Analysis of Harry Potter according to Propp's Narrative Role Theory
Protagonist- Harry Potter
Harry Potter sinks into the role of the protagonist perfectly, demonstrating all the key qualities that Propp suggests identify an protagonist, making it easier for an audience to identify the Protagonist. Harry, being the central character, is already an obvious candidate for the role but the fact that he embarks on a different journey of self discovery and of self sacrifice throughout each film fixates his character in the role of the protagonist.Character qualities such as courage, bravery, determination and heroic attitude also create an idealistic protagonist, making it easy for the audience to follow this story with admiration and respect for the lead role.
Antagonist-Lord Voldemort
Throughout all of the Harry Potter films, different antagonists present themselves; putting themselves in the way of Harry's quest and preventing him from achieving his goal of saving the wizarding world. These characters are those such as Bellatrix Lestrange, Barty Crouch Jr and Lucius Malfoy. However the most prominent and consistent villain is the dark Lord Voldemort, he fits perfectly into the role of the antagonist due to his past, he's already a villain, murderer and is determined to gain more power for himself. As well as this he merges cleverly into the role of the killer of Harry's parents, meaning that the audience already feel a sense of anger towards him and sympathy towards the protagonist.
Helpers- Ron and Hermione
Being Harry's best friends already offers the support of friendship but the qualities that these two characters are given are most important in helping the protagonist along his quest. For example, Hermione imparts wisdom onto Harry on several occasions boosting his support and filling her role as a helper; whereas Ron becomes somewhat Harry's backbone through the films, someone who he can rely on through thick and thin because they have a strong background of friendship and love. Other minor characters could also be perceived as helpers throughout these films, such as Godric Griffindor, a character who is heard of but never seen; in the Chamber of Secrets presents Harry with a sword which enables him to defeat the Basalisk in the chamber. However, I would argue that though Godric does present Harry with the objects that he needs, Ron and Hermione's constant and continuous support is much more valuable in the long run, in achieving final victory against Lord Voldemort.
Donor-Dumbledore
Dumbledore functions throughout the films as a donor/mentor who supplies Harry with the means to continue on his quest and grow as a character in courage and achievement. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban, he provides Harry's friend Hermione with the timeturner, which enables them to go back in time and fix all the endeavours which they couldn't achieve on their own; he also allows Harry and Hermione to make the journey back in time together as it means they grow in friendship which will benefit them later in the quest, as well as showing Harry is capabilities as a hero.
Mentor/Father- Sirius Black
Seen as Harry's parents are dead, they can only form a partial mentor/father role for Harry in infrequent flashbacks throughout the films, however the mentor/father figure is obtained in the character of his Godfather, Sirius Black. His fatherly approach and advice to Harry is given through his concerned letters throughout the stories as well as his evident hospitality, he gives Harry a home when his muggle relatives house feels like a prison. He also offers Harry a sense of hope, he creates more sympathy for Harry upon his death as he leaves Harry without any real family love. The audience are more engaged with the protagonist as they have been through true and hard emotion with him, the grief of loosing a loved one.
Princess-
Typically in Propp's Narrative Role Theory, the princess would be a woman or object that is glamorous and desirable, however through this film the entire wizarding race is classed as the princess; it is something that the antagonist threatens to destroy and it is also something that is precious to Harry himself; the sheer immensity of the princess in this series makes Harry's quest even more challenging creating a sense of enigma for the audience; we want him to triumph. The protagonist himself could also be classed as the princess, he has to sacrifice himself in order to save the wizarding world!
Anti-Hero-Severus Snape
Throughout the series of Harry Potter, Snape remains a character to whom we believe is a villain; targeting Harry from every angle and making it impossible for his endeavours to become complete. However we couldn't be more wrong! Snape turns out to become one of the most important 'helpers' that we could possibly imagine. This change in character at the end of the series makes Snape extremely vulnerable to us as an audience, we connect with the character more as we now know his secret. He becomes the Anti-Hero.
False Hero- Barty Crouch Jr
In the Goblet of Fire, The character of Mad Eye Moody is perceived through the entirety of the film as the helper-it is only at the very ending that it is revealed that he is an imposter, a man disguised as mad eye moody. Barty Crouch Jr, an escaped convict. His plan, to sabotage Potters quest and to send him to his demise and to Lord Voldemorts victory.
Protagonist- Harry Potter
Harry Potter sinks into the role of the protagonist perfectly, demonstrating all the key qualities that Propp suggests identify an protagonist, making it easier for an audience to identify the Protagonist. Harry, being the central character, is already an obvious candidate for the role but the fact that he embarks on a different journey of self discovery and of self sacrifice throughout each film fixates his character in the role of the protagonist.Character qualities such as courage, bravery, determination and heroic attitude also create an idealistic protagonist, making it easy for the audience to follow this story with admiration and respect for the lead role.
Antagonist-Lord Voldemort
Throughout all of the Harry Potter films, different antagonists present themselves; putting themselves in the way of Harry's quest and preventing him from achieving his goal of saving the wizarding world. These characters are those such as Bellatrix Lestrange, Barty Crouch Jr and Lucius Malfoy. However the most prominent and consistent villain is the dark Lord Voldemort, he fits perfectly into the role of the antagonist due to his past, he's already a villain, murderer and is determined to gain more power for himself. As well as this he merges cleverly into the role of the killer of Harry's parents, meaning that the audience already feel a sense of anger towards him and sympathy towards the protagonist.
Helpers- Ron and Hermione
Being Harry's best friends already offers the support of friendship but the qualities that these two characters are given are most important in helping the protagonist along his quest. For example, Hermione imparts wisdom onto Harry on several occasions boosting his support and filling her role as a helper; whereas Ron becomes somewhat Harry's backbone through the films, someone who he can rely on through thick and thin because they have a strong background of friendship and love. Other minor characters could also be perceived as helpers throughout these films, such as Godric Griffindor, a character who is heard of but never seen; in the Chamber of Secrets presents Harry with a sword which enables him to defeat the Basalisk in the chamber. However, I would argue that though Godric does present Harry with the objects that he needs, Ron and Hermione's constant and continuous support is much more valuable in the long run, in achieving final victory against Lord Voldemort.
Donor-Dumbledore
Dumbledore functions throughout the films as a donor/mentor who supplies Harry with the means to continue on his quest and grow as a character in courage and achievement. In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban, he provides Harry's friend Hermione with the timeturner, which enables them to go back in time and fix all the endeavours which they couldn't achieve on their own; he also allows Harry and Hermione to make the journey back in time together as it means they grow in friendship which will benefit them later in the quest, as well as showing Harry is capabilities as a hero.
Mentor/Father- Sirius Black
Seen as Harry's parents are dead, they can only form a partial mentor/father role for Harry in infrequent flashbacks throughout the films, however the mentor/father figure is obtained in the character of his Godfather, Sirius Black. His fatherly approach and advice to Harry is given through his concerned letters throughout the stories as well as his evident hospitality, he gives Harry a home when his muggle relatives house feels like a prison. He also offers Harry a sense of hope, he creates more sympathy for Harry upon his death as he leaves Harry without any real family love. The audience are more engaged with the protagonist as they have been through true and hard emotion with him, the grief of loosing a loved one.
Princess-
Typically in Propp's Narrative Role Theory, the princess would be a woman or object that is glamorous and desirable, however through this film the entire wizarding race is classed as the princess; it is something that the antagonist threatens to destroy and it is also something that is precious to Harry himself; the sheer immensity of the princess in this series makes Harry's quest even more challenging creating a sense of enigma for the audience; we want him to triumph. The protagonist himself could also be classed as the princess, he has to sacrifice himself in order to save the wizarding world!
Anti-Hero-Severus Snape
Throughout the series of Harry Potter, Snape remains a character to whom we believe is a villain; targeting Harry from every angle and making it impossible for his endeavours to become complete. However we couldn't be more wrong! Snape turns out to become one of the most important 'helpers' that we could possibly imagine. This change in character at the end of the series makes Snape extremely vulnerable to us as an audience, we connect with the character more as we now know his secret. He becomes the Anti-Hero.
False Hero- Barty Crouch Jr
In the Goblet of Fire, The character of Mad Eye Moody is perceived through the entirety of the film as the helper-it is only at the very ending that it is revealed that he is an imposter, a man disguised as mad eye moody. Barty Crouch Jr, an escaped convict. His plan, to sabotage Potters quest and to send him to his demise and to Lord Voldemorts victory.