“Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine” Site Support Notebook
Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine
Site Support Notebook
[Banner 1: Potions] |
Harry Potters World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine |
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Illustration of an apothecary lesson Hieronymus Brunschwig, |
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Illustration of an owl Konrad Gesner, |
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[Intro text] |
In 1997, British author J. K. Rowling introduced the world to Harry Potter and a literary phenomenon was born. Millions of readers have followed Harry to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where he discovers his heritage, encounters new plants and animals, and perfects his magical abilities. Although a fantasy story, the magic in the |
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[History text] |
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There was a lot more to magic, as Harry quickly found out, than waving your wand and saying a few funny words. |
(HP quote) |
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(Flamel card) |
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...do not forget to pray to God to bestow on thee the understanding of the reason of the truth of nature...Nicolas Flamel, as attributed in
Nicolas Flamel, |
(History quote) |
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Alchemy, the process of transforming base metals, figures heavily in the plot of the first book, |
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Credits: |
This exhibition is brought to you by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health |
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[Banner 2: Monsters] |
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[Harry text] |
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Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents.Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry library book,
Illustration of a basilisk Konrad Gesner, |
(HP quote) |
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I heard that on the edge of Germany near Styria, many flying four-legged serpents resembling lizards appeared, winged, with an incurable bite...Konrad Gesner,
Illustration of a dragon Konrad Gesner, |
(History quote) |
At Hogwarts, Harry not only learns magic spells, charms, and potions, he is also taught about the natural world and its uses. This knowledge helps Harry and his friends survive innumerable adventures and ultimately defeat the villainous Lord Voldemort. For example, armed with information about the basilisk, Harry knows to avoid its fatal stare and to use its highly venomous fangs to destroy fragments of Voldemorts soul. And when Harry encounters a dragon in the Triwizard Tournament, he knows from his studies to have a healthy respect for the creature, ensuring the young wizards survival. Although they consider dragons highly dangerous creatures, wizards have created nature reserves with specialized caregivers to ensure the creatures can thrive without harming people. Dragons also have valuable magical traitsvarious parts are commonly used in potions and their heartstrings often compose the magical core of wands. |
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[History text] |
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(Gesner card) |
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I have noticed a relationship between science and natural philosophy...those writings interest me the most which deal with minerals, plants, and animals.Konrad Gesner, |
(History quote) |
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Theriac even promises to make old age more peaceful, life longer, and ones health more stable ... Konrad Gesner,
Illustration of an apothecary mixing theriac |
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Like Harrys professors, 16th-century Swiss naturalist and physician Konrad Gesner appreciated the knowledge gained by studying nature. His most famous work, |
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[Banner 3: Herbology] |
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[Harry text] |
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Three times a week they went out to the greenhouses behind the castle to study Herbology...where they learned how to take care of all the strange plants and fungi, and found out what they were used for.
Illustration of a botany discussion |
(HP quote) |
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Detail of illustration of a female mandrake root |
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Because plants and their uses are important to wizards, all students at Hogwarts are required to take Herbology. In Harrys second year, he learns how to grow mandrakes, real plants studied by historical botanists. Although it isnt his favorite subject, the young wizard soon comes to appreciate Herbology when he discovers that mandrake is the key ingredient of a potion that will cure his severely injured classmates. In his fourth year, Harry is once again reminded of the value of studying plants when he must find a way to breathe underwater during the Triwizard Tournament. Harrys classmate teaches him about gillyweed, a fictitious plant that, when ingested, gives its user fins and gills. |
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[History text] |
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OB0025 |
Instead of roots, a small, muddy, and extremely ugly baby popped out of the earth. The leaves were growing right out of his head. He had pale green, mottled skin, and was clearly bawling at the top of his lungs.
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(HP quote) |
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Historically, scholars believed that studying plants could provide clues as to how nature works and, in 1491, publisher Jacob Meydenback compiled earlier writings into the |
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[Banner 4: Magical Creatures] |
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Stories about the medicinal values of a unicorns horn, especially that it is an antidote to poisons, may have originated from similar Asian beliefs about the rhinoceros horn.Konrad Gesner,
Illustration of a unicorn Konrad Gesner, |
(History quote) |
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The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.Firenze the centaur to Harry Potter,
Illustration of a bihorn species of unicorns Ambroise Paré, |
(HP quote) |
In |
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[History text] |
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(Harry quote) |
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(Paré card) |
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The influential surgeon Ambroise Paré, noted for using less invasive procedures than his contemporaries, believed that studying nature was important to understanding the world. Paré believed that everything on earth had been perfectly created, including the odd and unusual creatures he often wrote about in his works. For example, although not wholly convinced the animal existed, the surgeon included unicorns in his writings because of the numerous accounts of sightings and the creatures purported medicinal uses. Unicorn horn, such as that of the bihorn species Paré described, was commonly believed to neutralize poisons and many apothecaries claimed to stock it. |
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[Banner 5: Fantastic Beasts] |
Fantastic Beasts |
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[History text] |
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We wizards have mistreated and abused our fellows for too long, and we are now reaping our reward.Albus Dumbledore to Harry Potter, |
(HP quote) |
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Apparently she loathes part-humans; she campaigned to have merpeople rounded up and tagged last year...Sirius Black to Hermione Granger,
Illustration of merpeople |
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Detail of a centaurfrom an illustration of the human body and the astrological signs that govern it Joannes de Ketham, |
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Although the wizards of |
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[History text] |
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(Paracelsus card) |
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All things that we use on earth let us use them for good and not for evil.Paracelsus,
Paracelsus, |
(History quote) |
Paracelsus, who appears as a sculpture in |
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[Banner 6: Immortality] |
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[Harry text] |
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It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.Albus Dumbledore, |
(HP quote) |
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Illustration of an alchemy workshop Johann Mylius, |
Asset not associated with a quotenote text change |
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There is nothing worse than death, Dumbledore!Lord Voldemort,
Illustration of a phoenix |
(Harry quote) Or since the other phoenix is prominent on the button? OB0019 Detail of a phoenix from the illustration,
Andreas Libavius, |
Throughout the seven-book series, Harry Potter makes crucial decisions about the fate of all living things as he attempts to thwart the villainous Lord Voldemorts unending quest for a racially-pure wizard state, ultimate power, and eternal life. Although he struggles with fear of becoming an evil wizard like Voldemort, Harry is reminded by friends and mentors that his compassionate and unselfish use of magic sets the two apart. Time and again, the young wizard appreciates all the natural world has to offer, develops friendships with ostracized creatures and racially impure wizards, and uses his power to help others, even at the risk of his own life. Harrys desire to do what is right helps him to defeat Lord Voldemort, keeping all the young wizard loves safe from harm. |
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[History text] |
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(Agrippa card) |
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Magic comprises the most profound contemplation of the most secret things, their nature, power, quality, substance, and virtues, as well as the knowledge of their whole nature.Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim,
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, |
(History quote) |
Like Harry, many Renaissance alchemists, naturalists, and physicians struggled with the responsibilities that came with their attempts to understand the world. Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim, a noted 16th-century occultist, alchemist, lawyer, physician, and, in |
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