Voldemort's Weakness

[Katy Kedevra]

Sorry if there's already a thread on this but I did a search and didn't find anything, so, here goes...

I was reading another thread and they touched this subject, and I've always wondered if it would be Voldemort's fatal mistake, but Voldemort does seem to have a weakness. He is forgetful of some ancient forms of magic. First, he forgot about the charm Harry's mother used. Second, he forgot (memory or not, it was him and he admitted that he forgot) about pheonix tears.

Perhaps this will put him to his doom. Anyone have any suggestions or other times he forgot things? Also, if anyone else has noticed any other weaknesses, I'd be happy to discuss them. :)

[Shoujo Kitsune]

Well, he is afraid of DD, and power hungry, I think that that could be a weakness cuz it has lead to Harry getting away a few times...When he has wanted to clarify that he is the ultimate evil, he has let things slip up and Harry gets away...I do not know if you consider this a weakness, but I think it is definatly a character flaw....

[rotsiepots]

Voldemort is also too blinded by his own self-importance -- this certainly could be considered a weakness. Similarly, he is so consumed with avenging his first downfall that he often can't achieve any of his goals (eg Voldemort insisted on killing Harry through a complex manouvre involving the Triwizard Cup, rather than have pseudo-Moody kill him off rather easily).

Ultimately, I think these two traits will lead to his downfall, but we'll have to wait and see I suppose. :)

[Shoujo Kitsune]

I hate waiting.....

[Picko]

I agree with rotsie, like many villians that you see in movies and literature he is blinded by his own self-importance, this is portrayed by his obsession of killing Harry by himself. In the cemetary there was numerous instances where Harry could have been killed but Voldemort wishes to bask in the glory of his own victory.

[Moontrimmer]

I can't help thinking that theres some other weakness of Voldie that we don't yet know about. One that will be revealed in future books.

[rotsiepots]

It could be something classical, like an achilles tendon? ;)

[Shoujo Kitsune]

He is human...he has weaknesses, that is why the bad guys never win....they get a big head and are self-obsorbed....

[Moontrimmer]

Originally posted by rotsiepots (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=263985#post263985))
It could be something classical, like an achilles tendon? ;)

Lol.
Or it could be something as simple as a sock. Since Mrs. Rowling seems to have such a sock fetish..Maybe Harry finds a sock with special magical properties, throws it at him, and that'll be the end of him.;)

[Shoujo Kitsune]

lol...you are both funny!

[Katy Kedevra]

First off, Voldemort wanted Harry because than he could turn Lily's sacrifice into a not-so-bad thing. I just wonder if spells will rebound off Voldemort now, so Harry's the only one who can attack him... with a different wand of course. And maybe Moody couldn't attack Harry because he has that protection.

Also, yes, Voldemort does want to enjoy killing Harry. But maybe it's because Voldemort doesn't truly believe that Harry wasn't his downfall. He seemed to take a long time telling a story about how Harry didn't defeat him. It leads me to think that maybe Voldemort was trying to convince himself that Harry wasn't or won't be his downfall. Or maybe he sees Harry as the 'good' side of himself (yes I am helpless, but I still believe that Voldemort will see he was wrong, even if it is right before he dies) and he wants to destroy that piece of him by himself.

But maybe in the next book JKR will prove me wrong, and Voldemort will have self-importance as a major flaw... as soon as the book comes out.

[Picko]

Or maybe someone puts a sock over Voldemort's head and he can't see and that allows someone to take him out :D

Um...back on topic, Voldemort does have the habbit of forgetting important information, ie. the ancient magic.

[Weatherby]

I agree with rostiepots and Picko. Voldemort is too concerned with how his DE's percieved him and getting his reputation back after his downfall. He's been very clever or he wouldn't have made it back this far but he must have a weakness.
I think Dumbledore may know what it is.

[Shoujo Kitsune]

i think that he has a fear of death, he need to be known and wants to ensure that he will aways be around to make sure he is known...that is why he 'took so many precautions to prevent his death'...

On the Harry thing, I know he wanted to kill him himself, but then why was he going to give harry to Nagini? why not just kill him?

[Starseyer]

I think Voldemort wanted to kill Harry himself . . . and make a big show of doing it . . . just to prove that he could kill him. After failing so miserably the first time. I mean, what if some of the death eaters decided that Harry Potter was more powerful than Voldemort (or at least had the potential to be. ) This would not be good for Voldie's reputation ;)

[GrangerGal]

I think his biggest flaw is that he forgets that "good" and "ancient" magic can be just as powerful as the Dark Arts. A phoenix tears are pure and good so that is why he would have overlooked their hearing properities. Also he overlooked the power of love which is, as Voldemort said, a powerful counter curse. He overlooks purity and goodness and love b/c he thinks that the only way to become powerful is through fear and destruction. That is his biggest weakness.

[Katy Kedevra]

GrangerGal, I like your interpretation of it. :)

[She's Crafty]

Mmm, this is a good thread!

Anyways, my own thoughts on Voldie's weaknesses:

Firstly, his obesession with cheating death whilst also gaining unlimited power are both classic villian traits and are also major flaws. 'Voldemort' i believe actually translates as 'thief of death'. In her own way Rowling has shown how destructive both these desires are through her portrayal of how a handsome boy like Tom Riddle has become a disgusting creature called Lord Voldemort. I guess it shows the full power of curruption by evil desire - a fatal flaw.

Another flaw of Voldemort's has already been remarked upon by Dumbledore himself - he cannot understand love. This backfired on him rather spectacularly as we already know and one wonders whether it'll backfire on Voldie again later on (i.e. him taking Harry's blood is often thought to have potential to backfire).

But yes, as usual the big flaw with the villian is ego. Voldemort wants it to be known that Harry could never be more powerful than him. Looking at the dialogue in that scene in GoF where he gives his loooong speech it actually seems like Voldemort is trying to convince himself of that fact, which is intriguing. Was there something he knew about the Potters?

Going a little off topic for a minute, what has always really interested me about Voldemort is his hypocrisy - he basically executes ethnic cleansing yet is only a half blood himself. Has he ever heard of irony?

[Earendil]

Great point, ShesCrafty, with the ethnic cleansing bit

I see similarities between Voldemort and LOTR's villain, Sauron--
Sauron foolishly concentrated the majority of his power into the one ring, therefore allowing a huge weakness: destroy the ring, and destroy Sauron.
Voldemort, in a way, concentrated all his power into killing the Potters, thereby allowing for a huge weakness as well. He didn't account for the possibility of failing to kill Harry.
Arrgh, it's too early for me and I can't really express myself too well.
Anyway, the bottom line is that Voldemort's weakness lies in lack of proper prior planning. He assumes that he cannot fail, and ended up doing so anyway, because he is too arrogant to see that he hasn't covered all the bases.

[Filia Tenebrarum]

"Has he ever heard of irony?"
I don't think he would understand it. He has no sense of humour.

His weaknesses are as follows:
- Overblown ego
- Delight in cruelty, which sometimes blinds him from achiving his goals
- A hatred of good so strong that he underestimates it's powers
- Lack of good treatment for his followers, who hate him almost as much as his enemies.
- Possibly something in Harry's blood will weaken him

That's rather a lot of weaknesses for a wizard going for absolute power and immortality.

[She's Crafty]

I don't think he would understand it. He has no sense of humour.

And there was me thinking Voldemort was invented as his stand-up name. I'm so dense sometimes...:p

[sugarquill]

Well his biggest weakness now is that he's mortal and can and WILL be killed.

[lorna]

Voldie's got a terrible memory. Mother's love - I forgot, Phoenix tears -
I forgot. Probably forget his head if wasn't attached to his shoulders.

[hpangel102]

Yes he probably would lorna! ;)

In every movie I've seen, there is always someone bad, and in those movies most of the time the bad guys always suffer. I'm hoping that the Harry Potter books don't come to the same kind of sticky ending as the movies I'm seen, but I also want it to be a great ending that I wont be disappointed with.

[Hpmons]

Awww...Poor little Voldermort...He is just misunderstood...

To contradict one thing - Voldermort does have a sense of humor, its just a little odd and sadistic.

I think his only flaw is that he believes he is the best. no matter what. If anything happens to him, its just the other persons pure luck. This then leads onto...
- forgetfulness, becuase he is so sure the person is going to die.
- underestimating peoples power and abilities

He doesnt treat his DEs well becuase he wants them all to follow him, and never leave his path; so he strikes fear into them, becuase he believes its the best way to keep them, and, it seems he doesnt know any other way. But, he does reward some DEs (though I personally wouldnt think its worth it), and promises rewards to others.

[MadMagic]

Much like the emperor (in Star Wars), I think that his over-confidence is his weakness. He is so overconfident in his abilities that he overlooks things, like the ancient magic that saved Harry. I don't think Voldemort's weakness saved Harry in GoF because there was really no way for Voldemort to know that Harry had his brother wand. I suppose he was overconfident and allowed Harry a chance to defend himself, but I feel like I have discussed that in another thread.

[GrangerGal]

Well he is arrogant, forgetful, sadistic, mean, and he doesnt understand his oppenents. Understanding he opposition is KEY to winning. He can't comprehend DD or Harry b/c he doesnt understand love. I think that will be his downfall. The fact that he doesnt try to understand the other side of things.

[Jessica]

I got the idea that he forgot the ancient magic, not because he was overconfident, but because the ancient magic was not currently well known.

My idea is that it is one of those skills that has faded out of use and therefore easy not to take into consideration.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Don't forget his fear, yes he fears something - death. He's spent most of his life trying to cheat death.
His ego will hamper him because he doesn't think he can ever, ever be wrong. Therefore he will make mistakes. He will underestimate his foes and they will defeat him.
He rules by fear and punishment. One of his own will turn on him when he least expects it. [Wormtail?]
And most of all, he does not understand love. Selfless sacrifice is beyond his understanding, so it is easily dismissed as being of no merit.

[GrangerGal]

Nice job Barbara Kennedy! I didnt even think of listing that under weaknesses... So Harry has an advantage. We learned in the 3rd book Harry only fears fear! Ohhh this could be a key element in the book! Good job Barbara Kennedy!

[Barbara Kennedy]

Thank you, thank you *curtseys*

[jordmundt6]

But there's a problem now. Voldemort has now been bested three different times by Harry Potter. I don't think Harry will get his wand back next time (not that it'll necessarily matter, of course).

[jordmundt6]

Kudos Barbara and Grangergal. This is more proof, if we needed any that the page Emerson brought to our attention is definitely a fake.

AARGH! I double-posted again. Sorry.

[Barbara Kennedy]

*blushes humbly*

[GrangerGal]

Thanks! Well I think we will see that Voldemort won't give Harry's wand back but we do know what Voldemort fears and what Harry fears. That could be a key element in the next books. Harry and Dumbledore could use these to their advantage. I can't wait for book three!

[Barbara Kennedy]

I'm sure you meant book 5, GrangerGal.
The wait has us all a little crazy.:wacky: :stuckin: :banghead:
Why does it seem harder to wait as the time gets closer?

[Stallion1]

Well voldemort couldnt touch harry before in book one but oh wait that was prof. quirrel um never mind i really dont know how to post to this thread hehe.

[Barbara Kennedy]

It was Voldemort/Quirrell, or Quirrell/Voldemort if you prefer.

[jordmundt6]

But Voldemort associated the limitation with himself, so it'd probably be more accurate to say "Voldemort/Quirrel"

[Filia Tenebrarum]

"Why does it seem harder to wait as the time gets closer?"
Because, as it gets closer, you spend more time conciously waiting and less time just thinking about other stuff. So it seems more.
Actually, the percent of time to go passed: amount of time to go ratio gets better as you get closer. Two months as of the day after tommorrow!

[Barbara Kennedy]

That brings me to another weakness of Voldemort's - time. Time is currently not on Voldemorts side, meaning it is going to take him time to re-do all his life-extending magics, if he CAN do them again. Meanwhile he is again mortal. He is vulnerable to death, like he has not been for many years [I assume].

[lunchbox-hobbit]

I think that voldies weakness is that he is very power-hungry, and also has a huge ego and thinks that since harry is no longer protected, he will be safe and wont even think about other spells that may have the potential of killing him. I wonder what would happen if someone used a very powerfull memory charm on Voldemorte, then he would just forget all about his evilness and could probably be pursuaded into being good.

[Weatherby]

I agree with Barbara and lunchbox_hobbit.
Voldemort has a lot of trouble ahead.
He must become mortal again and deal with his vanity. He was too concerned with showing his supporters he was still powerful that he messed up.
Plus he doesn't seem to know about ancient magic to the degree that Dumbledore does.

[jordmundt6]

I disagree about the ancient magic bit. Riddle (Voldemort) knows the basics, he's jus tso concerned with his own cleverness that he neglects them. But he has something very troubling to deal with now. His supporters SAW that Potter isn't just lucky, he's strong, and fast, and powerful (I bet hardly any of them could shake off their Lord's Imperius Curse). So how does he explain that and convince them and himself that he can take these two powerful enemies out of the equation?

[Weatherby]

I meant that Dumbledore seems to know more than Voldemort. I never said he didn't know anything. :)
When you're concerned with taking over others you're missing part of the big picture. It'll never happen. People need each other to survive. It's not palpable to have complete control over other beings. Nor can he destroy an entire country of muggles.
He doesn't know history even if he has an exstensive knowledge of ancient magic.
There lies his weakness.

[Picko]

Originally posted by Weatherby (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=276854#post276854))
I meant that Dumbledore seems to know more than Voldemort. I never said he didn't know anything. :)
When you're concerned with taking over others you're missing part of the big picture. It'll never happen. People need each other to survive. It's not palpable to have complete control over other beings. Nor can he destroy an entire country of muggles.
He doesn't know history even if he has an exstensive knowledge of ancient magic.
There lies his weakness.


That being said, Voldemort would have knowledge of things that Dumbledore wouldn't. For instance I would imagine his knowledge of the dark arts would far surpass those of Dumbledore simply because he has delved further into it. Perhaps this gives Voldemort an advantage against Dumbledore and his followers.

[Weatherby]

But not against Snape.

If dark magic is stronger than good magic then he has an advantage.
But we've seen the strength love had against hate.

[Picko]

I would say his knowledge would surpass even Snape, perhaps not in regards to potions but overall I'd say it is.

But surely dark magic has certain advantages over good magic and vice-versa, if there wasn't there would be no point in using dark magic.

[Weatherby]

Oh you're thinking from Da Darth's point of view.
Voldemort is only the master of evil. :)

Snape may not know as much about dark arts as Voldemort but he can assist Dumbledore and help him have an advantage from both sides.
There's a saying that good cops think from a serial killer's frame of mind. Can the serial killer see things from the cops perspective?
If that makes any sense..

[Picko]

Nah the good serial killer will kill the good cop before he gets to see things from that perspective :D

You made perfect sense, although I think that Voldemort will have Snape killed, which will hamper his ability to help Dumbledore.

[Weatherby]

I don't think it will be as simple as that.
Snape is very complex. She must have a purpose for him before he's killed off (if then).

I believe that Dumbledore as with most moral and law abiding citizens is that they see things more clearly.
Anyone who attemps total domination over others are insane.
Insane people may cause a lot of damage but they won't see all ends. Voldemort will entrap himself in the end. Someone will be there to catch him when that happens.

Crouch SR. and Fudge will have more permenate and long-term damage for society.

[Picko]

I think the degree of damage that Voldemort will cause in the future books will depend on the degree to which witches and wizards remain afraid of him. It also depends on what degree Voldemort is mortal - is he fully mortal, part mortal or as he was before. These issues will probably play a big part in the resistance that Dumbledore can muster, for instance only a few wizards call Voldemort by his proper name - Black, Lupin, Harry etc.

[Weatherby]

That's true. Even though those who like Fudge remain irritatingly steadfast in ignoring signs of his return are still afraid to say his proper name.
But Voldemort will most likely never truly be able to conquer those like Dumbledore, Harry, Lupin, Hermione, etc. because they aren't. They'll never stop fighting.

They must get him before he takes those measures to become immortal again.
He won't make the same mistakes. They'll have to find another way to keep preventing his return as Dumbledore told Harry. I can't remember which book. :)

[Barbara Kennedy]

Another Voldemort weakness has just come to mind.
Voldemort isn't a happy person. Now this may not seem like a big deal until you consider one thing. What is required to be able to do an Expecto Patronus spell?
Harry can do a Patronus spell and Voldemort can't, get the picture?

[Shoujo Kitsune]

Absolutely! So, will he try and create a happy thought so that he can do a protonus in order to control the dementors???We already knwo that he is no tso good at keeping up to date on spells!

[Barbara Kennedy]

What would be a happy thought to Voldemort may not meet the criteria needed for the Patronus spell. IF he even knows the spell.

[lorna]

Oh, Barbara , I like that theory.
At the end of the day, I've always liked the idea that Voldie will get his soul sucked out of him.
Wouldn't that be a cool end to the series, Harry survives the Dementors because he can do a spell Voldie hasn't got in him.

[Barbara Kennedy]

The perfect irony.

[jordmundt6]

But Voldie has lots of happy memories. But yes, it would be a perfect irony. He could remain alive and not be a threat. But the Dementor who ate him could absorb his knowledge and personality. Uh-oh.

[Picko]

Originally posted by Barbara Kennedy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=278029#post278029))
Another Voldemort weakness has just come to mind.
Voldemort isn't a happy person. Now this may not seem like a big deal until you consider one thing. What is required to be able to do an Expecto Patronus spell?
Harry can do a Patronus spell and Voldemort can't, get the picture?


But what's the definition of a "happy" thought? Where do we draw that line? For instance to average folk like you or myself a happy memory might be the time our favourite sporting team won a final or when we saw our favourite band in concert; for a sadistic serial killer a happy memory would probably be more in line with the likes of torture, torment, destruction and death. What makes people happy will differ from person to person and yet those "happy" thoughts are just as valuable to the respective people. Is Voldemort capable of happy thought? I don't know, he could find happiness from killing and torturing people and if this is the case then he has happy thoughts in abundance.

However, ultimately I've always thought that the dementors would be Voldemort's fate, simply because is there anybody else who deserves a fate worse than death more?

Originally posted by jordmundt
He could remain alive and not be a threat. But the Dementor who ate him could absorb his knowledge and personality. Uh-oh.

Dementors don't have personalities of their own, hence they would be unable to outwardly portray his personality or knowledge against others. Once Voldemort's soul is sucked out, it is gone forever and that is why it's a fate worse than death. There is no return.

[dreamingfifi]

One of Voldemort's weaknesses is that he placed part of himself inside of Harry. It helps him as it makes him more powerful as Harry becomes more powerful. While he has stored part of himself in Harry, if it is removed, he's lost his back up. So Harry dies and the powers stored into Harry will be gone too. Then he would be truly mortal, truly vulnerable.

Another weakness is his followers. Especially Peter Pettigrew. Peter owes Harry his life, and his life dept could be very important in the last book.

[lorna]

Where does it say a Dementor takes on the personality of the person who's soul he sucked.

[dreamingfifi]

Voldemort could be distroyed if he got a dementor's kiss, but the dementor's probly don't want his sole very much.

[Weatherby]

Originally posted by dreamingfifi (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=279310#post279310))
Another weakness is his followers. Especially Peter Pettigrew. Peter owes Harry his life, and his life dept could be very important in the last book.


I'm not holding my breath for Peter to save Harry's life. If he does it's because he's magically bound to.
He wasn't loyal to James and Lily despite their friendship.
He's loyal to Voldemort out of fear and that's strong stuff.

[Loz]

I'd have to agree with Weatherby there :)

Have we mentioned Voldie's massive yet fragile ego as one of his weaknesses? He is so confident, and yet so scared. He lets Harry escape out of vanity in GoF and his teenage memory does the same in CoS. Voldie's labouring under an intense inferiority complex, coupled with an intense arrogance. That is never a good combination, and chews him up inside.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Originally posted by Barbara Kennedy (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=272158#post272158))
Don't forget his fear, yes he fears something - death. He's spent most of his life trying to cheat death.
His ego will hamper him because he doesn't think he can ever, ever be wrong. Therefore he will make mistakes. He will underestimate his foes and they will defeat him.
He rules by fear and punishment. One of his own will turn on him when he least expects it. [Wormtail?]
And most of all, he does not understand love. Selfless sacrifice is beyond his understanding, so it is easily dismissed as being of no merit.

Obviously, I didn't come up with all this on my own. I just pretty much summarized what others stated and added a little of my own ideas.

[Filia Tenebrarum]

Interesting stuff with dementors. Nevertheless, I think the most apropriate death for Voldemort would be to be killed outright and straightfowardly. He's spent his whole life trying to conquer death, but I think it would be beautifully ironic if he dies in a way anyone might die. I bet all his spells wouldn't be able to save him if someone lopped his head off.

Having said that, perhaps the Dementor idea could make sense of the notorious "gleam of triumph" in Dumbledore's eye. Perhaps now that Voldemort has Harry's blood in him, he has enough goodness and happiness in him to attract the Dementors?

About his happy thoughts consisting of muggle torture etc: I don't think those would really be happy thoughts. Satisfaction, perhaps, and revenge, but surely not the kind of thing that would produce a Patronus.

Another point, Voldemort tortures to bolster his confidence. He must have loved torturing Harry when he thought he would kill him, but now Harry's got away, that memory wouldn't be happy, because all the triumph was gone and the whole thing was an embarrassment. Harry, the boy who lived, could sour all Voldemort's memories, because all the other people Voldemort tortured and killedjust make it even more embarrassing that he didn't manage it with Harry.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Aha! Another weakness, Voldemort doesn't learn from his mistakes!

[Weatherby]

Excellent post Filia Tenebrarum. :)
I imagine spells preventing his from dying wouldn't work against having his head chopped off.
An interesting take on the 'triumph' debacle too.

I agree Barbara.
Voldemort probably doesn't learn from his mistakes.

[DocHollidaywe]

ya sometimes ambition is your worst enemy

[Barbara Kennedy]

Originally posted by Weatherby (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=283816#post283816))
Excellent post Filia Tenebrarum. :)
I imagine spells preventing his from dying wouldn't work against having his head chopped off.
An interesting take on the 'triumph' debacle too.

I agree Barbara.
Voldemort probably doesn't learn from his mistakes.


I suppose it all ties back in with his ego.
He won't admit he was wrong, so he can't learn from it.

[ominous]

The only weakness of Voldemort is that he is the dumbest villain ever have appeared in any books or any movies.
Frankly, I can hardly believe Harry will face any dangerous moment in the future book.
Willingly set Harry free in GoF, Ha!

[Barbara Kennedy]

I wouldn't go that far, ominous, but he has certainly bungled the job so far.

[Iola]

Regarding the notorious 'gleam of triumph' on Dumbledore's face.... Could it be possible that it is because he had foreseen that Voldemort would do something similiar? And the action of using Harry's blood... wouldn't this make Voldemort have the same protection that Harry has, the one Harry recieved when his mother died? Thus Voldemort would have the protection of evil and good as well in his skin?

[Picko]

Originally posted by DocHollidaywe (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=284773#post284773))
ya sometimes ambition is your worst enemy


If you refer back to Shakespeare you'll find that ambition is the worst enemy on the tragic hero in all his tragedies. Like many Shakespearian characters Voldemort's ambition could lead to his downfall.

[JofpGallagher]

Originally posted by Starseyer (original post (http://www.cosforums.com/a/showthread.php?postid=264287#post264287))
I think Voldemort wanted to kill Harry himself . . . and make a big show of doing it . . . just to prove that he could kill him.

I second that. Voldemort's pride was truly hurted by being defeated by just 1 year old kid.
And as Rotsie & Picko said. Voldemort principal weakness could be his selfishness. In book 1 it was his lack of love. Harry defeated him using love according to Dumbledore. In the second was his arrogance. He laughed about Dumbledore help (The Sorting Hat and the Phoenix). Voldemort can't stand and he gets out of control if somebody says that another wizard is greater than him. Remember when Harry said DD is the greatest wizard? Tom Riddle stumbled just listening that.
In the fourth book, well he couldn't kill Harry for wierd circunstance of the wands being made with the same Fawke's feather.

[Barbara Kennedy]

"Pride goeth before a fall."
Will you ever learn that lesson, Voldie? [We hope not!!!]:rolleyes:

[LewsTherin]

I think Voldemort's biggest weakness is over-confidence. He's underestimated Harry three times and that has led to his defeat: however, I do not think he'll make the same mistake again. If he does, then JKR has lost the plot and we're stuck with a pathetic bad guy. Voldy did not bring the world to its knees by making mistakes. He ruled through fear, and to do that, he would have had to build up a reputation as being unbeatable. You don't do that by making mistakes. I think he'll change his tactics and do what he does best - sow fear and strife amongst his enemies. I mean, he's got the phsycological battle already half won. So, let's not underestimate the guy. If you're looking for weaknesses, Dumbledore has far more.

But I must admit that his foresight is lacking, and that is probably what will lead to his donwfall. He seems incapable of predicting Harry's actions. He's been able to fool both Harry and DD, but has never defeated Harry (though I believe he can beat DD). Harry is an enigma to him, and so, very difficult to beat. But I agree with those who say he'll die by having his head cut off (with Gryffindor's sword).

[Barbara Kennedy]

Another weakness Voldemort has. He depends on his henchmen for information. Much of the time that information will be incomplete or erroneous. At times, things will be kept from him out of fear of reprisal [has he been known to kill the bearer of bad tidings?].

[zent]

Am I the only one who suspects that James Potter may have been an Auror, as well? Voldemort may have been upset at Potter taking some of his best DEs out of commission.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Try the thread "What will Harry discover about Lilly and James Potter?"

[Silk E Smooth]

I didn't see anyone else mention this but one of voldemorts weaknesses is love. He doesn't have a capacity for it. Wouldn't it be an interesting twist to see Voldie learn the lesson of love ( just before his death of course) and give Harry a hug?

[harp230]

Siriusly, I agree that his weakness is being incapable of love. This could play into the future because Harry will get support from those that care about him. Voldermort will have trouble understanding this love, thus incapable of stopping Harry.

[zent]

Voldemort is afraid of Harry! He needs to get rid of him. There are so many parallels between Dumbledore and Harry with regards to Voldemort (and pretty much everything else) that must scare Voldemort.

Voldemort has been frantically targetting Harry, even his past self (Riddle in CoS), and he's getting more desperate as time goes on, because he knows that he needs to get rid of him before he really gets powerful. The problem: he needs to make a big deal out of it, make it public. So far, this has been his downfall.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Yes, Voldemort fears Harry, because Harry is such a mystery to Voldemort.
Harry is willing to sacrifice himself for his friends. He is loyal to his friends. He is not tempted by power. He doesn't fear Voldemort or what Voldemort might do to him personally. Harry's friends support him as well. Harry loves and is loved.
These things are beyond Voldemort's understanding.

[drummer]

I think Voldemort's biggest weakness is his fear of void or lack.
People lie because they are ashamed of what they are not. People cheat so they can be someone they're not. People kill out of vengence.
The desire to have something that others have and you don't can be very powerful for some people.

[PrtVeela]

Hrmm, I think Voldemorts biggest fear is love, before you bite my head off let me explain.

He has spent all of his life hating, and finding things to hate in people, that I think he believes he is incapable of loving, nor does he understand the ramifications of love, and the powers that love yeilds.

And because Voldemort does not know is powers, nor has he ever felt them, he would fear love above all us, because he does not know of it.

[Barbara Kennedy]

Voldemort also has a great fear of failure.

[Kaonashi]

i wonder what Dumbledore meant when he said "There are worse things than killing a man, Tom.

[v@sh]

Personally I think Voldemort is one of the dumbest villians in movie/book literature I've seen. There have been countless times where he could of easily killed Harry or taken the prophecy without revealing himself, surprising really considering how smart he is suppose to be with 12 O.W.Ls and a whole host of intelligence in magic. But I suppose thats where another of his downfalls are, his use of his brain in strategic planning.

Like the graveyard, why didn't he just apparate in front of Harry instead of firing spells at him or get the death eaters to block Harry from escaping. That would of stopped Harry easily. In the MoM the prophecy is destroyed yet Voldemort goes to the Ministry anyway even though he was avoiding it in the 1st place so not to be revealed, he should have known that it was destroyed through Harry's mind. I agree with all the other things ppl have suggested e.g. his over-confidence etc.

[jordmundt6]

Actually, no. Remember he did try to retrieve the prophecy himself and got hung up because Arthur Weasley was in the way. He finally adopted a "sensible" stance toward Harry, but he let Dumbledore get there in time to influence events. Although he's brilliant, he's not a details man. He forgets basic facts, basic properties, and basic truths that could aid him if he remembered them but become the greatest weapons of his enemies when fighting him.

[persian85033]

I think that Voldemort is afraid of the unknown, like death. He says his goal is to conquer mortal death. Why would anyone want to conquer mortal death? Because he's afraid of it. After all, death is but the next great adventure to the well-organized mind, right. I wonder why he's afraid of it, though. Maybe he can't come back as a ghost, or something. He seems to be obsessed with killing Harry, because he doesn't seem to be giving other things much importance. Does he?

[st_alia]

I`m not impressed with Voldemort because he`s quite a cartoonish villain. I much more like Tom Riddle who gives Voldemort complexity and is more formidable adversary than his immortal snakeface incarnation Lord V (superintense Tom/Harry faceoff in CoS movie, by far the best performance Daniel Radcliffe ever gave, is something I`d like to see again, the 2 had the right chemistry, intensity, it was just perfect). I would like Harry`s final showdown to be with Tom and Dumbledore addressing Lord V as Tom as well as excellent North Tower analysis by Maline give me hope that something like it might happen.

I dunno but I just dig the fact that Harry and Tom are so alike and still so different especially when it comes to "love" issue. Harry had his parent`s love even for short time but it made difference. His mother`s sacrifice filled him with love which was there although he got none from people who raised him, his aunt/uncle/nephew. OTOH, Tom came to this world by unwittingly killing someone - his mother - who died on childbirth leaving him with no one to love him. His father left hiim so Tom was aware that somewhere that man lived and didn`t care whether Tom was dead or alive, whether he was treated right or wrong. Unfortunately, Tom was treated badly, we can only assume that his life in orphanage was much worse than Harry`s life with Dursely`s since Tom turned into raging psychopath.

I think that Tom feels a guilt over his mother`s death and that he sees himself as Angel of Death, someone who`s born to bring death. Which is precisely why he fears death more than anything and I`m free to say he subconcsiously hates it.

I think that his feelings about love are more ambivalent then plain despise and dismissing. He wants it at the same time and taking Harry`s blood which contains Lily`s love as powerful protection is consciously his wish to protect himself from death but subconsciously his desire to get love he never had. Love and death, Eros and Tanatos are connected in psychology so from that POV Voldemort is more complex than given credit for. Hopefully, JKR will give us more insight into Tom/Voldemort`s mind cause I`m sucker for tormented souls.

[dishant]

i think the greatest weakness of he-who-must-not-be-named is love and death. he didn't got love from his parents and he is afraid of death.

[barmy codger]

Dumbledore to Voldemort: "...your failure to understand that there are things much worse than death has always been your greatest weakness."

I would like to know what is worse than death, in Dumbledore's opinion. That is how I found this thread. I was looking for a thread about what is worse than death. If anyone can direct me to it I would be grateful.

[Nikki_Star]

Like all vilians, he is too concerned with extravagence. He needs a plan instead of going head first into the situtation. He could have killed Harry if he really wanted to. I think he is afraid to do it personally. Look at what happened the first time he tried. He knows part of the prophecy..."The other cannot live while the other survives" He know that one of them has to die.

Also, the self-importance thing, he thinks too highly of himself to even think of the simplest and most ancient magics, where no wand or slight of hand is required. He forgot about love because he has never experienced it before. He didn't have the love of a friend, he was worshipped yeah, but loved, no. Feared is more like. He knows power but not that of love. And he'll never know...that's why he forgot about it. why would someone use love against the most powerful dark wizard? How very pompus...

Again, like all villans, he talks too much. :rotfl: I'm kidding, kidding...

[xharrypotterx]

Originally Posted by Nikki Star:
Like all vilians, he is too concerned with extravagence. He needs a plan instead of going head first into the situtation. He could have killed Harry if he really wanted to. I think he is afraid to do it personally. Look at what happened the first time he tried. He knows part of the prophecy..."The other cannot live while the other survives" He know that one of them has to die.

Very true. I to think that Voldemort is somehow afraid of Harry even if it is only sub-concious. He knows that he must kill Harry or Harry will kill him, and I don't think that he sees Harry as a threat in the slightest. It really showed in GoF when Voldemort untied Harry and gave him back his wand. Harry escaped death once again. Voldemort is wising up though. In OotP he finally came to the MoM to end Harry himself....."I have nothing more to say to you, Potter." he said quietly. "You have irked me too often, for too long. AVADA KEDAVRA!"......(OotP pg 213 American hardback), then Dumbledore jumped in and saved Harry. I think he is starting to realize that Harry is becoming a formidable foe, even if this underestimation is not his greatest weakness.

Originally Posted by Nikki Star:
Also, the self-importance thing, he thinks too highly of himself to even think of the simplest and most ancient magics, where no wand or slight of hand is required. He forgot about love because he has never experienced it before. He didn't have the love of a friend, he was worshipped yeah, but loved, no. Feared is more like. He knows power but not that of love. And he'll never know...that's why he forgot about it. why would someone use love against the most powerful dark wizard? How very pompus...

Again, like all villans, he talks too much. I'm kidding, kidding...

I think that Voldemort's greatest weakness is this 'forgetting about love' thing that all cliche villans seem to have. Voldemort severely underestimates the power of love that all villans seem to neglect, and therefore, lead them to their downfall. I'm not saying that the power of love will play a major role (although I think it will) in the downfall of Lord Voldemort, I'm just commenting on the fact that it has been present in the story so far. Especially considering Voldemort's downfall in the first place sprouted out of his underestimation of the power of love.

[hpfan_08]

I think that Voldemorts greatest weakness is not love as Dumbledore said but cockyness. It was his cockyness that allowed Harry to escape the graveyard, it was his cockyness that at thats all for now but there will be more. I bet that his cockyness leads to his defeat.