Is the knowledge of the future beneficial? In both Macbeth and Harry Potter, Macbeth and Voldemort, the antagonists, become aware of their own futures through prophecies. Macbeth’s prophecy tells him that he will be “king hereafter” (act 1 scene 3 line 52). Voldemort’s prophecy tells him of the one who has “the power to vanquish” him (841). Initially, both men see their prophecies as positive because they see their additional knowledge as an advantage, and are willing to do anything to gain or maintain their power as foretold by the prophecies. After taking these actions, however, it becomes obvious that the actions that they have taken will bring about their own demise. Both Macbeth and Voldemort believe that they are taking actions to ensure
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After deciding to kill Macduff, Macbeth hears that Macduff has fled to England, and orders the death of Macduff’s entire household. When Macduff finds out, he is distraught and to channel his sadness into revenge. At the battle of Dunsinane, Macduff says, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.” Macduff is saying that if “thou beest,” or Macbeth, is killed “with no stroke” of his, then he will continue to be haunted by his “wife and children 's ghosts.” Macduff feels that he needs to avenge his household so that he feels less guilty about and responsible for their deaths. Macduff believes that the only person worthy of his sword is Macbeth, saying: “Either thou, Macbeth,/Or else my sword with an unbattered edge/I sheathe again undeeded.” Macduff’s placement of “either thou, Macbeth” as the first clause makes it obvious that Macbeth is Macduff’s main focus. Macduff uses “unbattered” and “undeeded,” two words with the same prefix and similar meanings, to emphasize that if he does not kill Macbeth, the sword will not have fulfilled its purpose. Macduff’s main reason for being at the battle of Dunsinane is to avenge his dead household. If Macbeth had not ordered the slaughter of Macduff’s household, then Macduff may not have had the motivation to seek out Macbeth and challenge him to the …show more content…
Snape overhears and tells Voldemort a small portion of the prophecy, so Voldemort only knows, “...the part foretelling the birth of a boy in July to parents who had thrice defeated Voldemort.” (843) This part of the prophecy does not contain anything about the scar, or the fact that one of them will kill the other. Following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Dumbledore tells Harry, “...in marking you with that scar, he did not kill you, as intended, but gave you powers” (842) With this limited knowledge, it makes sense that Voldemort wants to kill Harry. Voldemort does not know that by trying to kill Harry, he would “mark him as his equal” and give him the “power the Dark Lord knows not.” (843) In trying to kill Harry, Voldemort wants to destroy the one who has the power to destroy him. His lack of knowledge of the second part of the prophecy means that Voldemort does not know that he has created a situation where he may die at the hands of Harry, who he
After deciding to kill Macduff, Macbeth hears that Macduff has fled to England, and orders the death of Macduff’s entire household. When Macduff finds out, he is distraught and to channel his sadness into revenge. At the battle of Dunsinane, Macduff says, “If thou beest slain, and with no stroke of mine,/My wife and children’s ghosts will haunt me still.” Macduff is saying that if “thou beest,” or Macbeth, is killed “with no stroke” of his, then he will continue to be haunted by his “wife and children 's ghosts.” Macduff feels that he needs to avenge his household so that he feels less guilty about and responsible for their deaths. Macduff believes that the only person worthy of his sword is Macbeth, saying: “Either thou, Macbeth,/Or else my sword with an unbattered edge/I sheathe again undeeded.” Macduff’s placement of “either thou, Macbeth” as the first clause makes it obvious that Macbeth is Macduff’s main focus. Macduff uses “unbattered” and “undeeded,” two words with the same prefix and similar meanings, to emphasize that if he does not kill Macbeth, the sword will not have fulfilled its purpose. Macduff’s main reason for being at the battle of Dunsinane is to avenge his dead household. If Macbeth had not ordered the slaughter of Macduff’s household, then Macduff may not have had the motivation to seek out Macbeth and challenge him to the …show more content…
Snape overhears and tells Voldemort a small portion of the prophecy, so Voldemort only knows, “...the part foretelling the birth of a boy in July to parents who had thrice defeated Voldemort.” (843) This part of the prophecy does not contain anything about the scar, or the fact that one of them will kill the other. Following the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, Dumbledore tells Harry, “...in marking you with that scar, he did not kill you, as intended, but gave you powers” (842) With this limited knowledge, it makes sense that Voldemort wants to kill Harry. Voldemort does not know that by trying to kill Harry, he would “mark him as his equal” and give him the “power the Dark Lord knows not.” (843) In trying to kill Harry, Voldemort wants to destroy the one who has the power to destroy him. His lack of knowledge of the second part of the prophecy means that Voldemort does not know that he has created a situation where he may die at the hands of Harry, who he