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

[cathmorgan100]

No: HPFGUIDX 134618

"Milz" <absinthe at m...> wrote:
> The question about the Witches is how much culpability they had in
> the events that followed their prophecy. Two arguments can be made 
> (both have their points, btw) 1. The witches were merely passing on
> information. What MacBeth did with that info was out of their 
> hands.  Therefore, they cannot not be culpable. 2. The witches 
> could foretell the future so in giving MacB that info, they knew 
> he would murder---which makes them culpable because they gave him 
> the "tools" so to speak. 


Cathcart:

But isn't the question how culpable was _Snape_, not Trawlany.  
Trawlany is clearly a messanger, explicitly made innocent of any 
knowledge, a bit of a fool for comic relief, and as you say a plot 
device.  The point is what Snape did with the information.  A lot of 
what Harry does with his information is also relevant to the plot
line: he creates as many problems as he solves.  Fortunately for the 
story, most of the problems he solves are valid (not generated by his and others mistakes).  But culpablity for Sirius's death he certainly 
earned. The theme is what you do with the knowledge... I think.