10 Quotes That Prove Dolores Umbridge Is The Most Evil Character In The Harry Potter Movies

The Harry Potter saga boasts some incredible villains, but none are perhaps more sinister than Dolores Umbridge. On the surface, she may be roses and sunshine, but there’s a dark edge to this professor; one that would eventually see her align with Lord Voldemort himself.

Umbridge’s main weapons are her words. These quotes demonstrate just how barbed her sentences can be. She is manipulative, very well-versed in the world of gaslighting, and a complete control freak. Her racist ideology and distaste for children are clearly evident, but these quotes also highlight exactly how her ideal world would look. It’s certainly not a pleasant place.

Honorable Mention: The Laugh

While it’s not a full-on quote, Harry Potter fans will be well aware that a certain sound has been associated with the former defense against the dark arts professor since her cinematic debut. Umbridge’s laugh is somehow both sinister and always manages to portray how patronizing the character is.

It’s used in some of the most inappropriate of places and the laugh itself is both high-pitched and pretty annoying. Strangely, the sound has managed to be utilized in a number of situations though, from a supposedly polite way to interrupt her seniors to conveying genuine joy for the cruelty she is dishing out.

Umbridge’s Desire For Control (Order Of The Phoenix)

“I Will Have Order!”

Dolores Umbridge is enamored by the concept of order. She is ecstatic with the idea that she can enforce plenty of new rules on Hogwarts and will be the person responsible for re-organizing the entire system. It may be that the school of witchcraft and wizardry needs change, but certainly not Umbridge’s idea of it.

Indeed, it becomes a kind of battle cry, as Umbridge reminds herself and those around her that she must have order, especially in the most chaotic of situations. It’s a line that she carries with her till her final appearance in Order Of The Phoenix, as she is dragged away by the Centaurs. When things are totally out of her control, the situation doesn’t really compute for the temporary head of Hogwarts.

Umbridge’s False Fact’s (Order Of The Phoenix)

“You Have Been Told A Certain Dark Wizard Is At Large Once Again. This Is A Lie.”

It’s easy for someone in a position of power to spread lies in order to continue to maintain peace and of course order. Umbridge utilized her own false facts to hide the truth from her students, that Lord Voldemort had risen again and was a genuine threat to the wizarding world.

For someone who tells so many, Umbridge is obsessed with lies and how damaging they can be. Her own narrative is completely skewed though and she gaslights Hogwarts to force them into believing that the world isn’t slowly getting darker. Ironically, Umbridge wants to be a part of that changing world and is happy to disarm those who could fight against it.

Selective Sorcerery (Deathly Hallows: Part 1)

“Wands Only Choose Witches, And You Are Not A Witch.”

Despite the dramatic conclusion to her arc in Order Of The Phoenix, Umbridge manages to land on her feet in Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Now working within the ministry of magic, the truth has been revealed as Dolores voices her most evil intentions towards those without pure blood.

Her exclamation that the woman sitting in front of her is not a witch due to her lack of pure magical blood, is full of venom. It’s racist, diabolical, and is matched by her ability to strip the sorceress of her wand. Everything within Umbridge’s story lines up and it becomes clear how her values would match that of the Death Eaters.

Umbridge Takes Hogwarts (Order Of The Phoenix)

“Things At Hogwarts Are Worse Than I Feared”

From the moment she stepped foot in the Great Hall Umbridge saw exactly what she wanted to. It’s fair to say that the character got worse and worse in that respect, eventually drawing her to predict that the behavior at Hogwarts would spiral without her intervention.

Stating things were worse than she feared is a lie once more, as she always knew she would make a grab for power. In doing so she paints herself as a savior; the leader that the school really needs amidst the trials and tribulations. The students and staff would definitely disagree with her though, eventually ousting the vile teacher. This was the turning point in her journey.

The Truth Comes Out About Her Job (Order Of The Phoenix)

“You Know I Really Hate Children.”

It’s in the moments of desperation that the evil edge to Umbridge repeatedly surfaces. In the middle of the Forbidden Forest, surrounded by the youth that she despises, Dolores remarks that she actually hates children. It’s yet another signal that she took the job as part of a power play in the ministry.

If it wasn’t already obvious, Umbridge does not care for the people working or living at Hogwarts. The quality of the studies is not her concern, but much like any fascist authoritarian, the desire to control children’s education allows her to define the future.

Umbridge’s Motto (Order Of The Phoenix)

“I Must Not Tell Lies.”

Umbridge really is obsessed with the truth, or at least her version of it. There’s one infamous scene that will forever be associated with the former defense against the dark arts teacher, and indeed one that had a profound impact both physically and emotionally on Harry Potter.

Umbridge’s medieval methods are unleashed upon the boy who lived, as the quill she lends him to write lines with, allows the words to be etched onto his hand rather than the page. The mantra of “I must not tell lies,” is even crueler when considering that everything she is persecuting her pupils for is the truth.

Hiding Things From The Boss (Order Of The Phoenix)

“What Cornelious Doesn’t Know Won’t Hurt Him.”

For someone who absolutely loves authority, as is evidenced by Umbridge in the books and her increased role in the Ministry, Dolores is happy to ignore the law when it suits her. She views the rules as something that applies to everyone else, but she is a higher power than any law.

It’s why she puts herself in a position of authority, but it is even eviler for her to acknowledge that she is doing wrong and instead just hide it from the Minister of Magic himself. Ultimately, if she places herself above Cornelious Fudge then it’s clear who she believes she should really answer to. The Dark Lord himself.

Going To Any Measure (Order Of The Phoenix)

“The Cruciatous Curse Ought To Loosen Your Tongue.”

Umbridge already has a vast amount of tools in her belt to get exactly what she wants. For her to turn to illegal measures to get her version of the truth from Harry Potter, truly demonstrates her priorities. Anything she does to the boy who lives, she’d be happy to do to any other student as well.

When Snape’s truth serum proves to be elusive it’s the banned Cruciatous Curse that Umbridge wants to lean on next. Despite claiming that her actions are regretful, there’s a gleam in the eyes of a woman who actually takes great joy from inflicting her punishments.

Disrespect For Magical Creatures (Order Of The Phoenix)

“You Filthy Animal. Don’t You Know Who I Am?”

Anyone who doesn’t match exactly what Umbridge believes a witch or wizard should be is filthy in the sorcerer’s eyes. It’s a bigoted point of view and one that was extended towards Hagrid thanks to his Giant blood. Of course, magical creatures are even fouler for the perfectionist.

When the Centaurs surround her, Umbridge forgets about trying to bring control to the situation, instead voicing her genuine ideology. She appears to think she has authority over every being that lives or breathes, while also talking down to the Centaurs as if they are foul beasts that require training. Her range of views really do showcase that she is one of the most evil characters in the saga.

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