The play Macbeth by
William Shakespeare inspired the Lost Prophecy in the Harry Potter books, as an interview
with JKR recently revealed. In the play, the general Macbeth is
accosted by three diviners while returning from war. One addresses
him as Thain of Glamis, another calls him the Thain of Cawdor (a
post he assumes when his predecessor is relieved of his duty) and
the third says he will be King of the Scots. The final prophecy is
fulfilled with Duncan's homicide (abetted by Lady Macbeth). Being
Duncan's closest blood relation, Macbeth succeeds him as
king.
In Harry Potter and the Order of
the Phoenix, Sybill Trelawney is revealed as the seer who
predicted Voldypoo's downfall in the hands of one lad born at the
end of July. Although there is more than one person born at the
same time, Voldypoo chooses to go after the one who has a similar
heritage as himself. His attempts to kill Harry after mowing down
James and Lily fails, and he is forced underground. Albus
Dumbledore later tells Harry that he is the Chosen One who will
defeat the Dark Lord and restore order to the world. Could it be
the reason why Harry survived the Killing Curse?
Perhaps the legend of Oedipus inspired both plot lines. Oedipus was
sent away at a young age because some soothsayer predicted he would
kill his father and seize the throne. Sure enough, Oedipus returned
to his hometown, usurped his father's throne, killed the old man
and married his (Oedipus') own mother without knowing who she
was.
It has got me thinking if Divination is to be trusted or whether
prophecies are self-fulfilling. What if someone predicts CSJ will
seize power in a coup? Will the SDP chief dare to attempt that
operation? If he does, what reason will he give? Surely not that
"someone predicted I'd stage a revolution" crap. Also, will the
MIW's attempts to prevent this day from coming only hasten its
arrival?
