Charninja
07-25-2007, 04:46 PM
Well, kiddies, the 7th book is finally out, for better or worse. Quite a few people were disappointed in the discovery that Harry didn't become the most powerful wizard in the universe (though he MIGHT have, if he had kept the Elder Wand). Now though, I think it's time to discuss what being the most powerful wizard actually means.
There's the RPG theory, where magic is basically a natural statistic that can be built with practice, both in the number of spells one can cast before getting fatigued, and how powerful the spells actually are. Here, magic in and of itself is analogous to a normal muscle, where regular exercise brings power.
There's the natural talent theory, where magical power is basically pre-set at some point (probably in eutero). While there are ways to make the most of what you have, there's still that wall that simply can't be battered down. One can practice and train and focus all they want, but they still have a set limit.
There's the equal power theory, wherein magical power is, well, equal. Every person can cast any spell they study enough, as much as they want, given whatever special limitations may be inherent in a given spell. Power isn't decided by the individual's nature, but rather their dedication and focus on learning as many spells as possible. Here, it's not power, but adaptability and responsiveness that determines the victor in a duel.
Lastly, there's the specialization theory. Similar to the RPG theory, but in this idea, it's not the person's own power but the spell itself that is strengthened through use and study. Under the RPG theory, anyone who uses magic regularly can slowly build their power to the point where they levitate as easily as they can blow things up and read a person's thoughts as well as they can magic up a five star meal, so long they know the proper spells to begin with. With the specialization theory, it's the specific spells that are... specialized. One can focus on blowing things up and end up only barely able to levitate something because they just haven't bothered to work with it. The more they practice a spell, the more effective it is.
My personal belief on the matter is... it depends on the person. There are some people (Dumbledore and Voldemort and even Hermione) that just seem to be natural geniuses and only need to practice a given spell a little to humiliate everyone else who tries it. Neville is on the other end of the spectrum, because while he's a very good herbologist, he never really seems to get a good spell in without considerable luck.
Harry seems to personify the specialization theory, in that he's excellent at stunning and disarming, decent at levitating, but utter crap at occlumency. We don't really know enough about his other skills in things like transfiguration to know though.
Ron best shows the equal power theory. The problem is, he doesn't generally study very much. Under this theory, he could easily become very powerful indeed, but as he doesn't work particularly hard, he isn't. However, there have been a few occasions where his ingenuity saves the day, with the scene in the first book, where it's his idea to levitate the club into the ogre is a good example.
There is no shining example of the RPG theory that I can come up with, so it could, I suppose, be complete bunk. However, considering how little we actually know about so many of the characters, it's possible that we just haven't seen someone who does grow progressively more powerful because they were a minor character.
So... agree? Disagree? Please, discuss at your liesure.
There's the RPG theory, where magic is basically a natural statistic that can be built with practice, both in the number of spells one can cast before getting fatigued, and how powerful the spells actually are. Here, magic in and of itself is analogous to a normal muscle, where regular exercise brings power.
There's the natural talent theory, where magical power is basically pre-set at some point (probably in eutero). While there are ways to make the most of what you have, there's still that wall that simply can't be battered down. One can practice and train and focus all they want, but they still have a set limit.
There's the equal power theory, wherein magical power is, well, equal. Every person can cast any spell they study enough, as much as they want, given whatever special limitations may be inherent in a given spell. Power isn't decided by the individual's nature, but rather their dedication and focus on learning as many spells as possible. Here, it's not power, but adaptability and responsiveness that determines the victor in a duel.
Lastly, there's the specialization theory. Similar to the RPG theory, but in this idea, it's not the person's own power but the spell itself that is strengthened through use and study. Under the RPG theory, anyone who uses magic regularly can slowly build their power to the point where they levitate as easily as they can blow things up and read a person's thoughts as well as they can magic up a five star meal, so long they know the proper spells to begin with. With the specialization theory, it's the specific spells that are... specialized. One can focus on blowing things up and end up only barely able to levitate something because they just haven't bothered to work with it. The more they practice a spell, the more effective it is.
My personal belief on the matter is... it depends on the person. There are some people (Dumbledore and Voldemort and even Hermione) that just seem to be natural geniuses and only need to practice a given spell a little to humiliate everyone else who tries it. Neville is on the other end of the spectrum, because while he's a very good herbologist, he never really seems to get a good spell in without considerable luck.
Harry seems to personify the specialization theory, in that he's excellent at stunning and disarming, decent at levitating, but utter crap at occlumency. We don't really know enough about his other skills in things like transfiguration to know though.
Ron best shows the equal power theory. The problem is, he doesn't generally study very much. Under this theory, he could easily become very powerful indeed, but as he doesn't work particularly hard, he isn't. However, there have been a few occasions where his ingenuity saves the day, with the scene in the first book, where it's his idea to levitate the club into the ogre is a good example.
There is no shining example of the RPG theory that I can come up with, so it could, I suppose, be complete bunk. However, considering how little we actually know about so many of the characters, it's possible that we just haven't seen someone who does grow progressively more powerful because they were a minor character.
So... agree? Disagree? Please, discuss at your liesure.