Trevor -- not the ideal pet

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 113732

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "potioncat" <willsonkmom at m...> 
wrote:
> 
> > Phil Responds:
> > Paddock was the toad in Macbeth.
> > the Second Witche's own familiar is a large, ugly toad.
> > The toad is a creature of transformation (tadpole to frog).
> > So maybe Trevor  will finally show some magic abilities in the 
> next book.
> > Phil
> 
> 
> Potioncat:
> Were there 3 witches?  What was the third familiar?  Does anyone 
> else think it's interesting that there is a toad, and a cat in this 
> story too?

Geoff:
Indeed there were three witches. I've just hauled out a very old copy 
of "Macbeth" from the bookshelf which is full of scribbled marginal 
notes from when my school did a version when I was in the Sixth Form. 
Being an all-boy's school, we did it Shakespearian style with all 
parts being cast for us lads and I cleverly collected First Witch (no 
laughing in the wings there!). So I have taken a "professional" 
interest in these observations and in the use of Shakespeare's lines 
in "the medium that dares not speak its name".

My point was that, in the notes to my edition of the play, it 
suggests that Graymalkin was a common cat's name and implied that 
paddock was use another name for a toad.

Geoff
Enjoy Exmoor and the 
heritage West Somerset Railway at:
http://www.aspectsofexmoor.com