Blog Prompt #2 Trust and Fear; Love and Hate – the juxtaposition of Voldemort and Dumbledore

Throughout the series we have seen the development of Lord Voldemort and Albus Dumbledore as the leaders of two opposing factions, the Death Eaters and the Order of the Phoenix. Their positions and their characters are reflected in the values they cultivate in their followers as well as the reasons their opponents despise them. For both Dumbledore and Voldemort the cultivation of trust and fear are evident from the beginning of the series while the manifestation of love and hate develop later. In a conversation with McGonagall in Chapter 1 of the Sorcerer’s Stone both the issue of Dumbledore’s trust as well as Voldemort’s fear is fleshed out as Dumbledore would trust Hagrid with his life and McGonagall notes that Voldemort is afraid of Dumbledore. The key concept here is the basis of Voldemort’s and Dumbledore’s relationships; Voldemort’s are based upon fear while Dumbldore’s are based upon trust. Voldemort cultivated this fear, essentially making everyone unable to speak it. However, in the Sorcerer’s Stone Dumbledore reassures harry to call Voldemort as such because “fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself,” (pg. 298).This is evidenced again when Voldemort returns to power in the Goblet of Fire as he notes Wormtail returned to him out of fear not loyalty, trust, or concern.

Likewise, the slower development of love and hate reflect the guidance of Dumbledore in building Harry’s nature and morality. In discussing with Harry the prophecy in the Half-Blood Prince Dumbledore notes the importance of the phrase “power the Dark Lord knows not,” referencing the capacity for love Harry has which has protected and will allow him to defeat Voldemort (pg. 509). We see the evidence of Voldemort’s hatred beginning with the hatred of his Muggle father, Tom Riddle, Sr. before expanding to include the hatred of Muggles in general, Mugbloods, and blood traitors.

Perhaps the biggest and most difficult example of trust and love that Dumbledore has, is his unquestionable trust of Severus Snape. It is this unwavering and steadfast trust even in the face of death that shakes and shapes this series. In the Half-Blood Prince, Dumbledore, in response to Harry about Snape’s loyalty to Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix, states, “I am sure. I trust Severus Snape completely.” (pg. 549) Knowing Snape’s actions as well as his repeated contempt (and removal of house points) for Harry, it is understandable how Harry cannot comprehend why Dumbledore trusts Snape and knowing what we do at the end of book 6 it is hard to question Harry’s hatred and continued mistrust of Snape. ’s hatred and continued mistrust of Snape. Only the last book will hold the answer to whether or not Dumbledore’s faith and trust are sound as Lupin says, “It comes down to whether or not you trust Dumbledoré judgment. I do; therefore I trust Severus.”