References

Chapters 181–190

All Hope Abandon, Ye Who Enter Here

The quotes in this chapter are from the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri.

Heavy Fields of Scentless Asphodel

The title of this chapter is taken from the poem “Phedre” by Oscar Wilde. The Greek mythology used in this chapter is mainly based on Homer. Best source for Ancient Greek mythology online is Theoi.

An Interesting Find

Ascalaphus was Hades’ orchardist and the guy who tattled on Persephone eating that pomegranate according to Ancient Greek mythology. Persephone’s revenge was to transform him into a screech owl. For more information, please take a look at Theoi.

“the subtle science and exact art of potion making” is part of Snape’s First Year speech and thus, canon.

Dyrim

To quote from the website of Garth Nix’ “Abhorsen” trilogy: “Dyrim, a musical bell, of clear and pretty tone. Dyrim can return the voice that the Dead have so often lost, but Dyrim can also still a tongue that moves too freely.”

Questions …

The quotation is a paraphrased version of the “Sutta Nipāta”, as translated by Rune Johansson.

… And Answers

A hurdy gurdy (also known as a “wheel fiddle”) is a stringed musical instrument in which the strings are sounded by means of a rosined wheel which the strings of the instrument pass over. This wheel, turned with a crank, functions much like a violin bow, making the instrument essentially a mechanical violin. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses tangents (small wedges, usually made of wood) against one or more of these strings to change their pitch. Like most other acoustic string instruments, it has a soundboard to make the vibration of the strings audible. (source: Wikipedia)

A Deal With Death

More background information about my version of Death personified as portrayed in the song “The Organ Grinder” by Franz Schubert may be found on my LiveJournal: here

The question and answer Death refers to are quotes from the poem “Examination at the Womb-Door” by Ted Hughes.

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