Voldy, Macbeth and the ambiguity of prophecy (spoilers)

[inkling108]

No: HPFGUIDX 129114

 
> Geoff:
> I don't know whether our thoughts touch base or not but I posted 
some 
> ramblings involving Macbeth quite recently (but before JKR's 
> references). The thread was "The prophecy - a maverick view" and 
> started at post 128332; it might add an item or so to the mix of 
> ingredients.

Inkling:

Thanks -- I checked out the thread.  Impressive prescience on 
Macbeth :-)  And in general.

As I said earlier, in light of JKR's FAQ response I've thrown out 
what little certainty I had about what the prophecy means.  I give 
up, at least for now, on that one (well, at least we now know for 
sure it's not about Neville).

What struck me about JKR's comments was her emphasis on how the 
prophecy itself becomes an actor in the drama, through the way the 
characters respond to it.  And how the characters, by responding to 
what they *think* it says, create the very thing they are trying to 
prevent.  I think this may be the reason she is using the device of 
a prophecy -- not so much to reveal mystic meaning as to reveal the 
hearts and minds of her characters.

One more thought concerning Macbeth.  The witches, at the urging of 
Hecate, "close contriver of all harms," deliberately use their 
prophecies to set up Macbeth for a fall.  In the case of Sybill 
Trelawny there doesn't seem to be any bad intent behind the 
prophecy.   However, in both of her authentic prophecies, Sybill 
refers to Voldy as the Dark Lord.  As Harry observed to Snape, "I've 
only ever heard Death Eaters call him that."  I wonder if there is a 
clue in that choice of words as to the source of the prophecy?  Just 
speculating.

Inkling