Do You Feel Sorry for Albus Dumbledore?

It’s understandable to feel empathy for someone who has faced difficult circumstances, such as a young man forced to give up his dreams to care for an ill relative, or a person spent a century wondering if they murdered their sister during a petty argument. These are undoubtedly sad and horrific situations. However, when it comes to Albus Dumbledore, I don’t feel sympathy because of who he became in the future. Instead, his character flaws and actions make him a complex figure who doesn’t merit much pity.

Evolution of Character

A promising young man had to abandon his dreams to take care of an ill relative. Such a sacrifice could bring sadness. Yet, a young man who couldn't be with his first love also brings a sense of melancholy. Meanwhile, a person spending almost a century questioning their guilt over the death of their sister during a petty argument is filled with horror. However, these are not the reasons for my lack of sympathy towards Dumbledore.

Dumbledore didn’t feel sorry for himself because of the future person he became. He embraced secrecy and manipulation, hiding behind the mask of a caring trickster. Rather than taking direct control, he allowed himself to be a spectator as he orchestrated world events using people as pieces on his strategic chessboard.

Controversial Actions and Legacy

On the surface, Dumbledore’s greatest achievement was defeating Grindelwald and becoming a celebrated figure in the magical world. However, beneath the surface, his methods were deceptively dangerous. He used people and manipulated them, much like he did with Gellert Grindelwald when they were young. As an adult, he continued to play people like chess pieces, gradually creating his own war and leadership style, often at the expense of others.

His leadership skills were questionable. Instead of fostering a supportive and nurturing environment, he favored Gryffindor house, which undoubtedly brought division among the students and staff. Moreover, his personal actions, such as giving him the cursed ring, were ultimately his own fault. He controlled and manipulated Severus Snape, turning him into a pawn in his larger game, even if Snape’s actions were also complex and questionable.

The Tragedy of Severus Snape

One cannot help but feel more sorrow for figures like Severus Snape, who had more understandable reasons for feeling trapped and seeking control. The DADA position was known to be cursed, and every professor who held it either died or left Hogwarts. Snape’s desperation to be free from Dumbledore’s control was palpable. His actions, driven by a desire to escape, suggest a man seeking his own autonomy and a life free from manipulation.

It was Snape’s deep-seated mistrust and need to control that led him to apply for the DADA position every year, likely as an escape mechanism. Standing in front of the mirror, Snape might have seen a man freed from Dumbledore’s control, living the life he wanted.

A Final Reflection

While Albus Dumbledore may have achieved fame and glory, his actions and character paint a complex picture. However, it is this complexity, rather than his failures, that justifies the lack of sympathy. Those who suffered more than Dumbledore in the process of these events, such as the innocent lives he destroyed or ruined, deserve more attention and empathy.

Ultimately, while I can understand the emotions associated with past characters in the Harry Potter series, my position is clear: Albus Dumbledore is not a person I feel sorry for.