Final answer:
Voldemort is depicted with terrifying looks and evil behavior, known for his ruthlessness and fear-inducing presence. J.K. Rowling uses character reactions and dialogue to make it clear that he is the antagonist of the Harry Potter series. The contrast between his portrayal and the positive descriptions of characters like Hagrid underscores Voldemort's role as the ultimate villain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Voldemort is depicted as the quintessential antagonist in the Harry Potter series. His looks are characterized by a serpentine appearance, devoid of hair, with slits for nostrils and pale skin, giving him a ghastly and otherworldly presence. This appearance reflects his dark and twisted inner nature. Voldemort's behaviour is marked by his ruthlessness, lack of empathy, and thirst for power. He is driven by a deep fear of death and will go to any lengths to achieve immortality and absolute control, even if it means killing innocents or betraying his followers.
The author, J.K. Rowling, portrays Voldemort as evil by showing his cruel actions and the terror he instills in both the magical and muggle worlds. Throughout the series, other characters' fear and revulsion toward Voldemort establish him as a symbol of ultimate evil. His name alone is dreaded, leading many to refer to him as 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'. In the character development arc, Harry Potter witnessed the complexity of good and evil, learning that initial judgments of characters' morals can be misguided, yet Voldemort consistently embodies malevolence.
Voldemort's malevolent nature is conveyed through the speech used by the characters when discussing him and his actions. The dialogue about him is often filled with a sense of urgency and danger, signifying his role as the story's primary antagonist. In contrast to the kind-hearted Hagrid, whose description in Extract 1 paints him as a gentle giant, Voldemort is never spoken of in any endearing manner, further solidifying his position as the embodiment of evil in the narrative.