Goblins are a highly intelligent humanoid species in the Harry Potter book series. They are short in height and have long fingers. They generally co-exist peacefully in the wizarding world and are employed in professions involving the wizarding economy which they control to a large extent.
About[]
Goblins have long noses, long, thin fingers and are short in height.[1] They are highly intelligent, economically clever, are very capable metalsmiths and they have their own branch of wandless magic. They do not want to be considered in servitude to wizards and try to forge their own worth to society. They are established and highly-respected in economic professions, controlling the economy to a large extent and running Gringotts.[1]
History[]
Throughout the history of the wizarding world, goblins have held several rebellions to fight against prejudice and to gain rights.[2] In the minds of many wizards, goblins are subservient and are forbidden by the Ministry of Magic from using wands.[3]
Goblins attended the first summit held by the Wizards' Council to classify magical creatures into a beast or being. Burdock Muldoon, the Chief, considered a being to be a two-legged creatures. Goblins brought as many two-legged creature as they could regardless of their level of intelligence and ability to understand wizarding law. Goblins also attended the second gathering held by a new Chief, Elfrida Clagg. She defined beasts to be creatures that could talk and be understood. The goblins taught trolls a few simple sentences so they could reach the criteria but they just used their clubs to destroy the chamber.[4]
In the late seventeeth century, goblins were invited to a meeting with the International Statute of Secrecy to discuss concealing magical creatures in accordance with the International Statute of Secrecy. After seven weeks of discussion, goblins were the ones in attendance to disagree with the decision that twenty-seven creatures had to be hidden.[5]
There was a third gathering in the nineteenth century to decide how to classify which creatures are beasts or beings. Goblins were finally classified as a being because they can understand and shape wizarding law. However, trolls were questioned without goblin representatives and did not prove that they could. Hence, they were classified a beast.[4]
Red Caps are a goblin-like creature.[6] Goblins have been known to keep Nifflers to hunt for treasure.[7]
During an attack by Death Eaters after the final of the 422nd Quidditch World Cup, a group of goblins hid out in the forest where they cackled over gold that they had won via betting and appeared to be unbothered by what else was going on.[8]
Known goblins[]
Notes and sources[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 5
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Chapter 15
- ↑ Archived information from the old version of JKRowling.com: W.O.M.B.A.T. test (Grade 1)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (What is a Beast?)
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Introduction (A Brief History of Muggle Awareness of Fantastic Beasts)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Chapter 8
- ↑ Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: An A-Z of Fantastic Beasts (Niffler)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Chapter 9