JKR refers to him as having "died."
The name "Merope" is interesting. It continues the celestial theme (Andromeda, Bellatrix), but also relates to myth. Merope was one of the Pleiades, all of whom and their mother were pursued by Orion the hunter. Merope rejected Orion and married a mortal, Sisyphus. Undeterred, Orion still pursued them, until they pled for assistance from Zeus. He transformed them into doves and later to stars, though Merope, because she married a mortal, was the dimmest star of the group.
Merope Gaunt married a normal human against his will and was "punished" (he left her and she died).
Hmm. Bellatrix means "female warrior" and Andromeda was the bride of the heroic Perseus. JKR doesn't pick names by chance, so it likely means something.
Thoughts?
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07-29-2005, 10:23 PM
Hybrid Mode
