Hogwarts Legacy and the missed chance to reimagine Potterverse's anti-semitic tropes and stereotypes
As a Jewish person, Hogwarts Legacy and the Potterverse as a whole have been a sore talking point. Though I did not grow up as a fan of the series of books and films, I am intimately aware of how popular it is, and many of the facts surrounding the Potterverse. One of these that feels inescapable is the blatant anti-Semitism that exists within the franchise.
Goblins are openly depicted using classic anti-Semitic tropes of being short, greedy, and corrupt entities responsible for the world’s ills. They are also bankers, and control much of the wealth of the Wizarding World, in the Potterverse, and in Hogwarts Legacy.
The design of Rowling’s goblins were designed after Middle Age era stereotypes, and this game was an excellent time to change course. This is one problem Jewish people have noticed within Hogwarts Legacy.
I am in no way telling you, the player, to boycott the game. I’m also not suggesting that you avoid playing it or scream at players who are enjoying it. It is worth highlighting these things as something Hogwarts Legacy could have avoided, and chose not to.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinion of the writer.
The depiction of goblins has been negative and used anti-Semitic typing since the beginning of the Potterverse. Alongside Middle Age stereotypes, they were also designed similarly to how the book The Protocols of the Elders of Zion portrayed them. The caricatures of Jews in that book are how goblins look in Hogwarts Legacy.
Rowling’s works aren’t unique in this either - it’s incredibly common across fantasy writing and video games. World of Warcraft has done something similar with its own greedy depiction of goblins.
Recently, it was brought to light that a “Goblin Artefact” existed in the game,
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