The Courageous Harry Potter

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In J.K. Rowlings' series of books, Harry Potter, the virtues that Aristotle said were key to living more than an unexamined and pointless life really shine through in the character of Harry. We see one of Aristotle's teaching almost immediately in the first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, where Harry reluctantly calls Lord Voldemort "You-Know-Who" and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" rather than by his proper name because his half-giant pal, Hagrid, informed him that this was how things work in the wizarding world. Yet, this goes against Aristotle's advice: "The first step to wisdom is calling something by its proper name," a notion echoed later by the seemingly-omniscient, Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, when he says, "Call him Voldemort, Harry. Always use the proper name for things. Fear of a name increases fear of the thing itself." These wise words stick with Harry, and he refuses to say "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named" again until the final book of the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, where he uses that name only to protect his friends from Voldemort's followers, the Death Eaters.

Aristotle also taught that "courage is a midpoint between two extremes in our reaction to danger: the extreme of too little...cowardice, and the extreme of two much...rashness," and Harry exhibits courage throughout all seven books beyond what could ever be expected of someone his age. Gryffindor House, home to Harry for all of his years at Hogwarts, is symbolized by the lion and the members are chosen for that house based on their courage, even when it seems that they have none, as it seemed was true for Neville Longbottom. Harry often has the courage to push onward despite not being completely confident in his actions. For example, in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry went into the second task of the Triwizard Tournament with just some gillyweed, a root that gives you fishlike abilities and looks, that was given to him by an often reckless house-elf, Dobby, just a few minutes before the competition was to begin, yet, he plunged in the water headfirst after swallowing the gillyweed and came in second in the task, losing only because his love for his friends and desire to see them transported safely back slowed him. Harry musters his courage using five key ingredients: preparing for the challenge, surrounding himself with support, engaging in positive self-talk, focussing on what's at stake, and taking appropriate actions. Harry prepares for challenges daily through his spellwork and Quidditch practice, but he worked extremely hard to get ready for the third task in the Triwizard Tournament, staying up late into the night practicing diligently with Hermione and Ron. Also, through all his years at Hogwarts he had been preparing for the final challenge, his final showdown with Lord Voldemort himself. In each book, Harry had immense support as well, whether it be from Hermione, Ron, Dumbledore, Lupin, Sirius, Neville, Luna, Ginny, or the Order of the Phoenix, he knew that he could count on someone to support him through his trials and tribulations. Harry also used positive self-talk to work up some courage, for example, he tells Ron, "See you in a bit," despite walking towards impending doom in the form of a giant basilisk and Lord Voldemort. He lacks confidence in this moment, but he is nevertheless steadfast in his courage to fight on. Next, Harry has to focus on what's at stake, whether it be his life, Ginny Weasley's life down with the basilisk, or the lives of five of his best friends as he leads them into the Department of Mysteries in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry is rarely willing to risk these lives, but "great values cast out fear," and his courage tells him do what you must to succeed for the good of the world. Finally, he takes appropriate action. The best example of this, perhaps in any book ever, is in the final book of the series, where he willingly walks through the Forbidden Forest to Voldemort and willingly gives his life because it is the only way that Lord Voldemort can be defeated. I will not ruin the end of the series, but his willingness to die for others to live proves that his courage is surpassed by none.

Thus, through following the teachings of great leaders in the past, Aristotle, and the present (at least in the Wizarding world), Dumbledore, Harry shows that courage and self-confidence can boost one forward to success.

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