Harry pulling Gryffindor's sword out of the hat

[Daisy]

I just realized the other day that the scene where Harry pulls the sword out of the sorting hat was similar to in the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table where Arthur pulls the sword out of the stone.
"Only a true Gryffindor could have pulled that sword out of the hat"
"Only the true and rightful king could pull that sword out of the stone."

I'm definitely not an expert on the story of King Arthur, but I'm pretty sure that's what happened. Do you think that was where Rowling got the idea? Do you think it was a sort of hint to the fact that Harry was destined for greatness, just like Arthur? You know, the chosen one, the greatest king of Camelot. Or is it just a coincidence?

Thanks :)

[Anna]

Interesting idea. That might very well have been the reasoning behind it. And especially when you consider his friends: Dumbledore may be like Merlin, Ron Hermione, Neville, Luna, Ginny, etc his Knights of the Round Table, living in an "adoptive" situation with horrible "family" before realizing who he is ("Yer a wizard, Harry.").

Yes, it's very possible! I'm for it! :)

[Daisy]

Thanks, Eliza. I like what you said about Merlin being Dumbledore, that's cool. It's weird though because they're both on the chocolate frog cards!

[Rachel]

There has been a lot of discussion in this actually. People also think that all of the Weasley's names come from that story. Now, I'm no expert either, but the name comparisons I saw made sense. I'd say thats defininatly where she got the idea for the sword.

[Samantha]

In the movie didn't Neville also pulled the sword out of the sorting hat as well?? Or am I remember that incorrectly?

[Sophie]

Samantha wrote: "In the movie didn't Neville also pulled the sword out of the sorting hat as well?? Or am I remember that incorrectly?"

He pulled it out of the hat in Deathly (in the books). Towards the end and then he slayed Nagini.

[Samantha]

Sophie wrote: "Samantha wrote: "In the movie didn't Neville also pulled the sword out of the sorting hat as well?? Or am I remember that incorrectly?"

He pulled it out of the hat in Deathly (in the books). Towar..."
So they followed the book then

[Daisy]

Rachel wrote: "There has been a lot of discussion in this actually. People also think that all of the Weasley's names come from that story. Now, I'm no expert either, but the name comparisons I saw made sense. I'..."

I never knew that about the Weasley's names. The only ones I can think of in common are: Arthur (Arthur Pendragon and Arthur Weasley) and Percy/Percival (Sir Percival and Percy Wealsley). And, yeah, I did think when I was making the discussion if I was making an obvious point that everyone knew anyway but. . .

[AgCl]

maybe, but Harry never knew the sword was in the hat and any true Gryffindor could've pulled the sword out of the hat, not just one person.

You could try looking for Jo's old interviews and see if there's anything related to King Arthur.

[Daisy]

Yeah, I know it's not exactly the same in that respect, but I still think it's very similar.