Whether you know it or not, there is a Hogwarts house that you belong to, and the case is no different for our favorite literary characters!
20. Achilles – Gryffindor
From: The Iliad by Homer
Hero of the Trojan War, Achilles is the greatest of all of the Greek warriors, and the central character of Homer’s The Iliad. Son of the sea nymph Thetis and the King of Myrmidons Peleus, Achilles is a demigod, a minor deity, or a being with partial divine status, and therefore possesses incredible strength and endurance, so much so that the gods themselves have to restrain him before he sacks Troy before its allotted time of destruction, showing that his unhindered power is so monumental that it could defy fate itself.
While it’s debatable whether or not Achilles should be considered a morally righteous figure in literature, there’s no doubt that he exemplifies the attributes of a true Gryffindor! While his ambition and leadership could qualify him as a Slytherin, it’s his courage, his willingness to put himself directly in harms way, that makes him a Gryffindor.
19. mulan – gryffindor
From: The Ballad of Hua Mulan by Song Nan Zhang
While Mulan may have gained the most popularity with Western audiences thanks to her 1998 Disney animated film of the same name, the character’s true origin’s stem much further back – over 1,500 years back. In The Ballad of Hua Mulan, we first see Mulan sitting worriedly at her loom, as one male from each family is called to serve in the army to defend the Tuoba realm from Rouran invaders. Her father is old and weak, and her younger brother is just a child, so she decides to take his place, fighting off the savage hordes of twelve years until she returns home, donning her old clothes and living out her remaining years as a woman once again.
While Mulan’s sense of loyalty to her clan may make her a contender for House Hufflepuff, it’s her heroism that truly shines through, making her an indisputable Gryffindor.
18. arya stark – gryffindor
From: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R Martin
Arya Stark, daughter of Lord Eddard and Lady Catelyn of Winterfell, may be only nine years old at the beginning of A Game of Thrones, but that doesn’t make her any less of a warrior. From training to sword fight with Syrio Forel in King’s Landing to learning the ways of an assassin at the House of Black and White in Braavos, Arya has, over the course of George R.R Martin’s five installments of A Song of Ice and Fire, has not only proven her exceptional fighting ability, but also her bravery.
But what really makes Arya Stark a Gryffindor is her chivalry. While she is exceptionally cruel to her enemies, she still defends those who cannot defend themselves, the highest quality of an honorable knight.
17. big brother – slytherin
From: 1984 by George Orwell
Big Brother is the leader of Oceania, a totalitarian state wherein the ruling political party, Ingsoc, wields complete control over the populace. In this society described by George Orwell, every citizen is under constant surveillance, and any act of disobedience against the state, no matter how minuscule, is met with said offender mysteriously disappearing the next day.
Big Brother is the epitome of ambition unchecked by moral constraints, which makes him a born Slytherin. While the Slytherin reputation has been tainted by a certain snake-man who shall remain nameless, it’s those like Big Brother who don’t help scrub away the black stains on the Slytherin sigil.
16. aunt lydia – slytherin
From: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Armed with a cattle prod, Aunt Lydia is one of the many “Aunts” responsible for re-educating the Handmaid’s at the Red Center. A contributing member of the Gileadean government, Aunt Lydia is complicit in sustaining the oppressive regime that has overthrown the United States and consolidates its power as a military dictatorship, one which heavily restricts the rights of all of its citizens, but most especially the women.
However, in the novel’s epilogue, we are provided with perhaps a more sympathetic justification for Aunt Lydia’s actions. In a transcript of a symposium in 2195, a professor teaches about Gilead, in which he states that, by joining the Aunts, women “escape redundancy, and consequent shipment to the infamous colonies.” In other words, Aunt Lydia very well may have only been contributing to Gilead’s control so she wasn’t a victim of its cruel punishments, and it’s this resourcefulness that makes her a perfect Slytherin.
15. effie trinket – slytherin
From: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Effie Trinket is the escort of the District 12 tributes, which essentially means that her main duty is to accompany the tributes and help them adjust to the lifestyle of the Capitol as they prepare for the Hunger Games.
What makes Effie a Slytherin is her love of guiding the tributes of District 12. While she eventually recognizes how brutal and inhumane the practice of the Hunger Games is, the leadership qualities she displays while attempting to help Katniss and Peeta assimilate in Capitol life is clear.
14. iago – slytherin
From: Othello by William Shakespeare
Iago is a soldier who has fought beside Othello for several years, and within that time has become his most trusted advisor. At the beginning of the play, Iago claims to have been unfairly passed over for promotion to the rank of Othello’s lieutenant in favor of Michael Cassio, and plots to manipulate Othello into demoting Cassio, and thereafter to bring about the downfall of Othello himself. He has an ally, Roderigo, who assists him in his plans in the mistaken belief that after Othello is gone, Iago will help Roderigo earn the affection of Othello’s wife, Desdemona. After Iago engineers a drunken brawl to ensure Cassio’s demotion, he sets to work on his second scheme: leading Othello to believe that Desdemona is having an affair with Cassio.
It’s probably already quite clear to you what makes Iago a Slytherin, but in case you’re still unaware, it’s his ruthless deceit and merciless ambition to usurp Othello’s position. He’s regarded as one of the most villainous characters in all of Shakespearean literature, and it’s quite easy to see why!
13. Peter Pan – slytherin
From: Peter and Wendy by J.M Barrie
A free spirited and mischievous young boy, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood having adventures on the mystical island Neverland. While the height of Peter Pan’s ambition may just be to get in trouble and have fun, it’s his opportunistic mind that makes him a Slytherin, that and his leadership qualities.
As the captain of the Lost Boys, Peter Pan has amassed a large following of Boys who who fall out of their prams when the nurse is looking the other way and if they are not claimed in seven days, they are sent far away to the Neverland. Peter’s leadership qualities are also symbolized to the reader with his last name, as “Pan” is also the name of the Greek god of shepherds and flocks.
12. Professor moriarty – slytherin
From: The Final Problem by Sir Author Conan Doyle
Professor Moriarty is a Machiavellian criminal mastermind who is often regarded as Sherlock Holmes’ arch nemesis. In The Final Problem, Moriarty is introduced as a kingpin who protects all of the villains and gangsters in England in exchange for their obedience and a cut of the profits they make. He’s an extremely tall and thin man, a pale and sunken face and forehead that “domes out in a white curve”, giving him the eerie appearance of a walking skeleton.
It’s obvious as to why Moriarty is of House Slytherin. Not only does his control of the entire English criminal underground illustrate his aspiration as well as his leadership expertise, but the fact that he could go toe-to-toe with one of the most brilliant private detectives in all the world shows the extent of his craft.
11. loki – ravenclaw
From: Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Loki, the God of Mischief, adoptive son of Odin and sibling of Thor, is perhaps one of Marvel’s most famous supervillains. Throughout his childhood and into his adolescence, Loki was resentful of how different he and Thor were treated by the citizens of Asgard. While they valued strength, tenacity and bravery in battle, Loki lacked these qualities, and was therefore seen as inferior to his brother. Yet what Loki excelled in was his skill as a sorcerer, and as he grew, his mischievousness would eventually grow into malice as his hunger for power grew.
While Loki’s aspiration of usurping his father Odin’s position as ruler of Asgard may make him a better Slytherin, it’s his acute sense of wit that makes him fit better in House Ravenclaw.
10. James Bond – ravenclaw
From: James Bond series by Ian Fleming
The most smooth and suave womanizer since Moulay Ismail (look him up), James Bond, international spy for MI6, may have gained a mainstream following after the release of his movies in the 60’s and 70’s, but his origins stem back to the 50’s with his series of novels written by Ian Fleming. An intelligence officer, it’s 007’s job to understand the value of information, and it’s this, along with his quick one-liners (even if they are quite cheesy most of the time) that make him a perfect fit for House Ravenclaw.
9. nick carraway – ravenclaw
From: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Born in the Midwest, he moved to West Egg after World War 1, a wealthy enclave of Long Island, to learn about the bond business, yet encounters the illustrious Jay Gatsby, and he is immediately intrigued by the mysterious socialite, especially when he introduces him to gangster Meyer Wolfsheim, who is rumored to have helped Gatsby make his fortune in the bootleg business.
Not only is Nick Carraway a Ravenclaw because of his desire to learn, especially about Jay Gatsby’s cryptic past, but he’s also a Hufflepuff because of the wisdom he gains from observing the life of The New Yorker elites.
8. sansa stark – ravenclaw
From: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R Martin
First we had Arya Stark, now we have Sansa. Originally betrothed to Joffrey Baratheon, she quickly learns the prince’s true nature, and suffers under his threats of violence for years until she finally escapes King’s Landing with the help of Littlefinger, A.K.A Petyr Baelish. Throughout the remainder of the series, she poses as his illegitimate daughter Alayna Stone, being taken to the Vale of Arryn and forced to marry her aunt Lysa Arryn’s son Robert.
So what makes Sansa a Ravenclaw? While she may appear to be nothing more than a wilted flower being passively carried throughout Westeros, she has been paying careful attention to those around her, and has learned, whether willingly or not, that the world is not as chivalrous and knightly as she previous believed when she was behind the castle walls of Westeros. By the end of A Feast For Crows, Sansa’s naïveté has all but disappeared, and it is this wisdom that she’s learned the value of that makes her a Ravenclaw.
7. Rue – Hufflepuff
From: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A 12-year-old tribute from District 11, Rue warns Katniss about a nest of tracker jackers. After Katniss unleashes the wasps on the unsuspecting Career pack below, Rue continues to follow her (it’s implied that he’s been following her long before then) and offers to heal her tracker jack wounds. The two then form an alliance which persists until Rue is speared through the abdomen, killing her.
Rue is a Hufflepuff because of her strongest characteristic: her patience. Not only has she been serving as Katniss’ shadow, but she’s also been stalking the other tributes, gaining information about them without being noticed, which also correlates with a Hufflepuff’s understanding of the value of wisdom, which is especially important in the battlefield. Regardless, it’s Rue’s patience, both with her friends and her enemies, that makes her a Hufflepuff.
6. daisy buchanan – hufflepuff
From: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerland
Daisy Buchanan is a beautiful young woman from Louisville, Kentucky, and is not only Nick Carraway’s cousin but also the object of Gatsby’s love. As a young debutante in Louisville, Daisy was extremely popular among the military officers stationed near her home, including Jay himself, who eventually won her heart, but in 1919, after Jay left to fight in World War 1, she married Tom Buchanan, and moved to West Egg.
While Daisy Buchanan doesn’t possess the loyalty of a Hufflepuff, nor the patience, she does possess a Hufflepuff’s wisdom, which is exemplified when she declares how she wishes her daughter will be “a beautiful little fool”. While this may be initially puzzling, this statement of hers means that she understands how society values only a woman’s appearance rather than her intelligence, and she wishes her daughter to be too foolish to recognize the cruelty of the world. It may be a pessimistic outlook, but it’s certainly a true one.
5. jon snow – hufflepuff
From: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R Martin
While Jon may not be a Stark like his siblings, he still exercises an unshakable loyalty to Winterfell and the Stark family, going so far as to attempt to abandon his post at the Night’s Watch (which is punishable by death) in order to help Robb face off against the Lannister armies. Later in the book series, Jon also shows a remarkable sense of loyalty to the Night’s Watch, especially after becoming Lord Commander. Yet it’s not only Jon Snow’s devotion that makes him a Hufflepuff, but it’s also his wisdom. While he doesn’t start as a wise character – in fact, he’s so ignorant of the way the world works that “You know nothing, Jon Snow” has become a meme at this point – he learns over time, and it’s this willingness to grow intellectually and emotionally that also makes him a Hufflepuff.
4. frodo baggins – hufflepuff
From: The Lord of the Rings by J R.R Tolkien
Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo Baggins and cousin of Bilbo Baggins, lives in the Shire with the rest of the hobbits in Middle Earth until he inherent the One Rings and sets off on a quest to destroy the ancient relic by casting it in the fires of Mordor in which it was forged. Frodo is repeatedly wounded during the quest, and becomes increasingly burdened by the Ring as it nears Mordor. He changes, too, growing in understanding and compassion, and also avoiding violence, and it’s this growth, this gaining of wisdom, that makes him a perfect fit for House Hufflepuff – oh, and also the tremendous amount of hard work that it took to basically walk from one side of the planet to the other.
3. annabeth chase – ravenclaw
From: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Think back to your childhood when you cracked open Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, and you’ll remember Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena and sidekick (and later girlfriend) of Percy Jackson. What makes Annabeth a Ravenclaw is her extensive knowledge on the world of the Greek gods. Throughout the books, she serves as Percy’s Ancient Greek myth database, but she also uses her quick mind and problem solving skills to escape danger on several significant occasions, from answering the Sphinx’s riddle in The Battle of the Labyrinth to distracting Polyphemus in The Sea of Monsters. She’s also the daughter of the goddess of wisdom, which certainly helps.
2. ophelia – hufflepuff
From: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, the sister of Laertes, and up until the beginning of the play’s events, she has also been romantically involved with Hamlet. Ophelia’s relationships with these men restrict her agency and eventually lead to her death. From her very first scene, men tell Ophelia what to do. In Act One, scene three, where we first meet her, Laertes and Polonius admonish Ophelia not to trust Hamlet’s expressions of love. Despite the force of their warnings, Laertes and Polonius both trust Ophelia to make her own decisions. However, as the question of Hamlet’s state of mind increasingly dire, Polonius tightens the reins on his daughter. At the top of Act Three Polonius forces Ophelia to return Hamlet’s letters and renounce his affections. Ophelia obeys, but her action sends Hamlet into a fit of misogynistic rage. Soon after, Hamlet mistakenly kills Polonius. The combination of her former lover’s cruelty and her father’s death sends Ophelia into a fit of grief. In Act Four she spirals into madness and dies under ambiguous circumstances. Ophelia’s tragedy lies in the way she loses her innocence through no fault of her own. It’s this passivity (a detrimental passivity, but a passivity nonetheless) that makes her a Hufflepuff, as what is passivity if not patience amongst oppression?
1. nancy drew – hufflepuff
From: Nancy Drew series by Carolyn Keene
And last, and certainly not least, we have Nancy Drew! Which Nancy has gone through many interpretations and revisions throughout the decades, she’s always retained her amateur detective statues. While definitely no Sherlock Holmes, Nancy Drew has still solved dozens of mysteries, all thanks to her insatiable appetite for uncovering the truth, which makes her a tried and true Hufflepuff!