Would Salazar Slytherin Appreciate Voldemort’s Achievements If He Was Still Alive?

Introduction to Salazar Slytherin and Voldemort

The Wizarding world of Harry Potter is a complex one, filled with moral quandaries and differing philosophies. Two figures who profoundly shaped the magical community are Salazar Slytherin and Lord Voldemort. Salazar Slytherin, a founding member of Hogwarts and a proponent of pureblood supremacy, created the Slytherin house with a vision of preserving the purest magical bloodlines. Meanwhile, Lord Voldemort, who emerged as Salazar’s darker and more extreme descendant, sought to purge the wizarding world of all impurities, a goal that inevitably led to chaos and destruction.

Despite their shared initials and lineage, their paths diverged in significant ways. This article delves into the question of whether, if Salazar Slytherin were alive today, he would appreciate the achievements of Lord Voldemort.

Salazar Slytherin: A Vision of Pureblood Supremacy

Salazar Slytherin established the Slytherin house based on the notion that pure magical blood was the highest form of wizardry. He made it clear that only the descendants of those who had produced magical offspring for at least three generations could be admitted to his house. His belief was that these pure-bloods were not only superior in magical prowess but also in character and intellect.

Several derogatory ideas and practices emerged from Slytherin’s ideals. Muggle-borns were considered impure and unworthy, and the term "Mudblood" was coined as an insult towards them. Slytherin sought to maintain the dominance of pure-blood families at Hogwarts, often by means that were unethical and sometimes criminal.

Voldemort’s Reign and the Muggleborn Registration Commission

Lord Voldemort, in his quest to purify the wizarding world of supposed taints, instituted the Muggleborn Registration Commission. This draconian measure further subjugated Muggle-borns and served as a tool for persecution and control. The commission aimed to register and oppress all Muggle-born individuals, seen as threats to the pureblood hierarchy Voldemort envisioned.

While Salazar’s intentions were rooted in maintaining the integrity of pure-blood families, Voldemort took his ideology to an extreme where all other magical practices and individuals were considered inferior and to be eradicated.

The Basilisk and an Unfathomable Calculation

The basilisk that Salazar created at Hogwarts was an instrument of fear and power. The basilisk had the ability to kill with a single look, and its presence could be used to punish those seen as impure or unwelcome. The deaths and destruction caused by the basilisk serve as a stark reminder of the methods Salazar used to enforce his views. These methods were inhuman and, in many ways, brutal.

Despite the massive and tragic loss of life, including the death of his own basilisk, Salazar did not waver in his commitment to his beliefs. The iconic phrase, "The ends justify the means," could be seen as a summary of his approach. He believed that the values and treatments of Muggle-borns and the preservation of the pure-blood line were worth any cost.

Would Salazar Slytherin Appreciate Voldemort’s Achievements?

Considering Salazar’s views and the means he was willing to use, one can only speculate whether he would appreciate Voldemort’s achievements. Given Salazar's philosophy of maintaining the highest standards of magical blood, he might sympathize with Voldemort’s aims.

However, the stark contrast between their methods might make for a complicated relationship. Salazar would likely question the hypocrisy of a supposedly pureblood supremacist ignoring the blood status of individuals in favor of power. He might also be intrigued by the calculated brutality used by Voldemort.

The notion that "the ends justify the means" might appeal to Salazar, as it aligns with his own moral flexibility. But the excessive use of force and the disregard for the value of human life might cause him to question Voldemort’s methods.

Conclusion

Whether Salazar Slytherin would appreciate Voldemort’s achievements is a question that remains open to interpretation. While the underlying principles of pureblood supremacy might align, the methods and the scale of the damage could be a point of contention. Salazar, with his unfathomable calculations and willingness to end lives, might have complex feelings about his descendant’s own pursuits.