Draco – Draco is a constellation that looks like a dragon but is a snake. In Latin, Draco means “dragon.” There was also a Greek ruler named Draco who developed a system of severe punishments for the smallest of crimes. “Draconian” means “harsh or cruel.” In Romanian, “drac” means “devil.”
Malfoy – In Latin, “malus” means “bad” and “mal” means “pale.” “Mal foi” means “bad faith, an act with bad intentions, or a malicious act” in French. “Mal de foi” means a “loss of faith.” The similar French phrase “Mal fait” can be interpeted as “badly made” or “evil deeds.” In Portuguese, (J.K. Rowling taught English in Portugal for a few years) “Mal foi” means “was bad” or “is bad.” In Arthurian legends, Lancelot (King Arthur’s greatest knight and his betrayor) is sometimes called “Le Chevallier Mal Fait” (the “mal fait” knight). “Foy” means “a farewell feast, drink, or gift, as at a wedding.”
I have some rather mixed feelings about Draco. In some ways, I really like his character. I wouldn’t say love though because his demeanor doesn’t always make sense to me. He’s one of those characters that I may never make up my mind about. I thought that I loved him, but the more I think about him, the more I realize he’s just a bully.
Obviously, it makes sense that there’s the whole snake reference in his name, he’s in Slytherin. Malfoy believes that muggle-borns should be treated harshly because of their parentage, which is not exactly something they had control over. Malfoy definitely has his devilish moments as well. The surname is amazing to me. Mal means pale, they all have pale blonde hair and pale skin. Malus meaning bad – they’re all bullies (but their one redeeming quality is their love for one another). I think the “mal de foi” is more important. Clearly, there has to be a reason that Lucius joined the Death Eaters. Maybe he lost his faith in the Ministry? I love that there are so many different interpretations of every character’s name.
Sometimes, I felt bad for Draco. Maybe he was raised that way and he didn’t know any better. But you always hope that they start to realize when they get away from their parents. But I think Harry really hurt Draco on the day they met. He insulted him. But at the same time, Draco’s a jerk. Why does he find it necessary to beat up on everyone? I never got that. I guess it’s like understanding a bully, and sure his father was a Death Eater and all, but Lucius adored Draco. I guess my point it, I’m not sure always how I feel about Draco. I sometimes think people love Draco because they love Tom Felton. Though I love the Harry Potter Fandom, often I think people mix their love for the actors with their love of the characters (like Bellatrix).
Don’t get me wrong, I know that when Draco is attempting to kill Dumbledore, he does it to save himself and his family, but Dumbledore wanted to help him. Dumbledore offered him safety and protection, but Draco was too stubborn to take it. After that, I really thought that Draco had changed, but then at the Battle of Hogwarts, you realize he’s always going to be the same bully. The kid that does what he’s told.
I honestly wish that Draco would have realized his mistakes and tried to reconcile with Harry. It upsets me that Draco never really changed. He has all these chances to turn it around and make himself better, but he never does.
Draco was always rather pompous. Always boasting about how rich he was and all the connections his father has, but why? I never got that. His father scolded him when he was being a pompous ass and yet he still carried on acting that way. I guess, like all bullies, he puts on this façade of indifference and “I’m-better-than-you” but I never understood him. And I don’t like that I don’t understand him.
Though there are definitely parts of Draco’s character that I hate, I do love certain parts. I also believe that Tom Felton did an excellent portrayal of him, especially in the 6th movie. Right before Harry casts “sectumsempra” on Draco, you see Draco breaking down. He feels so conflicted because he doesn’t want to do what Voldemort has asked him to do, but at the same time he doesn’t want to sign off his own death. I can’t really blame him for that.
People claim that Draco is really just “misunderstood,” but I’m not sure that he’s all that misunderstood. He doesn’t have a lot of choice in his life, his father and Voldemort have pretty much taken care of that for him, but what else is there to be misunderstood about him? He’s a bully, probably because his father bullied him. Are they claiming then that every bully is just simply misunderstood? I’m not sure I would agree with that. But at the same time, I do believe that Draco isn’t pure evil. I think it’s a lot to do with nature versus nurture. If he had been raised in a different household, he would have been a completely different person, but I don’t think that excuses him. In a way, Draco is like the victim of his father’s lifestyle and choices.
Something I just remembered. When the trio is caught by Snatchers, Draco is very reluctant to identify Harry. Another thing that I don’t understand. I’m not sure that he wanted to help them, or he just wanted to protect his family in case he was wrong. Plus he’s terrified of Voldemort, why would he purposely call Voldemort there?
I’m really sorry if this post makes no sense. Draco is just an extremely complicated character in my eyes.
I almost don’t want to put quotes because Draco is just so rude sometimes…but I’ll put a few and here’s a link for more quotes and here’s one for more information.
“You’ll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.”
“Azkaban – the wizard’s prison, Goyle. Honestly, if you were any slower, you’d be going backwards.” (SEE! He’s even a jerk to his “friends!”)
“Think my name’s funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford.”
My list of characters to talk about is starting to get short, so who do you want to hear about next week?