This week we consider how "Dr Faustus" (1592) by Christopher Marlowe speaks to Chapter of "Philosopher's Stone". We think about who is the most "Faustian" character - Quirrell or Voldemort? What does it mean to make a pack with the devil? We also ponder the idea of redemption and its relation to the judgement of good and evil.

Thanks for coming on this literary journey with us! 

We're back with Chapter Fifteen The Forbidden Forest, look at it alongside Book Five of Homer's "The Iliad". We discuss the centaurs's warnings of "Mars is bright tonight" and think about the ferocity and terror of war. We regard the ways in which Dumbledore parallels Zeus and think about the role of fate and Harry's destiny.

This week we're considering Chapter Thirteen, Nicolas Flamel, and Hamlet (Act I, Scene V). We discuss the distinction between duty and desire in relation to Ron and Harry's actions in this chapter. We also think about trust amongst friends, and finding important information from unusual sources.  

We're examining Chapter Twelve, The Mirror of Erised, in parallel with the story of Narcissus as told in Ovid's Metamorphoses. We discuss Harry's welcome into the Weasley family at Christmas, and the gift of the Invisibility Cloak with the message "use it well". We also consider the dangers of desire and obsession when it comes to the Mirror of Erised. We look at Harry and Ron's distinct desires reflected back at them, and muse over Dumbledore's words that "it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live"...

This week we're examining Chapter Eleven, Quidditch, along with the story of Jason and the Golden Fleece from Apollonius's "Argonautica". We discuss the similarities between Hermione and Medea's magic and heroism We also consider the relationship between the sacred and the profane at Hogwarts. We give more thought to the ideas of bravery and recklessness, and what these ideas mean for our rule-breaking trio.