More to Gregory Goyle?

[_Dumbly_Dorr_]

Right now I'm reading CoS. I just finished the chapter titled The Dueling Club. Something in it struck me as odd. This is when Harry is trying to make a distraction in Snape's potions class so that Hermione can steal ingredients for the Polyjuice Potion,
CoS, ch.11 pg.187, U.S. edition

Harry ducked swiftly down behind his cauldron, pulled one of Fred's Filibuster fireworks out of his pocket, and gave it a quick prod with his wand. The firework began to fizz and sputter. Knowing he had only seconds, Harry staightened up, took aim, and lobbed it into the air; it landed right on target in Goyle's cauldron.
Goyle's potion exploded, showering the whole class. People shrieked as splashes of the Swelling Solution hit them. Malfoy got a facefull and his nose began to swell like a balloon; Goyle blundering around, his hands over his eyes, which had expanded to the size of a dinner plate - Snape was trying to restore calm and find out what had happened. Through the confusion, Harry saw Hermione slip quietly into Snape's office.

The thing that struck me as odd was that Goyle's potion acually worked! Goyle is supposed to be incredibly stupid yet his Swelling Solution worked. Which made me think that perhaps Goyle was smarter than he let on. There's a couple reasons for this.
1: In the series, students tend to be almost exact likenesses of their fathers, with the exception of Voldemort. Gregory Goyle's father is a Death Eater. I don't think that Voldemort would let someone as stupid as Gregory Goyle's father(assuming there is a father-son likeness upstairs) become a Death Eater.
2:The one I already talked about, his potion worked.

So do you think there's something to it, or am I just being WAY to over analystic?

[CarriePotter]

You might be slightly over analytical, but you bring up an interesting point. Although, I really don't think whether or not Goyle is smart or not will bring any relevance to the plot. But again, your point is interesting.

[Felix__Felicis]

Yes, interesting point. However, since that is about the only time out of all six years in Hogwarts that we hear of Goyle doing something well in class, I think we can safely assume that he will always be rather stupid.

[_Dumbly_Dorr_]

Yeah I kinda figured this wouldn't take off. But at least it didn't get locked! Oh well!

[Markle]

He got lucky then. Crabbe and Goyle are supposed to be the stupid muscle behind Malfoy's operations. I don't think there's anything to it. Also, Voldemort needs stupid meat also. They're thugs, nothing more.

[Rain_Darkwood]

Knowing Malfoy's dependancy on Crabbe and Goyle for muscle, I would say the reason behind Goyle's potion working is that Malfoy was helping him. Considering this is in second year and Malfoy himself is a good potion-maker (he does go on to N.E.W.T. level), he should have sufficient ability to create his own potion and instruct Goyle and Crabbe step-by-step in what to do to make theirs. They wouldn't learn anything about potion-making itself, but would do well enough in class to ensure Malfoy continues to have their support.

As for Goyle's father being a Death Eater, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is a classic dictator type. Numbers are important to him.

[LuvHP_001]

Perhaps he was lucky or Malfoy helped him. I really don't think there's more to him other than being a bodyguard and a minion to Draco. As we learned with the cupcakes and many other situations, he is literally just stupid.

[ParanoidAndroid]

It's funny because he hasn't had one line of dialogue in the entire first six books.

[Fleur du mal]

You know, I wouldn't necessarily link it to that Potions Incident, but I truly believe that there will be a little part to play for Goyle still. His father wasn't imprisoned in the Minsitry like Draco's, and I always thought that this was odd. Normally, it's a downright phrase, 'Crabbe and Goyle', the sons, the fathers, they're always mentioned together. Why was Goyle unfit to join the Ministry crew?

Not to say that Goyle was particularly smart. Possibly not. But that's not the point. You needn't be the sharpest knife in the drawer to play a role in some situation, and sometimes, very silly people people do the right thing still. It's even more impressive then, because you expect clever people to act right, and when they don't you blame them even moreso. But with people famous for their stupidity, you go, 'Aw, that's good, he's as dumb as a piece of bread and still, he's made the right decision'.

[Lothar_Levere]

If you remember in potions they always worked in groups and it was quiet apperent that Malfoy is at least somewhat talented at potions, I'm sure that he would partners with either Crabbe or Goyle. thus an easy explenation as to why the potion worked.

[Sub Zero]

Originally Posted by Lothar_Levere

If you remember in potions they always worked in groups and it was quiet apperent that Malfoy is at least somewhat talented at potions, I'm sure that he would partners with either Crabbe or Goyle. thus an easy explenation as to why the potion worked.

I totally agree.

[Fleur du mal]

And maybe, like Harry sometimes tries with Hermione, Goyle simply copied everything he saw Draco doing.

[Lothar_Levere]

thats exactly what I'm saying if Goyle wasnt' Malfoys partner with Malfoy doing all the work, he was more than likely partnered with someone smarter or just copying them.

[Gabriela]

Making only one good potion doesn't mean that Goyle is smart. It was his task. And he pass all the exams:
"They had hoped that Goyle, who was almost as stupid as he was mean, might be thrown out, but he had passed, too. It was a shame, but as Ron said, you couldn't have everything in life." (PS/SS, The man whit two faces)

[blue3ski]

Originally Posted by _Dumbly_Dorr_

The thing that struck me as odd was that Goyle's potion acually worked! Goyle is supposed to be incredibly stupid yet his Swelling Solution worked. Which made me think that perhaps Goyle was smarter than he let on. There's a couple reasons for this.
1: In the series, students tend to be almost exact likenesses of their fathers, with the exception of Voldemort. Gregory Goyle's father is a Death Eater. I don't think that Voldemort would let someone as stupid as Gregory Goyle's father(assuming there is a father-son likeness upstairs) become a Death Eater.
2:The one I already talked about, his potion worked.

Well, as other posters have said, it was with Malfoy's help that Goyle got by.

Also, Voldemort needs stupid people who won't question or even think about his orders

[horcrux4]

I agree with those who reckon Goyle was being helped by Malfoy. I doubt Snape would criticise that either as he liked his Slytherins to do well.

I wonder if Goyle (and Crabbe come to that) weren't that good at magic because they had muscle which got them what they wanted, if you see what I mean? If you can rely on your muscle you don't need magic so much.

Also, was Goyle even stupider than Crabbe? The quote from PS suggests that it was only Goyle they were expecting to see thrown out. So was Crabbe the nicer brighter goon?

[Aphasia]

Or maybe they are as stupid as we think. They might be able to follow directions. The book's are done with a definite Griffendor slant. Crabbe and Goyle aren't geniuses by any means, but after all, how many times have Ron and Harry needed Hermione's help with homework?

[marebear02]

I agree with everyone that said that Goyle was just copying Malfoy or another brighter student than he. I believe it was stated in HBP that Goyle was taking potions again in hopes to pass his OWL this time around, so that means he is definitely not very bright when it comes to potions. If I am wrong somebody please correct me. I also agree with the fact that Voldemort needs muscle bound goons who are not very bright to make his plans successful.

[horcrux4]

It just says

HBP p 173 UK hardback Crabbe and Goyle had evidently failed to achieve the required OWL grade (in potions)

I'm sure they were retaking something though, just can't remember what to look it up!

[Ryzen]

I'm pretty sure they're dumb as rocks or something below that... someones bound to get lucky sometimes though, right? Even if you have no mind of your own. It'll remain a mystery I'm sure...