Beast is a classification created by the Ministry of Magic to categorise creatures in the wizarding world. The definition of a beast is a creature that can't understand the laws of the wizarding world and can't have any part in shaping those laws.[1] A beast capable of human speech is very rarely self-taught.[2]
History[]
First definition[]
Centuries ago, wizarding governments first thought it was necessary to integrate non-wizards into their council by putting different species into categories depending on their ability to understand and adhere to wizarding laws - those who can have a voice in governance and who is truly worthy of certain legal rights. Those that could were to be labelled a being, while other creatures were to be classified a beast.[1]
The first attempt to define a beast was in the fourteenth century by Burdock Muldoon, Chief of the Wizards' Council. Burdock tried to define a being as any creature that walks on two legs. However, at his summit to discuss new magical laws, some two-legged creatures did not possess a high enough level of intelligence to understand wizarding law and were therefore more suited to the classification of beast. His definition of being failed to include the creatures that did, like centaurs, simply because they are four-legged.[1]
Burdock's summit was a disaster. Goblins purposefully brought as many two-legged creatures they could find regardless of their abilities and nature. Diricawls kept squawking, Augureys kept shrieking and Fwoopers kept singing which meant very little was heard. Pixies and fairies whirled around while a dozen or so trolls ripped apart the chamber with clubs. Hags glided in search of children to eat and the Council Chief slipped on a pile of Porlock dung when they tried to open the meeting. Burdock was very upset about the events and decided they could do without the integration of non-wizards into the Wizards' Council.[1]
Second effort[]
Burdock's successor, Elfrida Clagg redefined what a beast is. She considered a being to be a creature that can speak in human tongue while a beast can't. Creatures that could make themselves understood were asked to attend a gathering so they could prove their ability to speak. However, the trolls that showed up had been taught a few simple sentences by goblins and proceeded to destroy the hall with their clubs. Jarveys ran under the table and bit any ankles they could reach. Ghosts left in protest when they realised the needs of the living were to be prioritised. Centaurs, now classified as beings, protested by refusing to attend because the new definition did not include merpeople who can only speak Mermish above water.[1]
Finalised definition[]
In 1811, Grogan Stump redefined a beast and being. A being is a creature with enough intelligence to understand the laws of the wizarding world and "bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws". With this, Stump ensured that creatures like trolls, who were questioned without goblin representatives and did not understand what was being said to them, and fairies, pixies and gnomes received the categorisation of beast.[1]
However, this is not without criticism. Centuars objected to be classified a being because they did not want to be put in the same group as Dark creatures including hags and vampires. A year later, merpeople had the same request. Thus, both centaurs and merpeople have the beast status. Creatures like Acromantulas and Manticores are capable of a human level of intelligence but behave in savage and dangerous ways so they also received the "beast" classification. At some point, there were calls for Muggles to be classified beasts.[1] Werewolves were shunted between the Beast and Being Divisions for years. They are now considered to be a being when they are human and a beast when they are a werewolf. The Ministry of Magic has a Beast Division.[3]
Ghosts could have fallen under the being definition but they consider themselves "has-beens" and do not feel the definitions of a being or beast to be an adequate description of what they are. Stump then decided to create a new classification, spirit, and set up a Spirit Division.[1]
Classifications for beasts[]
To ensure the safety of witches and wizards, the Ministry of Magic gives classifications to every creature. This gives insight into and a warning for the perceived dangerousness of each creature:
| Classification | Definition |
|---|---|
| XXXXX | Known wizard killer/impossible to train or domesticate |
| XXXX | Dangerous/requires specialist knowledge/skilled wizard may handle |
| XXX | Competent wizard should cope |
| XX | Harmless/may be domesticated |
| X | Boring |
Known beasts[]
Notes and sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (What is a Beast?)
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts (Acromantula)
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: About the Author