Slytherin house in the Harry Potter series is one of the four houses at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Slytherins have a reputation for being cunning, ambitious, and resourceful. However, they are also often seen as having a darker side and producing many dark wizards. So what exactly is Slytherin house described as in the books and movies?
Ambitious
Ambition is one of the primary traits that defines Slytherins. The founder of the house, Salazar Slytherin, prized ambition in his students above all else. As the Sorting Hat says when sorting new students:
“Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends.”
Slytherins are focused on success and achieving their goals. They are determined and driven, which sometimes leads to cutting moral corners to get what they want. Former Slytherins who embody ambition include Horace Slughorn, a well-connected wizard who likes to collect famous and talented students, and Dolores Umbridge, who clawes her way up to power in the Ministry of Magic.
Cunning
Cunning and resourcefulness are also trademarks of Slytherin house. Slytherins are clever and know how to find the shortcuts and loopholes to accomplish their aims. They have a tendency to think outside the box and find sly solutions that others may miss.
The emphasis on cunning is one reason Slytherin has produced many powerful and skilled wizards, including Severus Snape and Tom Riddle. Both were masters of magic from a young age, showing Slytherin’s cunning and talent.
Self-Preservation
Slytherins tend to highly value self-preservation. They look out for themselves and their own interests above all else. This gives them a reputation for being selfish and only working for their own gain.
During the Battle of Hogwarts, the Slytherin students left rather than stay to fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters. This move was controversial, underscoring the Slytherin focus on self-interest.
Pure Blood Supremacy
One of the darker traits ascribed to Slytherin house is a belief in pure blood supremacy. Blood purity and anti-Muggle views were important to Salazar Slytherin. He disagreed with the other founders about admitting Muggle-born students to Hogwarts.
Though not universal among members, some Slytherins do buy into notions of blood purity and discriminate against Muggle-borns. This is seen in characters like Lucius Malfoy and other Death Eaters who support Voldemort’s anti-Muggle agenda.
Dark Magic and Dark Wizards
Slytherin has a reputation for producing dark witches and wizards. This dates back to Salazar Slytherin, who was rumored to have built the legendary Chamber of Secrets where a monster was hidden to purge the school of Muggle-borns.
Notable dark wizards from Slytherin include Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort), Dolores Umbridge, the maleficent Carrows, and Bellatrix Lestrange. This history cements Slytherin’s association with the Dark Arts in many people’s minds.
| Notable Slytherin | Description |
|---|---|
| Tom Riddle (Lord Voldemort) | The most evil wizard of all time, determined to achieve immortality and rid the world of Muggle-borns |
| Horace Slughorn | Well-connected professor who nurtures relationships with talented students |
| Dolores Umbridge | Ruthless Ministry bureaucrat who claws her way to power |
Leader in Wizarding Politics and Society
Slytherins use their ambition, cunning, and connections to attain leadership roles in the wizarding world. They can be found in top positions at the Ministry of Magic, Gringotts, Hogwarts, and other influential institutions.
For example, several Ministers for Magic have been Slytherin alumni including Ulick Gamp, Damocles Rowle, and Gormlaith Gaunt. They paved their roads to the top office not through morals but through shrewd tactics.
Clannish and Exclusive
Slytherins are known to be a tightly knit house that takes care of their own. There is a strong sense of shared identity and loyalty among Slytherins that comes before relationships with outsiders.
Slytherins tend to associate mainly with fellow house members while at Hogwarts. They support and look out for each other, even once they graduate. This clannishness adds to their isolation from other houses who view them warily.
Value Lineage and Heritage
With the emphasis on blood status in Slytherin house, lineage and heritage are hugely important. Having the “right” wizarding pedigree opens doors in Slytherin and proves your worth.
Slytherins take pride in coming from old, established wizarding families. Prominent surnames like Malfoy, Lestrange, Burke, and Gaunt hold cachet in Slytherin and the belief that magical blood should be kept pure in these elite families.
Secretive and Mysterious
Slytherins tend to be very guarded and secretive about sharing information, even with their own housemates. They reveal little and keep their true intentions and feelings mysterious.
Examples of this stealthiness include Draco Malfoy sneaking Death Eaters into Hogwarts and Severus Snape concealing his loyalty to Dumbledore while functioning as a double agent.
This aura of secrecy adds to others viewing Slytherins as untrustworthy and always working some type of angle behind the scenes.
Arrogant and Haughty
The pureblood mentality and ambition of many Slytherins leads them to act arrogant and haughty. They assume their blood status or abilities make them superior to others.
Draco Malfoy epitomizes this smugness and sense of entitlement. From his first meeting with Harry Potter on the Hogwarts Express, Malfoy lords his pureblood status over others he sees as inferior.
Fraternity-Like Brotherhood
The bonds between Slytherins, particularly Slytherin boys, are often described as fraternity-like. There is intense camaraderie and loyalty between members of the house.
Slytherins will watch out and defend their brothers even when it goes against morality or rules. For example, Montague was willing to take the fall when Fred and George shoved him into a broken Vanishing Cabinet.
Conclusion
So in summary, Slytherin house is depicted as cunning, ambitious, self-serving, and hungry for success no matter the cost. They believe strongly in blood purity and have produced many dark wizards. Slytherins highly value exclusivity, secrecy, heritage, and fraternity within their house.
However, Slytherin also produces leaders and masterminds who achieve great things through determination and cleverness. They are tightly bonded and supportive of members they deem worthy. Slytherins employ any means necessary to accomplish their ends.
While Slytherin shows many wicked wizards come from within their ranks, they see themselves as the elite house that sticks together and looks out for their own. Their ambitions and fraternity make them stand apart at Hogwarts.