Regarding Voldemort being a psychopath

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 176224

---  "doddiemoemoe" <doddiemoemoe at ...> wrote:
>
> 
> First off I'll start by saying that being proclaimed 
> a psychopath is not a diagnosis or representative a 
> specific mental disorder.  So while JKR proclaimed 
> Voldemort to be a psychopath, she isn't saying 
> anything other than Voldemort had serious 
> psychological issues ...
> 

bboyminn:

Maybe Sociopath is a better description. Certainly,
Voldemort was a megalomaniac; that's why every plan
he conceived failed. Because Voldemort couldn't 
conceive that any plan create by a magnificent
genius like him, could possibly be flawed. He was
so thoroughly convinced of his own perfection and
superiority that no plan he conceived ever need
to be analyzed or discussed. It was by its very nature
perfect, and if it was screwed up, it was because his 
inadequate inept henchmen screwed it up. It's never
the plan; always the execution. 

Certainly, given his penchant for killing his own 
men, no one was going to argue with him. Even when
the plan could be seen as flawed, you are safer
with a flawed plan than arguing with a deranged 
megalomaniac.


> Doddie,
> 
> 
> In the final showdown between Harry and Voldemort I
> don't think that Harry was wasting his time to give 
> Voldemort another chance. ... I think Harry was wise
> to hedge his bets by talking to Riddle, he's seen this
> is how Riddle likes to operate and how statements 
> Riddle cannot understand unhinge him in a special way. 
>

bboyminn:

Oh absolutely. Harry was slinging BULL like there was
no tomorrow, and I think he was doing it on purpose
because he knew that as long as Voldemort felt like
he was in control of himself and the situation, he
would not let his guard down. 

Voldemort is using Occlumency against Harry, but when
Voldie gets excited or emotional, lets his guard 
drop and that is when Harry is able to see into his
mind. If Harry, has any hope of knowing when the
curse is coming, he needs to rattle Voldemort. So,
Harry starts tellings stories that even we the
enlightened readers aren't quite sure how much 
truth is contained therein. 

Maybe Harry is the Master of the Elder Wand, and 
maybe he is not. Maybe a lot of things. The point is
there is enough truth in his story which in turn 
instills enough doubt that Voldemort starts to lose 
his cool. As Harry continues talking we see that his
sense of Voldemort's intent grows stronger, so that 
when Voldemort actually throws his curse, Harry is 
ready. 

Wisely played if you ask me. 


> Doddie,
>
> Of course Harry will  try to give Riddle another 
> chance and a chance for remorse even as ridiculous 
> as it sounds. ...
> 

bboyminn:

I think this is important. I think Harry giving Voldemort
one last chance to repent and feel remorse shows a lot
about Harry's character. Certianly there was an element
of 'rattling Voldemort's cage', but I think the offer
was real. He wanted Voldemort to take a look at his 
life and see that he was wrong before he died. He want
to give him one last very small very unlikely chance
at redemption.

> Doddie,
> ...
> 
> So Harry did know his speech was fairly useless, as 
> far as trying to change Riddles heart..but he thought 
> it worth a try, besides, his speech may have 
> enlightened those gathered around who were watching 
> and listening. 
> 
> Doddie,
>

bboyminn:

I think this is typical good guy behavior. You always
give the bad guy a chance to surrender before you blow
him away, just on the off chance that he might get 
smart at take the offer. 

I don't think Harry expected Voldemort to change, but
still he wanted the offer on the table. He wanted to
offer Voldemort a way out. 

I think it was important for Harry to enlighten those
around him. Because with each revelation, Voldemort's
mystic dropped a notch. With each revelation, the
people became less afraid, and Voldemort became more
afraid. I think as it progresses, Voldemort goes from
feeling in control to feeling surrounded, and the crowd
goes from feeling defeated to feeling in control. It's
a subtle shift in power.

Like I said...well play Harry.

Steve/bboyminn