In an interview in 2005, Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling explained that a character as fearsome and evil as Voldemort is guided by a very human fear at the core: “Voldemort’s fear is death, ignominious death. He thinks that it’s a shameful human weakness, as you know.” This is demonstrated throughout the series, when he goes to great lengths to prolong his life or even become immortal. From splitting his soul into seven pieces to acquiring the Elder Wand, Voldemort “went beyond normal evil” to gain power and, hence, conquer death.