Abstract
This study analyzes the use of politeness strategies in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, focusing on dialogues between Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, and Hermione Granger. Using Brown and Levinson’s (1987) framework—bald on record, positive politeness, negative politeness, and off record—the research identifies 156 politeness strategies across two relational contexts: mentor–student (Harry and Dumbledore) and peer–peer (Harry and Hermione). In Harry and Dumbledore’s exchanges, positive politeness dominates (49.45%), reflecting respect and emotional restraint. In contrast, Harry and Hermione’s dialogue features more bald on record (32.31%) and off record (30.77%) strategies, indicating emotional openness and directness. Notably, Hermione frequently uses off record strategies (39.47%), such as rhetorical questions and indirect commentary, aligning with her pragmatic and intelligent persona. These findings demonstrate how power, intimacy, and emotional tone shape pragmatic choices in cinematic dialogue, affirming the relevance of politeness theory in media discourse analysis.