How does the use of magic in Harry Potter stories compare with that in the Prose Edda or in the Zuni Emergence myth?

 

Answer:

The answer talks about the similarities between Harry Potter and Prose Edda

Step-by-step explanation

There are quite some similarities between Prose Edda and Harry Potter. It's well known that J K Rowling is an avid and erudite reader and we find that the names of the characters and spells that she uses in Harry Potter are derivatives of different languages and suggestive. For Eg. Remus Lupin, Harry's Defence against the Dark Arts teacher in 3rd year is suspected of being a werewolf, and turns out to be one at the end of the book. Dumbledore's name has been derived from ' bumblebee' and many other such suggestive hints are strewn across the books.

In terms of the magic being related to Prose Edda, definitely there are some similarities. Prose Edda, that deals with Norse mythology has inspired many characters and their traits or identifications in the book. First, Thor, the Norse God of Thunder who is a main figure in norse mythology has similarity to Harry in terms of Harry having a lightening bolt scar on his forehead. Another one is Professor Sybil Trelawney in Harry Potter, she is the one who makes important prophesies in the books and she is also the namesake of the Norse seer who foretold many events of the Norse Canon.

Then there is the character of Voldemort who has drawn inspiration from the Loki in Norse mythology. In the last book there is battle between the Order and the Death Eaters led by Voldemort, a similar battle called Ragnarok is fought in norse mythology by the Norse Gods and the Chaos forces led by Loki. The forces of chaos included giants, zombies from the dead and Jormungandr, a colossal venomous snake, it is similar to the army that Voldemort builds consisting of giants, death eaters, inferi and Nagini, his horcrux serpent.

There is also the character of Fenrir Greyback, a werewolf death eater in Harry potter, who is the namesake of Loki's son who is also a wolf.