Unforgivable: Analyzing the worst curse in Harry Potter
I’ll start this off by saying that while I’m a fan of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, I do not support her social/political beliefs, nor do I consume the products that come out of the Wizarding World without forethought on where my values lie. That aside, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was a cornerstone of my growing up. I’d discuss ad nauseam aspects of the world, the lore, the stories, and envision myself whisked away into the magical world of the FICTIONAL 90’s UK.
But one aspect of magic always got me and my little discussion group going: Which Unforgiveable Curse was the worst?
In the series, there are three Unforgivable Curses, each with its own form of severity and consequences.
- The Killing Curse (Avada Kedavra): Instantly kills the victim without causing any physical harm. It's often considered the worst because it directly causes death, leaving no chance for the victim to survive or be healed.
- The Cruciatus Curse (Crucio): Inflicts intense pain on the victim, akin to torture. While it doesn't cause death, its effects can be psychologically damaging and can have long-term impacts on the victim's mental health.
- The Imperius Curse (Imperio): Allows the caster to control the actions of the victim, effectively taking away their free will. It can be used to make a person commit acts they would normally find abhorrent, but it doesn't inherently cause physical harm or pain.
The perception of which curse is the "worst" can vary depending on the context and individual values. If you value life above all, the Killing Curse may be considered the worst. However, if you value autonomy or mental wellbeing, the Imperius or Cruciatus Curses could be viewed as more severe due to their long-term effects and the violation of personal freedom and integrity. But what are all the arguments we could make for them?