Sirius Black Poll

[mhbobbin]

No: HPFGUIDX 104284

griffin782002 wrote:

  I have my own thoughts about the veil. J.K.R. has used many elements
            from ancient mythologies for her books. For example,
centaurs were wise and play an important part in Greek myths. ... Also
the ancient Greeks believed that a three-headed dog, known as
Cerberus, guarded the entrance to the Underworld, which they called
Hades. There are myths which tell the story of a hero that for some
reason has to 'visit' the
Underworld. Hercules has to go there in order to 'borrow' Cerberus for
one of his twelve tasks. Orpheus, a mythicmeal micisian went to take
back his dead wife. I wonder if the veil is a similar kind of
entrance. ...


mhbobbin writes:

The Greek Mythology references are why I am in denial about death of
Sirius. Yes, he's dead, as JKR has indicated, but so were the
characters in Greek Mythology which JKR draws from. And we know now if
we don't have a body in JKR's world, the death is suspect.

 In addition to the two myths that griffin782002 mention, Heracles
goes to the Underworld to bring back Alcestis, and then there's the
story of Persephone, whose return from the underworld is negotiated
but who returns only half the year (Spring and Summer) because she has
eaten a pomegranate seed. That makes four different Greek myths about
return from the Underworld. 

We have in our story thus far the requirements for the task of going
into the underworld. I don't think that's coincidental.

1. We have the requisite motivated and brave hero in Harry.
2. We know where the entrance to the underworld is.
3. Our hero knows how to get past the large three headed dog. Fluffy
is either Cerberus or a close relative. Hagrid got Fluffy "from a
Greek chappie". And where is Fluffy these days?
4. Harry mistakenly adds Pomegranate Juice to his potion on p363 , Ch
17 of OoP.  There's no mention of pomegranate anywhere but here, as an
error by Harry. By inserting this fruit with its  mythological
association with Persephone and the Underworld into OoP, is JKR
planting a seed in our minds?

Well, eventually we will see what happens.