10 Quotes That Sum Up Harry Potter as a Character (2024)

Carrying the epic Harry Potter franchise on one's back is no small feat. Because of this, the series must be led by a relatable hero who is also a complex and layered character. Harry Potter is an excellent example of such a hero. While on the surface, he may appear to be an arrogant, popular jock who always gets his way, looking deeper into Harry's psyche and experiences reveals a whole world of conflicts and beliefs that shape his actions. While Harry remains on the side of good and defeats Voldemort at the end of the series, he is not perfect throughout his journey, and his flaws are what make him an interesting character.

Harry is not simply an empty shell for the audience to project themselves onto. He is unique in many ways, such as his sense of humour, his introverted nature, and his anger and pride issues, which often get him in trouble. He has a very strong mindset and way of approaching obstacles that make a real impression on those around him. In all of his actions and words, it is clear that Harry is motivated by his core beliefs in friendship, loyalty, and goodness. These are the best examples of quotes from the Harry Potter movie series that accurately represent this character's beliefs, traits, and flaws.

10 "Blimey, Harry. You've slayed dragons. If you can't get a date, who can?"

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' (2005)

This hilarious quote of Ron's demonstrates the dichotomy between who Harry is and how the world sees him. On the surface, Harry has it all figured out. He defeated Voldemort as a baby, rising to fame and popularity, got selected as the youngest, extra, Triwizard Tournament competitor, and proved his competence by outsmarting the dragon in his first task. Despite his accomplishments, however, Harry is still a regular teenager, and believes that only luck allowed him to achieve these miraculous feats. Because of his imposter syndrome, Harry's self-esteem is not as high as outsiders may expect, and he still struggles with normal challenges like getting the courage to ask his crush out.

This tension between how Harry sees himself compared to how others see him is central to Harry's character, and prevalent throughout the series. Harry grew up in a household that treated him like he was worthless, and could never do anything right. Even when he is introduced to the Wizarding World, where everyone tells him that he is special and a hero, it is difficult for Harry to shake the idea that he is somehow not good enough. Harry's low self-esteem is established from his earliest experiences, and he carries it with him throughout his journey.

9 “I’ve always admired your courage, Harry, but sometimes you can be really thick.”

'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' (2009)

This is said by Hermione in response to Harry telling her and Ron that he needs to go destroy Voldemort's Horcruxes on his own at the end of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Hermione, emotionally intelligent as always, responds to this by bringing up one of Harry's core flaws: that he prioritizes his friends' well-being to the detriment of his own survival and success. He is a Gryffindor through and through, willing to blindly march into danger in order to protect his loved ones, but he tends to take this too far. Hermione, Ron and Harry all know that Harry is unlikely to succeed on his own, but Harry would rather fail at his mission than put his friends in danger.

It is not only Harry's low self-esteem that causes him to care less about his own well-being. Harry's arrogance makes him believe that he must protect everyone around him and that his friends cannot make their own decisions. He is full of good intentions, but his idealistic savior complex prevents him from making rational conclusions. Of course, Ron and Hermione care about defeating Voldemort just as much as he does, and of course, the three are always strongest when working together. Harry must learn that friendship is a two-way street to reach his full potential.

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

PG

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Release Date

July 15, 2009

Director

David Yates

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Michael Gambon , Alan Rickman , Tom Felton

Runtime

153 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

8 "Voldemort killed my parents. He was nothing more than a murderer.”

'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' (2002)

Harry says this in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in response to Lucius Malfoy referring to Voldemort as "legend," revealing his refusal to mythologize people that others deem powerful. With propaganda and public perception being a huge theme of the Harry Potter series, it is incredibly important that Harry refuses to give in to fearmongering and idolization. Harry literally calls Voldemort what he truly is, rejecting the overwrought fear that has the rest of the Wizarding community in its grip. He even impresses this notion on his friends later in the series, as Hermione eventually agrees that "fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." Harry refuses to indulge in the overinflated image of Voldemort that his supporters, like the Malfoys, want to perpetrate.

Harry's disillusionment with over-inflated public personas stems from his own experience, as just like Voldemort accrued the title "He Who Must Not Be Named," Harry was given the moniker of "The Chosen One" before he was old enough to talk. He knows better than anyone how little public perception aligns with who one actually is and, therefore, chooses to judge people by their actions rather than the legends and whispers that have sprung up around them. This is one of Harry's core beliefs, and one that shapes how he sees the world around him.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

PG

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Mystery

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

November 13, 2002

Director

Chris Columbus

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , Richard Griffiths , Fiona Shaw , Harry Melling

Runtime

161

Main Genre

Adventure

7 “You may be the Chosen One, mate, but this is a whole lot bigger than that.”

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One' (2010)

This quote sums up Harry's struggle to reconcile with who he is and the power he holds. Ron says this to Harry near the beginning of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One, right after the Order of the Phoenix's mission to transport Harry, was successful but suffered the casualties of Mad-Eye Moody and George Weasley's ear. In classic Harry fashion, he takes these losses to heart, believing them to be all his fault, and decides to embark on his Horcrux-destroying quest on his own to save those around him from the danger of his proximity. Ron sees right through this, however, and, in this quote, reminds Harry that, even though he is the Chosen One, and plays an integral part in the fight against evil, that does not mean he is responsible for saving everyone.

Like anyone in a similar situation, Harry can't bear to see those around him hurt because of who he is. However, the weight of being the Chosen One often blinds him to others' agency and the larger situation beyond his individual experience. Moody didn't die because Harry happened to be passing by with Voldemort on his tail. He took a strategic risk based on, yes, his love for Harry, but moreso, for the greater war effort. Because of his trauma and complicated relationship with his public perception, it becomes difficult for Harry to be around those he loves. The burden of being "the Chosen One" is a crucial aspect of Harry's character.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1

PG-13

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

October 17, 2010

Director

David Yates

Cast

Bill Nighy , Emma Watson , Richard Griffiths , Harry Melling , Daniel Radcliffe , Julie Walters

Runtime

147

Main Genre

Adventure

6 “I didn't put my name in that cup! I don't want eternal glory, I just wanna be... look, I don't know what happened tonight and I don't know why. It just did.”

'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' (2005)

This quote represents Harry's eternal battle with glory. Harry says this at an extremely vulnerable moment when he realizes that Ron believes that he put his name in the Goblet of Fire on purpose. As someone who grew up neglected and abused, as soon as he entered Hogwarts, he couldn't escape all eyes on him. It's especially upsetting for Harry that not even his best friend understands his fraught relationship with attention. He sees recognition, positive or negative, as a curse, one that continues to follow him no matter what he does.

All Harry wants is to be a regular Hogwarts student and to have a family that loves him. He would have been perfectly happy to watch the Triwizard Tournament from the sidelines, cheering on Cedric, spending time with his friends, and working up the courage to ask out Cho Chang. To Ron, whose plague is feeling invisible in his large family and with Harry, it feels like the worst betrayal for his already-famous best friend to be vying for even more attention in the Triwizard Tournament. In reality, though, Harry would give anything to be in Ron's shoes. Harry's desire to be normal persists throughout the series, and only in the epilogue does he achieve it.

5 “I’m very impressed. That suggests that what you fear most of all... is fear itself. This is very wise.”

'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004)

This insightful comment from Professor Lupin in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban encapsulates what sets Harry apart from his enemies and from his friends. Harry's classmates, as seen when they confront the Boggart, are all afraid of concrete things, like spiders, clowns, and giant snakes. Lupin is afraid of the full moon and of what he becomes when he sees it. Even Voldemort fears death, and his paranoid efforts to avoid it make him do terrible things. In contrast, Harry believes that fear itself is more dangerous than what we fear, and that approaching danger without fear gives one much more of a fighting chance.

This is why the dementors are Harry's worst fear. They prey on his worst memories, dragging him into them and trapping him in their misery. It disturbs Harry greatly to be so weak and unable to protect himself from his own mind, a fear that spurs Harry on to learn how to cast a patronus. The ability to conjure up a good memory of a loved one to protect him as he marches into danger becomes Harry's greatest strength, and how he ultimately triumphs over Voldemort.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

PG

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Mystery

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

May 31, 2004

Director

Alfonso Cuarón

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe , Richard Griffiths , Pam Ferris , Fiona Shaw , Harry Melling , Adrian Rawlins

Runtime

141

Main Genre

Adventure

4 “We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are.”

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (2007)

This Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix quote represents the transience of Harry's identity and how important it is that he chooses good instead of it coming naturally to him. Throughout his journey, Harry is presented with alternate paths to follow. The Sorting Hat tells him that he "could be great" in Slytherin, Draco Malfoy asks him to join his crew, and Voldemort even invites Harry to join him at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In each instance, however, Harry chooses good. He begs to be sorted into "not Slytherin," refuses induction into Pure-Blood circles, and isn't enticed by Voldemort's promises of extraordinary power. However, darkness still exists within Harry, even if he chooses light every time, and his guilt about this is exacerbated when he starts having visions of Voldemort's actions from Voldemort's perspective.

Harry greatly fears how easily he could slip into evil if he doesn't actively choose not to, but in this quote, Sirius points out that this very fear makes Harry a good person. Harry is good because he is tempted by evil but purposefully turns away from it. He and Voldemort, sharing a soul and very similar upbringings, contain the same darkness, but while Voldemort embraces this completely, becoming the Dark Lord, Harry breaks the cycle and chooses lightness despite all the darkness inside him. Harry's power lies in his ability to choose good.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

PG-13

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Mystery

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

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Release Date

June 28, 2007

Director

David Yates

Cast

Daniel Radcliffe , Harry Melling , Jason Boyd , Richard Macklin , Kathryn Hunter , Miles Jupp

Runtime

138

Main Genre

Adventure

3 “I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks.”

'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001)

This quote marks an early instance of Harry stating his confidence in his judgment and his refusal to be swayed by intimidation or the promise of power. Harry has just been plunged, head-first, into a secret world that he had never heard of before—a magical community that he doesn't understand but that somehow considers him powerful. And, while he has met some nice kids on the train, he is still largely alone, forced to navigate these foreign social hierarchies with his newfound fame and influence on the fly. Despite all this, Harry immediately knows that Draco Malfoy is not who he wants to associate with.

All of Harry's interactions with Draco thus far have established him as someone who cares more about power and status than about genuine relationships. Draco didn't give Harry any real consideration until he found out about his fame, and before that, he evaluated the Hogwarts Houses only based on their ability to give him clout in Wizarding society. Even though Draco is one of the only students Harry has talked to so far and offers him companionship at a time when Harry is desperate for it, Harry is still sure in his conviction that it would be better to have no friends at all than have Draco Malfoy tell him who the "wrong sort" is. He knows that a 'friendship' with Draco would be more like a strategic alliance, or a case of Draco using Harry for his fame. His moral compass and refusal to succumb to unhealthy ambition are integral to who Harry is.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

PG

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
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• buy

Release Date

November 16, 2001

Director

Chris Columbus

Cast

Richard Harris , Maggie Smith , Robbie Coltrane , Saunders Triplets , Daniel Radcliffe , Fiona Shaw , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson

Runtime

152 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

2 “You're the weak one. And you'll never know love, or friendship. And I feel sorry for you.”

'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' (2007)

This quote summarizes Harry's understanding of true power and how it differs from Voldemort's. Voldemort sees power as dominance—over his followers, over his enemies, even over Death itself. Because Harry cares about those around him and will put himself in danger to protect his loved ones, instead of asserting his superiority over them, Voldemort sees him as weak. In his confrontation with Voldemort at the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, however, Harry points out the flaw in his worldview: are you really all-powerful if you are all alone? While Voldemort views love as an obstacle to power, Harry knows that it is actually the key to reaching it.

Because the Dursleys never treated Harry like family, he learned to truly appreciate the power of love and friendship. He survived Voldemort as a baby because his mother loved him, and he went on to use his love to protect his friends in similar ways throughout the series. He only defeats Voldemort in the end because he possesses this power of love that Voldemort constantly undervalues and ignores. After all, it doesn't fit into his notion of power as dominance. This quote unlocks the secret of why Harry is the Chosen One.

1 “I’m ready to die.”

'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two' (2011)

This quote marks the moment Harry reaches his full potential as a character. Throughout the series, Harry struggles with his ego, flipping between believing that he is the only one able to save everyone, and believing that he is a curse to everyone around him. Of course, this second outlook makes it easy for him to understand why he must die for Voldemort to be defeated, but it is only when he says these words that he truly lets go of the part of him that believes that he is responsible for protecting everyone.

By fully accepting his fate, and being ready to die, Harry is not only sacrificing himself but also trusting that those around him are strong enough to finish the job of killing Voldemort once he has gone. It is impossible to win without overcoming the flaw that has consistently gotten in Harry's way-- his inability to relinquish protective control over the ones he loves, and learning that to truly love others you must learn to accept love in return. By completely putting his ego and self-preservation aside in this one quote, something that Voldemort would never be able to do, Harry Potter wins his battle against evil.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

PG-13

Adventure

Family

Fantasy

Mystery

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

• stream
• rent
• buy

Release Date

July 7, 2011

Director

David Yates

Cast

Ralph Fiennes , Michael Gambon , Alan Rickman , Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson

Runtime

130 minutes

Main Genre

Adventure

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