Discussion Class: Shapeshifting - myth or legend?

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Discussion Class: Shapeshifting - myth or legend?
Runs alongside Shapeshifting class

In this discussion class, you will need to consider the folk tales and mythology which cover shapeshifting.

Do you believe there is any truth in these stories, or are they simply that - stories?

You may post as often as you want too discuss your theories and any evidence found.

The more you use evidence to back up your thoughts, as well as your own theories, the more points you may recieve.

Points avaliable for this discussion: 100

Remember to cite all sources used

I think that there is definitely truth in these stories. In fact, I am studying right now to be able to shapeshift (into an animal at least)-only we commonly refer to it as becoming an Animagus. We don't know precisely when the art was invented, or even when it became mainstream knowledge. It's completely plausible that the people in the myths and legends that we've heard since we were small were simply early examples of animagi.

Another option is that they could have been Metamorphogi, like Nymphadora Tonks was. True, this is a somewhat less likely option, due to the rarity of the ability. However, that doesn't mean we have to rule it out all together.

There are other methods of changing appearance, as we saw in Deathly Hallows. Hermione used Polyjuice Potion, and she also transfigured Ron's face to make him appear very different from what he normally looked like.

On the whole, I believe that there are truth to the stories. Maybe not all of them, but hey, wizards have been around for a long time, so their magic must have been as well.

I believe that shapeshifting is true. As since there are so many stories of it, there had to be some sort of truth to start these stories. And it’s not only in the wizarding world, but also in the muggle world has seen evidence of this. Even long ago, Native Americans and other cultures called shapeshifters metamorph, skin-walker, mimic, and therianthrope. Other folklores include animal shapeshifters (probably like Animagus). Such as in the Hindu folklores, snakes that changed into human were called naga.

Shapeshifting

My views on shapeshifting is that it is in fact a real, true thing. Examples of these are Animagi, Boggarts and of course, Warewolves, though that is involentary. There are also examples of part-shapshifting, including Metamorphamagi and through the use of the Polyjuice Potion.Also, ones patronus can shapeshift.
Animagi, though not very common today, have to train very hard and pass a test in order to be able to shapeshift. This is very advanced and difficult magic, and any unregistered Animagi could be arrested. This has happened on several occasions, including in 1999, whan several unregistered Animagi were caught trying to sneek into a shop to steal some broomsticks, and were arrested and jail for 3 years, before they were released and asked to take the test. They all fail first time.
Boggarts, however, are naturals at shapeshifting. When they come out of there dark domains and are faced by a muggle or a wizard, they will shapeshift into that persons worst fear. This has caused many muggles to be scared to death, but wizards are more rational about things, as there is a very simple way to repell a boggart. The spell "Ridikulus" will make the boggart shapeshift again, though involentarily, to a funny spectical the wizard or witch will have conjured up inside his head. A great amount of shapeshifting and laughter can indeed defeit a boggart.
Warewolves shapeshift only once a month, at the full moon, during which time they will become angry, violent and murderous to other humans. In this state, a warewolf shouldn't be approached, because if you do get bitten, yoy could become a warewolf yourself.
Metamorphamagi are in fact the rarest kind of shapeshifters. They are born that way (able to change there appearance) and many wizards have tried and failed to become one. They can change there appearance to suit there mood, or for fun, or for anything really. Metamorphamagi are normally the life and soul of any party.
The most simple way for a human to shapeshift is through the drinking of a Polyjuice potion, though it is strangly hard and fiddly to prepare. But brewed properly, the Polyjuice potion allows you to change into the HUMAN of your choice. You just need to put a little bit (eg a hair) of who you are turning into in the potion and you will become them when you drink it. NOT TO BE USED FOR ANIMAL TRANSFORMATIONS!
The spell "Expecto Patronum" is useful for repelling dementors. Everyones patronus is a different animal. But, through emotion or memory, ones patronus can change shape-eg change to suit a lost loved ones patronus.
So you see now that I clearly think and believe shapeshifting to be real!
My view on this, is that we all in the wizarding community have the ability to shapeshoft in some way, it just needs to be unlocked!

I believe taht shapeshifting is real too. Just as Lucy said there are many different instances as to when someone could of spotted someone shapeshifting and passed that story onto thier friend and they then too passed it onto one of thier friends. Eventually many people then heard of the story and didnt believe that was possible so they just said that it was a myth

I believe in the ability to shapeshift, if not possible now, at least in the future.

I think the ideas of shapeshifting probably originated from people who knew tricks. Like a magician basically. I mean I want to believe people or things can just become some other form, but since I have no proof of it I guess I really can't say I do. But trust me once it is discovered how, because it will, I will be thrilled.

Well Done. Here are your scores:

Hufflepuff:
Just Ginny: 75
jennifer williams: 20

Gryffindor:
GryffindorGal4HP: 100

Ravenclaw:
Stephy: 15

Slytherin
Drkangelcat: 15

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