The three Unforgivable Curses, Imperio, Crucio, and Avada Kedavra, are tremendously dangerous. But why are these three spells in particular deemed unforgivable when so many others aren’t? I mean, I’d argue that there are worse spells out there that are more deserving of this title.
Today we’re going to be discussing all of this and more as we dive into the history of the Unforgivable Curses, exploring their origins and classification.
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Origins and Classification
The Unforgivable Curses are tools of the dark arts and are generally only used by the darkest and most sadistic witches and wizards.
These Unforgivable Curses are comprised of Crucio, Imperio, and Avada Kedavra.
Crucio
Cruciatus Curse (Crucio) literally translates to torture in Latin. When cast, Crucio inflicts excruciating pain on the victim, pain so severe that it is considered torturous. The effects of Crucio vary depending on the caster’s desires and emotions.
To produce the pain implied by the name, the caster must despise the victim and enjoy causing pain. Harry Potter, after Crucio was cast on him, described it as feeling like his head was being split open while having his bones set on fire.
Imperio
Imperius Curse (Imperio) gets its name from the Latin Imperio, which means command. When cast on a victim, they are forced to perform the unquestioned bidding of the caster.
Being under the control of this spell is like experiencing a wonderful release from any sense of responsibility. The victim becomes extremely susceptible to the caster’s influence, carrying out tasks without any moral compass or awareness of the caster’s intentions.
Avada Kedavra
Avada Kedavra is much simpler: it just kills people. If you want to kill someone and you’re not afraid of breaking wizarding law, this is the spell to use.
When cast, it creates a blindingly intense green bolt of light right before the victim simply drops dead.
Requirements and Legal Status
All three curses require proper intent and proficient ability at performing magic to be effective. They are so morally questionable that they were eventually banned in the wizarding world.
The use of any one of them on a fellow human being is enough to earn a life sentence in Azkaban.
Why These Spells?
Other Deadly Spells
Bombarda Maxima, Fiendfire, Sectumsempra, Confringo – all of these can kill a target and more.
What makes these three spells different? Let’s take a quick look at their history.
Historical Context
Though the exact date remains a mystery, it is widely speculated that all three curses were created in the Middle Ages (between the 5th and 15th century).
For many years, witches and wizards were free to use these spells without legal repercussions until 1717 when legislation was passed by the ministry to name those three curses unforgivable. Strictest penalties were attached to their use.
Theories Behind the Unforgivable Status
Politics
One theory is that the Unforgivable Curses were outlawed for political reasons.
Ulick Gamp was the Minister for Magic at the time the spells were outlawed, with just one year left in his term.
Possibilities: Something involving these spells threatened his position. Outlawing the curses was a politically driven decision to secure the popular vote.
However, this was not enough to secure the popular vote, as he was voted out in 1718, and Damocles Rowle was welcomed in.
Unyielding Desire
To master the Unforgivable Curses, you must fundamentally align yourself with what the curse is trying to achieve – an unyielding desire to cast the spell.
Bellatrix Lestrange references this in the Order of the Phoenix: “You need to mean them, Potter. You need to really want to cause pain, to enjoy it.”
The Unforgivable Curses are considered unforgivable not just because of their effects but because they represent a fundamental breach of ethical principles: Designed to cause extreme suffering. Eliminate personal autonomy. Take life without justification.
No Countercurse
The three Unforgivable Curses have one thing in common: no countercurse.
Even the darkest of spells like Sectumsempra have a countercurse, but not Avada Kedavra, Crucio, or Imperio.
- Avada Kedavra: Causes immediate and irreversible death.
- Crucio: Pain ceases when the curse is lifted, but psychological and physical damage can be permanent.
- Imperio: No direct countercurse; resisting or shaking off the curse requires great effort and mental strength.
Soul Damage
The use of any three of the Unforgivable Curses causes irreparable damage to the soul. The soul is a common theme within the Harry Potter story, depicting the essence of an individual’s identity.
There are many ways to strip one’s soul:
- Committing murder: Shown through the creation of Horcruxes, where the act of murder is required to split the soul.
- Dementors feed on the soul.
- Unicorn blood can keep you from dying at the cost of your soul.
Using Avada Kedavra to take a life irreparably harms the soul, reflecting the serious ethical breach of intentionally ending another person’s life.
Inflicting unbearable pain for the sake of torture corrupts the soul of the caster.
Controlling another person’s free will and autonomy is a severe violation of their rights and dignity, leading to moral and spiritual degradation for the caster.
And that’s it for this article. Had you ever wondered why these spells were deemed unforgivable? What are your theories? Leave a comment below.
