The Impact of Norse Mythology on the Portrayal and Use of Creatures in "Harry Potter" (PDF)

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2021 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 3.0, University of Trier, language: English, abstract: How did Norse myths affect the narration of creatures in Harry Potter, and what effect does the narration have on the story and the reader? The focus will be on serpents, werewolves and deer-shaped animals.
First, a section on theoretical background introduces the concept and construct of mythology and explains its functions. In this part, the lack of discussion of Norse mythology in the sample literature is explicated, and an overview of Norse myths is given. The foundation for this is the Prose Edda, a textbook on Norse mythology compiled by the Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson, which was chosen because it is considered the most detailed collection. Since knowledge of the content of Harry Potter is presumed, a summary is omitted, but terms of significance are explained briefly to ensure a coherent and complete understanding of the discussion. This is followed by the comparison of serpents, (were-)wolves and deer-shaped animals to their respective origins in Norse mythology and their occurrences in Harry Potter. In the subchapters on the respective animals, the impact on the narrative in J.K. Rowling's work and on the reader is analysed. The final section presents the conclusions that will be drawn.