimson bird the size of a swan had appeared, piping its weird 
music to the vaulted ceiling

A second later, the bird was flying 
straight at Harry. It dropped the ragged thing it was carrying at his 
feet, then landed heavily on his shoulder



"That's a phoenix"  said Riddle, staring shrewdly back at it
.


Riddle began to laugh again. He laughed so hard that the dark 
chamber rang with it, as though ten Riddles were laughing at once
"This is what Dumbledore sends his defender! A songbird and an old 
hat! Do you feel brave, Harry Potter? Do you feel safe now?"

As for Voldemort's pseudo-Death & Rebirth, it is perfectly consistent 
with the antique Christian precept of Diaboli Simia Dei – The Devil 
is God's Ape. "Satan himself masquerades as an apostle of light," as 
the Apostle says (II Corinthians 11:15) Unable to effect anything 
original, Our Father Below is doomed to forever parodying and 
burlesquing the achievements of God (see the Book of Revelations).  
Voldy as Christ also conflicts with the much more obvious parallels 
of the infant Harry as Christ:

This little babe, so few days old
Is come to rifle Satan's fold, 
All hell doth at his presence quake
Though He Himself with cold do shake
For in His week unarmed wise
The gates of hell He will surprise.  

If Satan cannot cast out Satan, are we to assume that Voldemort would 
be any more successful in casting out Voldemort?

   - CMC

The Phoenix
Through the Flames
>From the Ashes
Rising
Birth of Life!
Through the Fires and Flames of Hell,
For I have overcome.
Risen From the Ashes
I've begun Anew!
I've Lived and Felt the anguish,
despising experiences
which Never should have been but were.
I've seen the Lives destroyed,
the pain and anger in Full.
Facing these,
and the Reflection of the Mirror,
I've chosen the Path of Life
Which Rises to Life
Where the Light of Love Shines upon.
Eyes with Tears,
Cleansed with Clarity,
Touched by Love that Never dies,
Life it Forever brings.
The Love of the Phoenix,
Shields you with its' wings,
as protecting its young!
Embrace - For you are Loved,
And Shall Always Be!
This is your Eternity
Peace Be With You!