Nominative Determinism: Classically Derived Names in the Potter Saga by David Butler and Dr Rebecca R

Nominative Determinism: Classically Derived Names in the Potter Saga by David Butler and Dr Rebecca R. Butler

ominative determinism occurs lupus, a wolf. The idea of men who could The most celebrated of the ancient Nwhen a person’s name reflects what transform into wolves occurs in Latin too, world’s Sybils was perhaps the Cumaean, that person does or is, for instance Mr such creatures being termed by the poet who came to Rome during the reign of Baker making bread or Ms Taylor making Ovid as ambigui. Lupin himself is an Tarquinius Priscus. She sold books of dresses. In the Potter saga J. K. Rowling ambiguous figure, the kindest and gentlest prophecies to the Romans, which could seems to have a particular fondness for of men when himself, a terrifying figure be consulted only on the authority of the nominative determinism. In her case the when transformed. Roman senate. names often derive from Latin and Greek The example of Lupin raises familiar The Sybil had 12 books of language and tradition. if unanswered questions. Was Remus prophecies for sale. When she announced This note will consider those given this first name because he was the price the Romans declined to buy, examples of nominative determinism in infallibly destined to become a werewolf? regarding the price as exorbitant. She the Potter saga with their roots in classical Or did he become a werewolf because his destroyed six books and offered the language and mythology. It thus excludes parents were unwise enough to give him remaining six – at the same price. The derivations from other linguistic sources that name? How is it that his family name process was repeated. When there were such as Durmstrang, the northern was Lupin? He became a werewolf only three books left the Romans bought academy of magic, its name derived from through being bitten. There is no them at the original exorbitant price – an the 18th century German literary suggestion that he came from a hereditary early demonstration of the economic movement known as Sturm und Drang or lupine family. Rowling does not pose reality that scarcity of supply increases the name Voldemort, which ambiguously these questions, let alone answer them. prices. The books were stored in the may come from the French either as ‘theft They are part of the mystery of temple of Capitoline Jupiter, where they from Death’ or as ‘flight from Death’. nominative determinism. were destroyed in the fire of 83 BC. Sybill Trelawney’s great-great- grandmother Cassandra is of interest. She was named after the princess of Troy, Remus Lupin Sybill and Cassandra Trelawney daughter of Priam and Hecuba, who was brought back from the Trojan War as the Remus Lupin was the Defence against the The same cannot be said of Sybill war prize of the victorious Agamemnon. Dark Arts teacher who taught Harry the Trelawney, the Hogwarts Divination Agamemnon’s wife Clytemnestra was so Patronus charm. He was one of the teacher, whose destiny was much clearer. pleased to see her husband back home originators of the Marauder’s Map. He Her great-great-grandmother was the with his new girlfriend that she and his died during the Battle of Hogwarts. Lupin famous seer Cassandra Trelawney, so it cousin Aegisthus murdered them both. was a werewolf. was perhaps always possible that Sybill This Trojan Cassandra was Remus was the first name of one of too would inherit the Inner Eye. In the celebrated not only for her prophetic the mythical twins who founded the city ancient world the word Sibylla was used as powers but also for the way in which of Rome, twins who were said to have a proper name for female seers and also those powers were exercised. Apollo been suckled by a she-wolf. for other women. Its etymology is granted her visionary powers in return for The surname Lupin derives from the unknown. A number of different cities in sexual favours she promised him. Latin second declension masculine noun the ancient world claimed to have a Sybil. However Cassandra broke her word.

The Journal of Classics Teaching 17 (33) p.54-57 © The Classical Association 2016. This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits Downloaded54 fromnon-commercial https://www.cambridge.org/core re-use, distribution,. IP address: and reproduction 170.106.35.234 in, anyon 29 medium, Sep 2021 provided at 10:04:14 the, subject original to thework Cambridge is unaltered Core andterms is ofproperly use, available cited. at The written https://www.cambridge.org/core/termspermission of Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000143 University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work. Apollo therefore instead of revoking her Again, when Professor Dolores powers ordained that, although Cassandra Umbridge challenged Trelawney to make Argus Filch would prophecy the truth, the Trojans a prophecy, she said that Umbridge was in Argus Filch was the caretaker at were fated never to believe her. great danger. Umbridge scoffed at the Hogwarts, responsible for maintaining As a result Cassandra forecast that prophecy, but we soon see Umbridge order in the school. He was a squib, born her brother Paris’ elopement with Helen unwisely venturing into the Forbidden into a magical family but devoid of would lead to the destruction of Troy, and Forest and being carted off by an angry magical powers. He was also a vengeful that the great wooden horse should not mob of Centaurs. She was indeed in soul, refraining from torturing the pupils be brought inside the walls of Troy. Her danger. Trelawney was right again, and only because Dumbledore forbade it. warnings were ignored, with disastrous once again like the namesake of her Filch’s given name is the Latinised consequences. ancestor she was destined not to be version of the Greek Argos, a many-eyed Whether this same fate befell believed. creature described as Panoptes, ‘all-seeing’. Cassandra Trelawney, to foretell the truth His many eyes make the Greek Argos a and not to be believed, we do not know. perfect watchman, engaged as such by no But it is certainly a fate that befell her Minerva McGonagall less than Hera. In this case the derivation great-great-granddaughter. Sybill of the name must be intended ironically, Trelawney made two prophecies that were The Roman goddess Minerva was since even with the help of his cat Mrs believed. She predicted that a child would regarded in classical mythology as the Norris (a name borrowed from a different be born who could fight on equal terms Italian equivalent of Greece’s Pallas tradition) Filch was totally unable to keep against the Dark Lord, which turned out Athene. Like her Greek counterpart, order in Hogwarts. Fred, George and to be Harry. That was the great prophecy Minerva was the goddess of (among Harry, with the help of the Marauder’s preserved in the Ministry of Magic’s many other attributes) wisdom and Map and the Invisibility Cloak, ran rings Department of Mysteries and sought with magic. She was often depicted with her around him. Peeves the poltergeist made such intensity by Voldemort and the sacred companion, an owl, significantly fun of Filch at every opportunity. Death Eaters. Later Trelawney correctly from the viewpoint of Hogwarts where Rowling was not the first to borrow predicted in a trance that the Dark Lord’s owls were both plentiful and the the name Argos. Homer used the same closest ally, Peter Pettigrew or Wormtail, backbone of the communication system. name for Odysseus’ vigilant dog. When would be restored to him. Pettigrew It is somewhat surprising that Odysseus returned incognito after his escaped from Lupin and Sirius Black in McGonagall’s Patronus was a cat rather 20-year absence, the dog was the first to his animagus form of Scabbers the rat. than an owl. recognise him. Despite these two correct prophecies, both Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall regarded Trelawney’s powers with scepticism. Alastor (Mad-Eye) Moody Sirius Black McGonagall dismissed Divination as a hoax subject and Dumbledore joked, Alastor Moody was one of the most Harry Potter’s godfather was an animagus, when Trelawney’s prophecy about successful Aurors, the wizards who able to change himself at will into a huge Pettigrew proved accurate, that this was combat Death Eaters on behalf of the dog. Accordingly he is named Sirius, for her second success in more than 20 years Ministry of Magic. It was said that half the Dog Star. Sirius is the brightest star in so maybe she deserved a pay rise. the cells in Azkaban were filled by Moody. Earth’s skies. It is known as the Dog Star Contempt for divination reached its peak Moody also served as Defence against the because it belongs in the constellation when Hermione Granger walked out of Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts for one Canis Major. Greek and Roman mythology the lesson, dismissing it as unworthy of year, spending part of the time locked up are both rich in stories about this dog. her attention. in his own trunk while Barty Crouch One Greek version identifies Canis Major But Dumbledore, McGonagall and junior impersonated him, using Polyjuice as the dog gifted by Zeus to Europa. One Granger were mistaken. In Harry’s tea Potion. Moody was killed during the Roman version sees Canis Major as the leaves Trelawney saw a huge dog which evacuation of Potter from the Dursley watchdog set unsuccessfully to protect she took for the Grim, a symbol of household. Europa from being abducted by Jupiter. approaching death. She was of course In ancient Greek mythology the The name Canis Sirius was not adopted for mistaken about the Grim. But she was alastor is the avenging deity or daimon. the dog until the 16th century. Until his quite right about the huge dog. Syrius The alastor drove those who suffered untimely death at the hands of Bellatrix Black was just about to appear in his crimes to exact revenge. For example Lestrange, Sirius was certainly a bright animagus form as a huge black dog. She when Clytemnestra murdered her star in Harry’s otherwise bleak Dursley- saw the dog but mistook its significance. husband Agamemnon, her son Orestes dominated firmament. On the eve of the final round of the was compelled to take on the role of the Triwizard tournament Trelawney foresees alastor and to become a matricide. Moody the death of a contestant. It is assumed recognised the savagery of the Death Hermione Granger that the prophecy relates to Harry, who Eaters and relished punishing them with survives. But Cedric Diggory dies, equal harshness. He seems also to relish Occasionally research into nominative fulfilling the prophecy. his battle scars. determinism draws a blank, as in the case

Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address:Nominative 170.106.35.234 Determinism:, on 29 Sep Classically 2021 at 10:04:14 Derived, Namessubject toin the PotterCambridge Saga Core terms of use, available at 55 https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000143 of Hermione Granger. There is of course that in which the true story of Snape’s associates him only with the rites of other a classical Hermione, the daughter of hopeless love is revealed and the gods. He is supposed to be devoted to King Menelaus of Sparta and his Queen ambiguity of his name resolved. one master. But his dedication to that Helen. She is variously reported to have master is non-existent, his loyalty lies been married to Neoptolemus, the son of elsewhere. This is perhaps Rowling’s Achilles, and to Orestes, the son of The Carrows cleverest piece of nominative Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. There is determinism. however nothing in the life and times of The Death Eaters who imposed savage the classical Hermione that sheds any discipline at Hogwarts when Snape light on the life and career of the daughter became Headmaster were brother and Luna Lovegood of two Muggle dentists who turned out to sister, Alecto and Amycus Carrow. The be a supremely gifted witch, gifted in every sister’s given name takes us back to one of Luna Lovegood is named for one of field except Divination. If Rowling had in the oldest and most fearsome traditions Rome’s most significant deities. The mind an etymological link that has eluded of ancient Greece. The Furies or Erinyes Roman moon goddess may have her research, she might care to indicate it. were chthonian powers – that is to say origin in pre-Roman Sabine days, though powers of the earth rather than powers of this is disputed. In historic times she had a the heavens like the Olympian gods and cult with one temple on the Aventine and goddesses. Their role was to punish another on the Palatine, which remained Severus Snape wrongdoers, often visiting the curses of illuminated all night long. parents on their children. Severus Snape served as Potions Master The Furies terrified the Greeks. and Dark Arts Master at Hogwarts. He Aeschylus called them daughters of the was also the Housemaster of Slytherin Sundry others night and depicted them on stage with and briefly Headmaster. He was above all snakes for hair. In later writers their a skilled double agent, loyal to Some names are simply derived. Ludo names are given as Tisiphone, Megaera Dumbledore but trusted by Voldemort. Bagman is the Head of Magical Sports. and of course Alecto. Amycus is named Voldemort claimed that he always knew Ludo is Latin for ‘I play’. In his youth for the brutal king of the Bebryces. He when someone was lying. Snape deceived Ludo was a famous Quidditch player. compelled all and sundry to face him in the Dark Lord. Regulus Black conforms more boxing matches. The rule was that the Severus Snape’s life and career were closely to the elitist ideals of the Black loser’s life could be forfeit. The Argonaut dominated by his unrequited love for Lily family than his renegade brother Sirius: Polydeuces fought and beat Amycus, skill Potter. Because Harry is her son, he will his name means ‘a prince’ in Latin. triumphing over brute strength. In go to any lengths helping Dumbledore Other names offer too many different versions of the story Amycus is protect Harry. He even sat impassively possibilities to allow certainty. Which either tamed or killed after losing the while a Hogwarts colleague was Roman might have inspired Rowling to fight. murdered. But Harry closely resembled name a Minister of Magic Cornelius his father James, who married the woman Fudge? The Oxford Classical Dictionary Snape loved. Snape saw father and son as lists more than fifty entries for individuals arrogant, conceited and contemptuous of Quirinus Quirrell bearing the praenomen Cornelius. Which rules. The derivation of Snape’s given if any of these might have influenced name reflects this ambivalence. Quirrell was the Professor of Defence Rowling in choosing a given name for The dictionary definition of the against the Dark Arts in Potter’s first year Fudge must remain a matter of guesswork. Latin word severus mentions ‘serious’, at Hogwarts, ostensibly a tense and Pomona Sprout, the Herbology ‘strict’ and ‘stern’, all qualities of which nervous young man. Harry revealed that Professor at Hogwarts, is named after the Snape would be proud. The definition Quirrell’s body was partially possessed by Roman goddess of fruits, especially of however also mentions ‘disagreeable’ and Voldemort. those grown on trees. Pomona was only a ‘oppressive’, qualities the Gryffindor Quirinus was a Roman god claimed minor deity, with a sacred site 20 students would recognise in Snape. And by some to be of Sabine origin. We know kilometres out of the centre of Rome on finally the definition mentions ‘dreadful’ little about him except that his divine the Via Ostiensis. She did not have even a and ‘gloomy’, qualities in Harry’s eyes function seems to have been similar to minor festival. typifying Snape for most of the story. that of Mars and that he had his own Bellatrix Lestrange is the female In the end Harry captured Snape’s flamen. The flamines were priests in the Death Eater who killed Sirius Black and dying memories and replayed them in the college of the Pontifices. The flamen of the Dobby the House Elf, who styled herself Pensieve. At last he saw the true qualities god Quirinus was one of the three major Voldemort’s most faithful follower. The of Snape, ‘the bravest man I ever knew’. priests, alongside those of Jupiter and Latin word bellatrix means a female He named his son Albus Severus Potter. Mars, a very senior position. warrior. She was killed by Molly Weasley Rowling reported that she wrote one In principle each flamen was supposed in the Battle of Hogwarts. chapter of the Potter saga in a hotel to conduct the rites of the divinity to The Hogwarts astronomy teacher is room, writing in floods of tears. Our whom he was dedicated, and no others. Aurora Sinistra. The Latin word aurora guess is that the chapter in question was But what we know of the flamen Quirinalis means daybreak or dawn. Sinistra is the

Downloaded56 from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: Nominative170.106.35.234 Determinism:, on 29 Sep Classically2021 at 10:04:14 Derived, subject Names to the in the Cambridge Potter Saga Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2058631016000143 feminine of the ordinary word sinister for signifies a white without lustre, a pallid entertained such notions on the grounds left as opposed to right. But ancient white. Its opposite in Latin is ater, a dull that he was young, Harry points out that superstition (reflected in modern usage of and gloomy black. The other Latin word Dumbledore was then the same age as the word ‘sinister’) made the left unlucky, for ‘white’ means a glistening or gleaming Harry, Ron and Hermione are now. The so that aurora sinistra may mean the white, its opposite being niger, glossy excuse of youth won’t wash. unfavourable or inauspicious daybreak. Is black. But the Latin word for the Dumbledore’s brother Aberforth this a learned joke on Rowling’s part? Is unattractive pallid white is albus. If branded Albus as a master of secrets and daybreak seen as unfavourable because it Rowling wanted us to think of lies. Dumbledore certainly left Harry, is the moment at which astronomical Dumbledore as shining white she should Hermione and Ron to combat Voldemort observation becomes impossible? have called him Candidus. Instead she with only the sketchiest guidance. Maybe Dolores Umbridge is aptly named. In invites us to think of him as pallid and the choice of an unappealing first name is Latin dolores are pains, miseries: she caused colourless. meant to prepare the reader for a less than plenty of those. It seems unimaginable that an author uncritically favourable view of Professor Septima Vector taught as scholarly as Rowling should have Dumbledore. Arithmancy at Hogwarts, septima being the accidentally picked the wrong name for female form of the Latin word for Dumbledore, in some senses the pivotal ‘seventh’. Seven is a powerful figure of the whole Potter saga. What numerological entity. does she want us to feel about Conclusion Dumbledore? Rita Skeeter dug up some unsavoury truths about his early life, Using names with echoes of their Greek when in league with Gellert Grindelwald and Latin origins, Rowling reminds us that Albus Dumbledore he flirted with the notion that the we all inhabit a palace of knowledge and wizarding community should emerge culture built on foundations laid by our Finally we turn to Professor Albus from its secret world and openly dominate spiritual forebears. Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. The the Muggles, the very ideas that surfaced first name of the Hogwarts Headmaster is when the Death Eaters took control of David Butler, M.A. and etymologically problematic. In Latin there the Ministry of Magic. Whenever Rebecca Butler, Ed. D. are two words for ‘white’. One such word someone excuses Dumbledore for having