Magizoology: the magical creatures studies J. K. Rowling's postulates on animals in "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" on examples from Graeco-Roman mythology

The Harry Potter universe is constructed of symbols and images that have their roots in many different cultural traditions – among others in Greek and Roman mythology. J.K. Rowling, as a classicist, has exploited these traditions in a consequent way to create a specific, yet still vividly mythological representation of the magical creatures. These creatures primarily are: Centaurs, Merpeople (Sirens), a Phoenix, and a Cerberus. I analyze these figures in the context of animal studies, focusing on the matter of naming them either „beasts”, „pets” or „beings”. I try to show how this authoritative procedure influences the perception of magical creatures in the social and political life of the wizarding world by placing them on an artificial hierarchical scale. The research material consists of the Harry Potter series as well as Rowling’s book, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them