Prophecy and Ambiguity: The Oracular Art of Sybill Trelawney in Harry Potter in Light of Ancient Greek Oracle Traditions

Patrícia Andréa Borges

doi:10.15628/holos.2024.16287

Authors

Patrícia Andréa Borges University of Campinas (IEL/Unicamp) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3803-4567

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15628/holos.2024.16287

Keywords:

Oracles, Greek Mythology, Harry Potter, Prophecies

Abstract

This article examines the role of oracles in Greek mythology, the way the concept is explored in the "Harry Potter" series, and the influence of Greek mythology on the portrayal of the oracle in the series, emphasizing the importance of free will and characters' choices in the face of destiny. Greek oracles, such as the famous Oracle of Delphi, served as intermediaries between gods and mortals, offering divine predictions and guidance. The character of Sybill Trelawney in "Harry Potter" reflects such an oracular tradition. Initially discredited due to her eccentric nature, her prophecies (especially the one on Harry Potter's birth and his confrontation with Voldemort) proved essential to the plot. Her narrative highlights the ambiguity of prophecies, a trait shared with Greek oracles, which often delivered enigmatic responses.

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Author Biography

Patrícia Andréa Borges, University of Campinas (IEL/Unicamp)

University of Campinas (IEL/Unicamp) and a Ph.D. candidate in Linguistics at the same university. Bachelor's degree in Portuguese and Ancient Greek from the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Human Sciences, University of São Paulo (FFLCH/USP).

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