The Unforgivables Curses

[laylalast]

No: HPFGUIDX 94959

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "delwynmarch" 
<delwynmarch at y...> wrote:
> 
> Hello all !
> 
> The recent threads about the Cruciatus Curse have gotten me more 
and 
> more confused. I've been arguing that using the Cruciatus curse 
> requires some kind of sadism, but quite a few people disagree. So 
> now I'm wondering : how do the Unforgivables work and why are they 
> they called so ?
> 
> Do they work like any other curse, or do they require some evil 
> intent ?
> 
> Why give them such a grand name as Unforgivable ? I'm really 
> bothered by that. Unforgivable implies that there's no redemption 
> possible. Why is that so ? In most Western societies, even murder 
> can be "redeemed" : whoever has purged their jail sentence for 
> murder is supposed to have been "purified" of it, for lack of a 
> better term. They can go back to society, and live a "normal" life.
> 
> So why does the WW, which is usually notably more lenient on moral 
> matters than the Real World, think that those 3 Curses are 
> Unforgivable ?
> 
> I agree that it's not nice to force someone to do something, or to 
> cause them pain, but isn't it a bit too much to go as far as 
calling 
> those things unforgivable ??
> 

<snips rest>

Lilian:
After I read your question, I have been mulling it over in my mind 
to explain my point of view. I came up with the comparison with 
guns, pistols, rifles and such. But before I embark on it, I would 
like to note that this is based on the general attitude/legal point 
of view in the Netherlands. I'm not too sure about the UK, where JKR 
comes from.
Having said that, here goes!

A gun (and the others mentioned) is a weapon intended to be used to 
force, maim or kill a living being. A gun is no toy! Only persons 
within the police force or the army are legislated to carry such a 
weapon. But only after they have been sufficiently trained in 
preventing to use it. For the sake of the comparison, I leave out 
shooting-clubs.
Any other person who acquires a gun will (in general) do so with the 
intent to use it, which can only be done in the ways described 
above. Should he use in a case of self defense, he will be 
exonerated for the use, but still be punished for the possession of 
a gun.

In the case of the Unforgivable curses, they are used to force 
(Imperius curse), to maim (Cruciatus curse) and to kill (Killing 
curse). No other outcome when you use them.
Should DD imperio LV, to prevent LV from killing Harry, then DD 
would (probably) be exonerated for the outcome of the Imperius 
curse, but could still be punished for having used it in the first 
place (that's what DADA is for!).

As to the name, perhaps they are called the Unforgivables because 
you get a life sentence for it. Or you get a life sentence because 
they are called the Unforgivables. Pick your choice! ;)

Lilian