Scary Characters

[Happy Smiley]

No: HPFGUIDX 183734

> Peggy now: I think Barty Crouch Sr. would be a good nominee
> too. Without his concern for upholding his reputation, events
> couldn't have unfolded like they did in GoF.

> Cat: Yes I do believe that the Book6/Riddle was indeed scary
[SNIP]
> But the character that I find truly terrifying is Greyback
[SNIP]
> his deliberate cruelty is so completely unforgivable it makes
> me shudder.

> Maria: Lucius often resorts to bribery and blackmail to get
> what he wants. The kind of power he holds over the government
> and Minister is what makes him an intimidating and formidable
> opponent.

Good points indeed!

I think Crouch Sr.. and Lucius Malfoy had a similar root
cause for their actions - hunger to get the best recognition
in their respective circles. This flaw drove them to do mad
and scary things. Yet Crouch Sr. is better than Lucius Malfoy
and this, I think, is because of the difference in the society
they wanted themselves to be associated with. Cause for
Voldemort's cruelty was similar - he wanted to be both
immortal and the most powerful. These people care only
about the ends and not the means to achieve them.

I agree with Cat that Greyback's cruelty is "motiveless
malignity" but I'd also say this is similar to that of
Bellatrix and Crouch Jr. Their reward for cruelty is
nothing but a cheap sadistic pleasure. Greyback and
Bellatrix are explicit about their dirty personalities
while Crouch Jr. does it with a heart-wrenching (!)
"I'm innocent, please" cry! Urgh! Greyback seemed to
expect something in return from Voldemort as per some
of his statements in the "Malfoy Manor" chapter of DH.
How stupid of him! I really don't think Bellatrix and
Crouch Jr. were stupid enough to think that Voldemort
will do something for *them* as a reward for their
loyalty to him - they *know* he won't. Just being
with him and doing all those rubbish things they
did gave them pleasure! They didn't seem to want
anything else apart from that! *That* is scary.

Yes, both categories are not justified - both are
unforgivable, punishable, criminal categories. Yet
I think it is difficult to correct people who *enjoy*
being cruel while one may probably hope to correct
those who don't *mind* being cruel in order to *get*
something like say power / recognition.  JMHO.~Joey