(Another note: that while Gellert has been physically neglected he must know something of what’s been going on. In his final scene he is expecting Voldemort and even knows and says his name. Either he has some way of getting the news - like Sirius got a newspaper in the other wizarding prison of Azkaban - or he has been personally informed, perhaps by Dumbledore, of what may come.)
Later, when Harry mentions this scene between Voldemort and Grindelwald to Dumbledore, he claims that Grindelwald tried to stop Voldemort by a lie about never having the wand and Dumbledore adds that it was said Gellert showed remorse in later years and that this may have been an attempt to make amends.
Personality:
Earlier years: Grindelwald is an eternal optimist, even an idealist. When faced with his own death at the hands of a wizard alleged to be even more powerful than himself - and after over fifty years of his own imprisonment where by all physical appearances he was severely neglected and starved - he reacts by laughing mockingly and taunting Voldemort to kill him. He's not afraid of death. He's not really afraid of anything - except to face his old friend Dumbledore. But even for that it wasn't fear of the man himself, only of possibly the disappointment or accusations he thought may come his way.
He can rarely be brought down to any negatively emotional places (besides his temper, which may flare but disappear again with a laugh soon afterwards). He has an assured cockiness and a vibrant personality that is infectious, making him very adept at charming people with his manner, looks and words. In general, he will be polite, often in an old fashioned way, with much sweeping bows and kissing of ladies' hands. He does have good manners though sometimes he will forget to use them.
He's not inclined to murder or torture unless he's provoked - but he can be provoked easily if certain things are said (condemning his actions or ideas without logical reasons given) and if he doesn't get his own way - example: if his natural charms are doing little to get him the desired results. He will be volatile in those cases and sometimes even a little childishly vindictive. When roused his temper is terrible. Most of the time, however, he is seemingly light and easygoing, often laughing and having a mischievous streak.
Latter years: Considering how he acts when faced with his death by Voldemort I would say his basic personality has gone through very little change over the years. In regard to his attitude of the years leading up to his build up of power and beyond: because he believes he is doing things for 'the greater good', Gellert does not think he is doing anything wrong or evil. His mindset during his rise to power is that if some people - the rebellious ones, as he would think of them - have to die, be hurt or imprisoned for the ultimate goal of harmony between wizards and Muggles then that's just something that has to be.
He does nothing to be intentionally mean or nasty, he only does what can be regarded as such with some purpose in mind. He will torture for information and has no qualms about this. He'll even do this (as with Aberforth) if he's provoked and wants things simply to go his way. He doesn't see such spells as 'Unforgivable' only as other tools at his disposal as a wizard. This is partly to do with his upbringing at home and at Durmstrang where Dark Magic was more acceptable and the Dark Arts actually taught. In canon a Dark Wizard is defined by the fact he uses Dark Magic. Dark does not equal evil. (And so Grindelwald is referred to as the most Dangerous Dark Wizard - not the most evil....) He doesn't torture or kill for fun. It may give him a sense of accomplishment if it produces the desired result but he won't enjoy it, as such. It’s a means to an end.
Re: Gellert Grindelwald || Harry Potter || Reserved || 4/??
(Another note: that while Gellert has been physically neglected he must know something of what’s been going on. In his final scene he is expecting Voldemort and even knows and says his name. Either he has some way of getting the news - like Sirius got a newspaper in the other wizarding prison of Azkaban - or he has been personally informed, perhaps by Dumbledore, of what may come.)
Later, when Harry mentions this scene between Voldemort and Grindelwald to Dumbledore, he claims that Grindelwald tried to stop Voldemort by a lie about never having the wand and Dumbledore adds that it was said Gellert showed remorse in later years and that this may have been an attempt to make amends.
Personality:
Earlier years: Grindelwald is an eternal optimist, even an idealist. When faced with his own death at the hands of a wizard alleged to be even more powerful than himself - and after over fifty years of his own imprisonment where by all physical appearances he was severely neglected and starved - he reacts by laughing mockingly and taunting Voldemort to kill him. He's not afraid of death. He's not really afraid of anything - except to face his old friend Dumbledore. But even for that it wasn't fear of the man himself, only of possibly the disappointment or accusations he thought may come his way.
He can rarely be brought down to any negatively emotional places (besides his temper, which may flare but disappear again with a laugh soon afterwards). He has an assured cockiness and a vibrant personality that is infectious, making him very adept at charming people with his manner, looks and words. In general, he will be polite, often in an old fashioned way, with much sweeping bows and kissing of ladies' hands. He does have good manners though sometimes he will forget to use them.
He's not inclined to murder or torture unless he's provoked - but he can be provoked easily if certain things are said (condemning his actions or ideas without logical reasons given) and if he doesn't get his own way - example: if his natural charms are doing little to get him the desired results. He will be volatile in those cases and sometimes even a little childishly vindictive. When roused his temper is terrible. Most of the time, however, he is seemingly light and easygoing, often laughing and having a mischievous streak.
Latter years: Considering how he acts when faced with his death by Voldemort I would say his basic personality has gone through very little change over the years. In regard to his attitude of the years leading up to his build up of power and beyond: because he believes he is doing things for 'the greater good', Gellert does not think he is doing anything wrong or evil. His mindset during his rise to power is that if some people - the rebellious ones, as he would think of them - have to die, be hurt or imprisoned for the ultimate goal of harmony between wizards and Muggles then that's just something that has to be.
He does nothing to be intentionally mean or nasty, he only does what can be regarded as such with some purpose in mind. He will torture for information and has no qualms about this. He'll even do this (as with Aberforth) if he's provoked and wants things simply to go his way. He doesn't see such spells as 'Unforgivable' only as other tools at his disposal as a wizard. This is partly to do with his upbringing at home and at Durmstrang where Dark Magic was more acceptable and the Dark Arts actually taught. In canon a Dark Wizard is defined by the fact he uses Dark Magic. Dark does not equal evil. (And so Grindelwald is referred to as the most Dangerous Dark Wizard - not the most evil....) He doesn't torture or kill for fun. It may give him a sense of accomplishment if it produces the desired result but he won't enjoy it, as such. It’s a means to an end.