Post by zan189 on Jul 24, 2007 16:33:05 GMT -5
Lesson One – What is a magical creature?
Welcome, students, to your first Care of Magical Creatures lesson. Since this is the purely theoretical part, please follow me out into the courtyard, where you will take a seat around me in a semi-circle (I'll conjure you cushions) so you can take notes.
For many centuries, the classification of magical beasts/ creatures vs. magical beings was controversial.
In the 14th century, every creature that used their hind legs to move about was considered a magical being, which included Trolls but left out Centaurs. This ended in some disastrous meetings of the Wizard’s Council (precursor to the Ministry of Magic) in which Trolls invited to what was supposed to be a summit conference of all magical beings, smashed all the furniture, and Hags were looking for children to eat.
Finally, in the year 1811, Grogan Stump in his function as newly elected Minister for Magic passed a decree stating that a magical being is any creature with the ability to understand laws of the magical community, and to participate in forming them.
In effect, this definition of magical beings clearly shows what kind of creatures are to be called “magical beasts” or simply, “magical creatures”:
A peruvian vipertooth, for example, has such a strong taste for humans that it is incapable of following the most principal of all laws – not to kill (a human).
A troll is dumber even than the most dimwitted unicorn, so he cannot actively (and wisely) join magical community life or help establishing laws.
Many highly intelligent species are considered “magical creatures” for their violent, uncontrollable natures (e.g. Acromantulas) even though they can use human language.
A werewolf, on the other hand, only turns into a wild and murderous beast once a month during full moon; the greater part of their lives are spent as reasonable beings and closely connected to a human society. Therefore, Werewolves have always been very hard to classify.
This order, we must not forget, was done by humans. Centaurs and Merpeople do not accept to be put in one group or the other without their consent, so even though humans would classify them as “magical beings”, they choose for themselves and refuse to be called so. Thus, they set themselves apart from creatures such as Vampires and Hags with which they do not wish to have anything in common.
Homework:
As the first lesson was put up rather late, I will not assign homework this week. However, if you wish to reward your house some bonus points, you may answer the following question (to be handed in via PM by Friday 8 pm, board time):
What do you think of the classification of magical creatures into “magical beasts/ creatures” and “magical beings”?
Is it necessary and should it be done by humans only?
Write at least 300 words.
