That’s more or less it. He didn’t know what the prophecy said, nor did he know whether it was safe to retrieve it.
DMM wrote: But what I don't understand (one of, anyway) is why Voldemort so desperately needed to hear that prophecy. It doesn't exactly say anything profound on how to destroy Harry, does it? But of course, he doesn't knwo that... anyone have any thoughts?
For me, the real problem with OotP is that people can apparate and dissaparate within the ministry. Doesn’t that render all security pointless?
If there is a book where Lord V hatches a contrived scheme, its GoF. I hate to say it, because I love the mystery plotline in GoF, but going to all the trouble to get Harry to grab the cup when fake Moody could hand him a textbook or something in his office is absurd.