10 Times Harry Potter took inspiration from The Lord of The Rings

The worlds of The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter share more than magic and adventure. These two stories reflect timeless themes of good versus evil, sacrifice, and destiny. From wise mentors to powerful artifacts, J.K. Rowling drew inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien's legendary fantasy. Here are 10 times Harry Potter took inspiration from The Lord of The Rings.

Please note that this entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

1) The Wise Old Wizard

In the Harry Potter books, Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings is frequently mentioned as a major inspiration for Albus Dumbledore. Both wizards are portrayed as powerful, wise mentors who help young heroes fight against overwhelming evil. They are similar because they have long white beards and a deep understanding of the universe. Overcoming the darkness that threatens their domains depends heavily on their advice.

2) Aragog and Shelob

In Harry Potter's story, "Aragog" is a depiction of the giant spider "Shelob," who is a creation of J.R.R. Tolkien from "The Lord of the Rings." The deadly category of arthropods represents fatal threats against each of their leading story characters. Aragog shows steadfast loyalty apart from his intricate behavioral habits, while Shelob presents as an entity whose wicked nature intensifies as darkness and trouble approach. Through the invented system of character traits, the Harry Potter authors acknowledge the ideas of Tolkien's spider, yet they modify its essence with Harry Potter's magic rules.

3) The Invisibility Cloak and the One Ring

Within the Harry Potter universe, Harry Potter possesses an Invisibility Cloak that provides concealment in the same manner as the Lord of the Rings character who has the One Ring which functions as a piece of jewelry that grants vague invisibility support. Yet, the first element has magical powers, whereas the latter depends on ring ownership for its workings.

4) Ringwraiths and Dementors

J.R.R. Tolkien's Ringwraiths functioned as the original basis for J.K. Rowling to develop Dementors throughout the Harry Potter novels. The two ghostly beings create intense fear & deep helplessness due to their dark appearance. However, the Dementor director conducts life energy extraction through soul harvesting during his confrontation with Ringwraiths whose target is the One Ring that started as a corrupted royal artifact. Thus, two entities represent the complete loss that human beings face.

5) Prophecies

J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" predictions served as a source of inspiration for J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series. In "The Two Towers," the plot is driven by Frodo's prophecy to destroy the One Ring. Similarly, the fate of Voldemort and Harry is also predicted in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," which influences their epic conflict. Combining aspects of destiny, date, and the fight against evil, both predictions focus on chosen individuals who must face evil forces.

6) Horcruxes and the One Ring

There are thematic similarities between the One Ring from the Lord of the Rings and the Horcruxes from Harry Potter. While Voldemort's Horcruxes hold pieces of his soul for immortality, the One Ring represents Sauron's essence & fuels its drive for dominance. Both items play a significant role in their stories & provide dangerous adventures. For example, Harry's quest to locate and eliminate Horcruxes leads to the final conflict with ultimate evil. Similarly, the scene regarding Frodo's goal to destroy the One Ring runs parallel with the Harry Potter universe.

7) Elves and House-elves

The way Tolkien portrayed Elves in The Lord of the Rings served as a model for Rowling's creation of House-elves in Harry Potter. House elves are obedient, diminutive, and skilled in magic in contrast to the Elves. Elves are noble, strong, and soaring. Both races give their realms a greater complexity. Themes of independence and slavery are highlighted by Dobby's devotion and sad end, which parallel Gollum's complicated relationship with the One Ring.

8) Sauron’s Eye and Voldemort’s Influence

Sauron's universal Eye in The Lord of the Rings is comparable to Voldemort's influence in Harry Potter. Sauron's eye represents power and terror, which is always on guard and searching for the One Ring. Similarly, Voldemort's presence instills fear throughout the wizarding world despite his lack of corporeal form. Moreover, Voldemort's resurrection sequence in "The Goblet of Fire" is reminiscent of Sauron's comeback to power. Thus, both villains stand for evil forces that want to rule their planet.

9) Underground Journeys

Tolkien's Mines of Moria and J.K. Rowling's "Chamber of Secrets" both deal with deadly underground travel. In "The Fellowship of the Ring," the group confronts the Balrog while navigating the perilous, shadowy tunnels of Moria. Similarly, in "The Chamber of Secrets," Harry and his friends descend to Hogwarts to battle the Basilisk. The characters in both scenarios show bravery with team collaboration while battling hidden threats beneath the ground.

10) The Final Battle

The climactic chapters of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" depict powerful ending fights with dark oppositions. Harry leads his supporters through intense combat against Voldemort's invaders until they succeed in defeating the dark wizard. Aragorn and Gandalf led their allies to fight against Sauron's forces in the "Battle of the Pelennor Fields." The battle resulted in Sauron's destruction and the defeat of the One Ring. Through both scenes, the narrative focuses on characters who display bravery and selfless sacrifices while highlighting how good principles destroy evil forces.

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Thus, we can conclude that despite having narrative styles, Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings share themes and influences that show the timeless appeal of fantasy.

The epic conflicts, enduring protagonists, and magical creatures in both stories enthrall the audience. These similarities serve as a reminder that timeless tales encourage people of all ages to embrace camaraderie, bravery & the struggle against evil.