But it is accurate, to an extent. Shakespearean tragedies have this tendency of interspersing comical characters and moments of laughters in between the hefty goings-on and the dark destinies. It provides a contrast to, and heightens, the tragic events. Think of the graverobber scene just before Hamlet finds out Ophelia is dead, or The Porter just after Duncan's murder. Yes, I am overstating the point, and no I wouldn't compare Rowling's writing per se to Shakespeare's. But the mixing of genres is definitely there. The book has a very clear tragedy structure. It has all the components, from fatal flaws galore to peripeteic twists and anagnorisis. But it is littered with comedy.
Something else she has in common with Shakespeare is her understanding of human behaviour.
*MySmiley*
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
The Great Harry Potter Re-read: Book Five - The Order of the Phoenix
13/09/2010 09:14:51 PM
- 4116 Views
Monday 13 September: chapters 1-3 - Dementors, owls and a daring rescue. *NM*
13/09/2010 09:18:29 PM
- 1221 Views
New characters and characters old.
13/09/2010 09:20:39 PM
- 2087 Views
Re: New characters and characters old.
13/09/2010 11:55:04 PM
- 2050 Views
Going to try to be succinct here and not get into endless back-and-forths... we'll see.
14/09/2010 12:15:58 AM
- 1969 Views

Re: Going to try to be succinct here and not get into endless back-and-forths... we'll see.
14/09/2010 09:00:37 AM
- 2032 Views

News / Petunia / Snape / Tonks
14/09/2010 04:40:01 PM
- 2160 Views
Having trouble with quotes?
14/09/2010 04:57:22 PM
- 1931 Views
If you are having trouble with quotes, you can set it up so it always does the paragraphs thing.
14/09/2010 05:17:28 PM
- 2117 Views
I know
*NM*
14/09/2010 05:19:49 PM
- 1134 Views

It wasn't you I was talking to.
*NM*
14/09/2010 05:22:52 PM
- 1156 Views

Then why did you reply to me?
14/09/2010 05:30:14 PM
- 1972 Views

To subtly point out that if you were going to make that remark, you could also have given the tip.
14/09/2010 06:15:55 PM
- 2066 Views
Thanks, that was driving me nuts and I had to actually get back to work...
14/09/2010 06:40:19 PM
- 1991 Views
Re: Thanks, that was driving me nuts and I had to actually get back to work...
14/09/2010 07:25:07 PM
- 2140 Views
You were just showing off with your reply weren't you? Segmenting the quotes like that.
14/09/2010 06:53:03 PM
- 2124 Views

Re: You were just showing off with your reply weren't you? Segmenting the quotes like that.
14/09/2010 07:24:28 PM
- 2199 Views

A question around that.
16/09/2010 07:02:11 PM
- 2140 Views
Re: A question around that.
16/09/2010 07:04:37 PM
- 2062 Views
Yeah, maybe my timing is off there. No biggie, in the grand scheme of things.
16/09/2010 07:07:33 PM
- 1996 Views
After the end of OotP, it's widely known he's back.
16/09/2010 07:12:19 PM
- 2221 Views
I think I remember now
16/09/2010 07:43:42 PM
- 1975 Views
I was thinking there were some smaller attacks / break ins that got similar treatment here.
16/09/2010 08:30:57 PM
- 1995 Views
Re: New characters and characters old.
14/09/2010 08:08:34 AM
- 2076 Views
The Dursleys.
15/09/2010 01:23:18 AM
- 2049 Views
Plotplotplot (plot makes a funny noise when you say it like that).
13/09/2010 09:22:27 PM
- 2134 Views
Other stuff.
13/09/2010 09:22:53 PM
- 2086 Views
two questions.
13/09/2010 11:49:28 PM
- 1968 Views
Answers
14/09/2010 03:01:58 AM
- 2046 Views
Surprisingly many hilarious little things for a book that's gonna be as dark as this one.
14/09/2010 10:11:54 AM
- 1924 Views
That is why I love it so much.
14/09/2010 10:14:01 AM
- 2673 Views
Re: That is why I love it so much.
14/09/2010 10:19:50 AM
- 2087 Views
Re: That is why I love it so much.
14/09/2010 10:27:09 AM
- 1893 Views
Re: That is why I love it so much.
19/09/2010 06:40:12 PM
- 1945 Views
He's incredibly blind, our Harry.
19/09/2010 06:38:29 PM
- 1980 Views
I don't find it annoying, really.
19/09/2010 07:27:11 PM
- 1837 Views
Wednesday 15 September: chapters 4-6 *NM*
13/09/2010 09:25:46 PM
- 1085 Views
Characters: still interesting? *NM*
15/09/2010 08:13:26 AM
- 1095 Views
Yes
15/09/2010 11:12:36 AM
- 2086 Views
You write your posts out in Word and then copypaste them? Why?
15/09/2010 11:43:29 AM
- 1969 Views

No. I don't even have Word.
15/09/2010 11:52:02 AM
- 1917 Views
Sirius and Sirius' mother.
16/09/2010 04:25:36 AM
- 2054 Views
Plot: how's that coming along? *NM*
15/09/2010 08:13:45 AM
- 1075 Views
tragically?
15/09/2010 11:12:10 AM
- 2033 Views
Re: tragically?
15/09/2010 03:42:29 PM
- 2108 Views
Re: tragically?
15/09/2010 03:47:06 PM
- 2150 Views
Yes. And the one who will get the fantastic line at the end of the book. *NM*
15/09/2010 04:08:47 PM
- 1066 Views
I have forgotten that
15/09/2010 04:10:57 PM
- 2016 Views
Well, it may not be that fantastic, but it's pretty amusing.
15/09/2010 04:12:55 PM
- 1970 Views
Oh I thought you were talking about the one where he tells the Minister
15/09/2010 10:03:57 PM
- 2045 Views
Re: tragically?
16/09/2010 04:08:03 AM
- 2105 Views
Other things: ? *NM*
15/09/2010 08:14:56 AM
- 1075 Views
Percy and Rowling's handling of profanity.
16/09/2010 03:35:05 AM
- 2146 Views
Re: Percy and Rowling's handling of profanity.
16/09/2010 03:48:50 AM
- 2036 Views
Re: Percy and Rowling's handling of profanity.
16/09/2010 04:02:04 AM
- 2028 Views
Friday 17 September: The Ministry of Magic, Harry's Hearing, and that thing with Mrs Weasley
13/09/2010 09:26:16 PM
- 2071 Views
The plot thickens.
17/09/2010 12:05:57 PM
- 1933 Views
A few thoughts
17/09/2010 04:21:25 PM
- 2074 Views
Re: A few thoughts
17/09/2010 06:36:37 PM
- 2092 Views
Re: A few thoughts
19/09/2010 05:51:24 AM
- 2042 Views
Lots of things happening in here that come back up in future books
17/09/2010 04:41:02 PM
- 1956 Views
Re: Lots of things happening in here that comes back up in future books
17/09/2010 06:31:44 PM
- 1952 Views
Timing messed up again.
17/09/2010 07:10:31 PM
- 2084 Views
Re: Timing messed up again.
17/09/2010 07:13:41 PM
- 2089 Views
Well...
17/09/2010 08:18:07 PM
- 1954 Views
Re: Well...
19/09/2010 02:14:01 AM
- 2028 Views
It's like those old chip commercials. It's hard to just read one.
20/09/2010 01:13:20 AM
- 2036 Views

Character development.
17/09/2010 12:06:52 PM
- 1957 Views
Mrs. Weasley
17/09/2010 04:23:20 PM
- 2017 Views
Agree here, but I can understand why she's cracking up a bit.
17/09/2010 04:46:30 PM
- 2098 Views
Don't know if you noticed it, but the death of her brothers is actually mentioned here.
17/09/2010 04:56:01 PM
- 1894 Views
That's a good catch. I remember reading it, but don't think I connected it back to the Weasleys.
17/09/2010 07:14:12 PM
- 2003 Views
I don't know how I missed it.
19/09/2010 02:16:11 AM
- 2019 Views
I believe we never get her maiden name in the series itself - it's from some family tree or the like
19/09/2010 04:25:13 PM
- 2013 Views
Are you sure?
19/09/2010 05:14:14 PM
- 2009 Views
No. I could be wrong. But I wouldn't know where to look for it, if so.
19/09/2010 07:29:18 PM
- 2030 Views
According to the HP Wiki at Wikia, there should be a more explicit mention of it in book seven. *NM*
19/09/2010 07:34:10 PM
- 1055 Views
Mr. Weasley
17/09/2010 04:54:49 PM
- 2077 Views
He is lovely.
17/09/2010 06:22:27 PM
- 1909 Views
His shifts between the two are handled nicely.
17/09/2010 07:19:38 PM
- 2076 Views
Re: His shifts between the two are handled nicely.
17/09/2010 07:21:38 PM
- 2233 Views
Re: His shifts between the two are handled nicely.
17/09/2010 08:29:06 PM
- 2204 Views
It's cheesy. *NM*
17/09/2010 08:41:32 PM
- 1064 Views
Yeah, kind of cheesy, but I still enjoyed it. Should we table this for the DH reread? *NM*
20/09/2010 01:21:33 AM
- 1012 Views
Other things of note.
17/09/2010 12:07:33 PM
- 2026 Views
Monday 20 September: chapters 10-12 ~ Back to school *NM*
13/09/2010 09:26:44 PM
- 1005 Views
Characters: Luna, Umbridge and the Sorting Hat *NM*
20/09/2010 08:03:30 AM
- 1098 Views
Draco, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Harry, Umbridge and McGonnagall
20/09/2010 03:44:01 PM
- 1911 Views
I think McGonagall kind of fails there.
20/09/2010 04:58:01 PM
- 1939 Views
Re: I think McGonagall kind of fails there.
20/09/2010 05:05:27 PM
- 2030 Views
Maybe she doesn't realize all that, but really, how much effort does it take to be clear?
20/09/2010 05:43:57 PM
- 2051 Views
Re: Maybe she doesn't realize all that, but really, how much effort does it take to be clear?
20/09/2010 06:18:35 PM
- 2120 Views
Oh, I think it is.
20/09/2010 06:30:33 PM
- 1954 Views
Weasley goodness.
22/09/2010 03:16:41 AM
- 1995 Views
Plot: things you've noticed. *NM*
20/09/2010 08:04:13 AM
- 1069 Views
Not much in these chapters
20/09/2010 03:45:55 PM
- 2053 Views
Oh, there's more than that.
20/09/2010 04:43:28 PM
- 2005 Views
I remembered now: Barty Crouch Junior.
20/09/2010 05:08:16 PM
- 1987 Views
I did not get that from the passage
20/09/2010 05:19:45 PM
- 1979 Views
Hmm.
20/09/2010 05:38:28 PM
- 2026 Views
Re: Hmm.
20/09/2010 06:10:03 PM
- 2051 Views
Oh yes: Assyria is a wizarding country.
22/09/2010 09:42:27 AM
- 2043 Views
Yes
22/09/2010 09:50:47 AM
- 1987 Views
Because that's the only modern meaning of "Assyrian".
22/09/2010 09:58:03 AM
- 2145 Views
Re: Because that's the only modern meaning of "Assyrian".
22/09/2010 09:59:39 AM
- 2120 Views
Who knows?
Don't think we've seen much discussion of religion in the wizarding world. *NM*
22/09/2010 10:02:30 AM
- 1078 Views

On their broomsticks, obviously
*NM*
23/09/2010 02:27:06 PM
- 1110 Views

In that part of the world I understand they use flying carpets, actually.
*NM*
23/09/2010 03:16:18 PM
- 1017 Views

Wasn't there a mention of someone trying to smuggle flying carpets into England?
23/09/2010 06:17:58 PM
- 1894 Views
Anything else? *NM*
20/09/2010 08:05:33 AM
- 1086 Views
Thestrals & Hufflepuff
20/09/2010 03:50:34 PM
- 1927 Views
Wednesday 22 September: chapters 13-15 ~ School gets interesting.
13/09/2010 09:27:09 PM
- 2110 Views
Character development: how are our three main characters getting along?
22/09/2010 12:43:53 PM
- 1894 Views
Dumbledore, Umbridge, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Harry, Percy ad McGonnagall.
22/09/2010 12:49:12 PM
- 2025 Views
Some interesting developments, I thought.
22/09/2010 01:57:42 PM
- 2066 Views
Re: Some interesting developments, I thought. Edited
22/09/2010 02:35:20 PM
- 1975 Views
Dumbledore, this really bugs me
23/09/2010 03:39:28 AM
- 1913 Views
Plot progression, and continuing themes.
22/09/2010 12:44:34 PM
- 2126 Views
Action and reaction
22/09/2010 12:50:35 PM
- 2099 Views
Re: Action and reaction
22/09/2010 02:15:16 PM
- 1933 Views
Any other comments?
22/09/2010 12:44:54 PM
- 1943 Views
Friday 24 September: chapters 16-18 ~ Dumbledore's Army
13/09/2010 09:27:50 PM
- 2069 Views
Le plot.
24/09/2010 05:06:34 PM
- 1964 Views
Reaction -- the forming of the DA
24/09/2010 07:08:45 PM
- 2186 Views
Re: Reaction -- the forming of the DA
27/09/2010 03:55:50 PM
- 1987 Views
Re: Reaction -- the forming of the DA
27/09/2010 03:59:33 PM
- 1926 Views
Anything else?
24/09/2010 05:07:10 PM
- 1796 Views
Monday 27 September: chapters 19-21 ~ Quidditch, Hagrid and thestrals.
13/09/2010 09:28:27 PM
- 1948 Views
Les Characters
27/09/2010 07:57:17 AM
- 1963 Views
Ron, Umbridge, McGonagall, Hagrid, Cho, Hermione, Harry
27/09/2010 03:26:13 PM
- 2049 Views
Re: Ron, Umbridge, McGonagall, Hagrid, Cho, Hermione, Harry
27/09/2010 04:57:55 PM
- 2033 Views
Re: Ron, Umbridge, McGonagall, Hagrid, Cho, Hermione, Harry
27/09/2010 05:08:10 PM
- 1910 Views
Plot - are we happy with what's happening?
27/09/2010 07:58:33 AM
- 1999 Views
Definitely some things of note!
27/09/2010 02:43:41 PM
- 1971 Views
Re: Definitely some things of note!
27/09/2010 03:36:39 PM
- 2048 Views
Any other thoughts?
27/09/2010 07:59:14 AM
- 1880 Views
Bigotry, the Sorting Hat and Giants
27/09/2010 03:28:10 PM
- 1868 Views
Re: Bigotry, the Sorting Hat and Giants
27/09/2010 05:08:42 PM
- 1862 Views
Re: Bigotry, the Sorting Hat and Giants
27/09/2010 05:21:20 PM
- 1944 Views
Wednesday 29 September: chapters 22-24
13/09/2010 09:29:12 PM
- 2075 Views
Characters and characterisation *NM*
29/09/2010 04:43:38 PM
- 1055 Views
High emotions.
29/09/2010 05:11:07 PM
- 2025 Views
Re: High emotions.
29/09/2010 08:21:46 PM
- 1970 Views
Re: High emotions.
29/09/2010 09:51:14 PM
- 2034 Views
Re: High emotions.
29/09/2010 10:06:43 PM
- 1949 Views
Re: High emotions.
29/09/2010 10:28:58 PM
- 1937 Views
Re: High emotions.
29/09/2010 09:18:42 PM
- 1781 Views
Plotting and plot continuity *NM*
29/09/2010 04:44:32 PM
- 1050 Views
Re: Plotting and plot continuity
29/09/2010 05:11:43 PM
- 2208 Views
Re: Plotting and plot continuity
29/09/2010 09:17:02 PM
- 2056 Views
Other things of note. *NM*
29/09/2010 04:44:51 PM
- 1074 Views
Rowling is having fun once more, this time with St. Mungo's.
29/09/2010 09:19:53 PM
- 2010 Views
Re: Rowling is having fun once more, this time with St. Mungo's.
29/09/2010 10:35:51 PM
- 1834 Views
Re: Rowling is having fun once more, this time with St. Mungo's.
30/09/2010 03:42:21 AM
- 2016 Views
Hermione is apparently smarter than J.K. Rowling. Or maybe just Harry. Hard to tell.
30/09/2010 03:47:22 AM
- 2000 Views
The fact that she has Hermione use the right term points to a subtle distinction.
30/09/2010 03:06:07 PM
- 2055 Views
Friday 1 October: chapters 25-27 - Sorry I'm late.
13/09/2010 09:29:58 PM
- 1936 Views

The characters: development, actions, etc. *NM*
02/10/2010 11:25:09 AM
- 1121 Views
Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
02/10/2010 07:54:05 PM
- 2112 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
03/10/2010 02:19:37 AM
- 2078 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
03/10/2010 10:05:48 AM
- 2303 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
04/10/2010 09:10:47 PM
- 2043 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
04/10/2010 09:18:42 PM
- 1970 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
05/10/2010 01:06:54 AM
- 2030 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
05/10/2010 09:02:36 AM
- 2165 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
05/10/2010 10:39:30 PM
- 2080 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
05/10/2010 10:50:27 PM
- 1895 Views
Re: Fudge, Hermione, Neville, Cho, Harry, Umbridge, the teachers, Snape, Dumbledore
05/10/2010 11:13:36 PM
- 2001 Views
Plot/action: getting exciting? *NM*
02/10/2010 11:25:48 AM
- 1082 Views
Beginning of the end
02/10/2010 07:55:36 PM
- 2113 Views
Re: Beginning of the end
05/10/2010 10:45:32 PM
- 1996 Views
Other things. *NM*
02/10/2010 11:26:06 AM
- 994 Views
The way reactions are given, and an observation about occlumency.
02/10/2010 07:55:48 PM
- 2087 Views
The least important of your points...
04/10/2010 08:18:04 PM
- 2190 Views
Monday 4 October: chapters 28-30 - bad memories, dramatic exits, and large brothers.
13/09/2010 09:32:03 PM
- 2010 Views
Characters: James, Sirius, Lily, Snape, Umbridge, Fred, George, Hagrid, Grawp
04/10/2010 06:31:44 PM
- 2084 Views
The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
04/10/2010 07:40:26 PM
- 1994 Views
Re: The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
05/10/2010 05:16:45 AM
- 2156 Views
Re: The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
05/10/2010 09:19:28 AM
- 2186 Views
Re: The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
05/10/2010 03:56:50 PM
- 2279 Views
Re: The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
05/10/2010 11:09:16 PM
- 2016 Views
Re: The twins, the teachers, Cho, Snape, James Sirius, Wormtail, Lupin, Lily, Harry and McGonagall.
05/10/2010 11:27:30 PM
- 1921 Views
Plotting and themes.
04/10/2010 06:32:16 PM
- 2011 Views
family and bigotry
04/10/2010 07:41:22 PM
- 2042 Views
Anything else?
04/10/2010 06:32:43 PM
- 2037 Views
portaits
04/10/2010 07:41:49 PM
- 1829 Views
Wednesday 6 October: chapters 31-33 - OWLs, fights and other such hijinks.
13/09/2010 09:32:40 PM
- 2033 Views
Characters - so many to deal with.
06/10/2010 08:13:36 PM
- 1960 Views
Ron, Neville, Harry, Hermione, McGonagall, Professor Tofty, Snape, Umbridge and the second trio.
06/10/2010 08:34:55 PM
- 2091 Views
Re: Ron, Neville, Harry, Hermione, McGonagall, Professor Tofty, Snape, Umbridge and the second trio.
06/10/2010 09:30:18 PM
- 2051 Views
Re: Ron, Neville, Harry, Hermione, McGonagall, Professor Tofty, Snape, Umbridge and the second trio.
06/10/2010 09:46:38 PM
- 2056 Views
Plot! Theme and Action!
06/10/2010 08:14:21 PM
- 1964 Views
The trap is set
06/10/2010 08:36:03 PM
- 1979 Views
Friday 8 October: chapters 34-36 - The big fight and the big farewell.
13/09/2010 09:33:45 PM
- 2140 Views
Characters: Death Eaters, Order of the Phoenix, and the children.
08/10/2010 11:19:58 AM
- 2086 Views
Hermione, Harry, Neville, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin
08/10/2010 07:52:01 PM
- 1994 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Neville, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin
09/10/2010 01:00:00 AM
- 2201 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Neville, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin
09/10/2010 10:23:24 AM
- 1889 Views
Re: Hermione, Harry, Neville, Sirius, Dumbledore, Lupin
10/10/2010 03:40:46 AM
- 1863 Views
Action. And more action.
08/10/2010 11:20:49 AM
- 2009 Views
I'm wondering what would have happened...
09/10/2010 01:14:58 AM
- 1802 Views
Re: I'm wondering what would have happened...
09/10/2010 10:16:25 AM
- 1940 Views
Re: I'm wondering what would have happened...
10/10/2010 03:22:18 AM
- 2173 Views
Book 7 spoilers ( I know they are implied, but I'd feel bad if I didn't warn)
11/10/2010 12:51:06 AM
- 2018 Views
Re: Book 7 spoilers ( I know they are implied, but I'd feel bad if I didn't warn)
12/10/2010 02:48:53 AM
- 1961 Views
Monday 11 October: chapters 37-38 ~ The end of innocence?
13/09/2010 09:35:14 PM
- 2101 Views
How are our characters left?
11/10/2010 05:25:39 PM
- 2037 Views
Phineas, Dumbledore, Voldemort, Fudge, McGonagall, Harry, Ron and Moody
11/10/2010 11:50:16 PM
- 2042 Views
Any other thoughts?
11/10/2010 05:27:17 PM
- 1858 Views
General comments.
13/09/2010 09:36:13 PM
- 2053 Views
Suggestions for the re-read.
13/09/2010 09:36:56 PM
- 1985 Views
Your links don't work
14/09/2010 10:37:32 AM
- 1930 Views
Fixed. *NM*
14/09/2010 10:46:08 AM
- 1155 Views
And fixed the links in the other ones, too - don't bother searching for new posts, there aren't any. *NM*
14/09/2010 06:35:37 PM
- 1024 Views
Do we need to have another break?
27/09/2010 08:00:04 AM
- 2042 Views
But now I want to keep reading them. </whine>
29/09/2010 04:02:57 AM
- 1908 Views
Will probably just have a little break - i.e. wait till the following Monday to start.
03/10/2010 09:48:52 AM
- 2030 Views
Re: Will probably just have a little break - i.e. wait till the following Monday to start.
06/10/2010 12:01:09 AM
- 2185 Views