Trelawney,Drink, MacBeth Witches (was Re: Part 3 of JKR's MN/TLC interview)

[templar1112002]

No: HPFGUIDX 134464

Milz wrote:
> Ooops, I never meant to imply that Rowling chalks off Trelawney's 
alcoholism to the prophecy, but rather it explains why she has taken
to the bottle. Trelawney stashing empty sherry bottles and stumbling
around Hogwarts drunk threw me for a loop when I read it.
 
<snip of Macbeth's prophecy made by three witches>

Rowling explains the MacB witch comparison breifly in the interview
and on her website: http://www.jkrowling.com/textonly/faq_view.cfm?
id=84 "If neither boy was 'pre-ordained' before Voldemort's attack 
to become his possible vanquisher, then the prophecy (like the one 
the witches make to Macbeth, if anyone has read the play of the same 
name) becomes the catalyst for a situation that would never have 
occurred if it had not been made. Harry is propelled into a 
terrifying position he might never have sought, while Neville 
remains the tantalising 'might-have-been'. Destiny is a name often 
given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences."
 
It's speculation on my part, but this prophecy-as-catalyst can be the
reason why Trelawney has developed a fondness for sherry (and I hope
she's drinking a nice fino or manzanilla sherry): she feels
responsible/guilty that her prophecy has caused and is causing 
misery.


**Marcela now: This would only apply if Trelawney knew that she'd 
made two real prophecies.  The fact of the matter is that she 
doesn't remember making any of them.
I don't think that we can excuse Trelawney's liking for the bottle 
to that.  Trelawney started smelling like sherry in OoTP, when she 
was under the pressure of Umbridge's probation time and then got 
chucked out -but saved by Dumbledore. Harry never smelled any sherry 
aroung her in PoA and GoF.
Then in HBP, we see her continuing with the sherry because she was 
discontent with Firenze and their sharing the students Divination 
classes.  And finally, perhaps because Dumbledore was not taking 
heed of her card reading and/or her complaints about Firenze's 
classes.  Ever since OoTP and Umbridge, Trelawney's little world 
started falling apart... If Hogwarts remains opened in HP7 wiht 
McGonagall in charge, I can only see McG sparing Trelawney because 
of Dumbledore's previous attachment to the Divination teacher, not 
because she'd think that Trelawney was a necessary teacher at 
Hogwarts.
And, to go even further with speculation -or clairvoyance <g>, I'd 
say that Trelawney's choice of sherry might get upgraded for 
something a bit heartier than that... Funnily enough, I wonder if Jo 
will keep her around, this character has surely done some very good 
predictions so far, :D

Marcela