“I think a similar fate awaits Frank and his wife. The most poetic ending would have them turning on each other.”
Probably, but I think it is still different. We know Macbeth is doomed. He is not an anti-hero so much as a classically deluded weak man who destroys himself by doing something he knows is wrong. I think many modern works have us instead cheer for the anti-hero and get us to hope or almost hope they get away with it. That’s what I thought with the original. We wanted him to get away with it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Cards_(UK_TV_series)
Ian Richardson insisted his character had to be destroyed in the final series so that evil would not win. (But in a way it does because he is assassinated - as arranged by his wife - to protect his reputation and their retirement fund).
If you don’t watch the show - SPOILER ALERT - they do indeed turn on each other at the end of season 3. Season 4 will be all about the war between the Underwoods.
That's possible.
But I don't find myself rooting for him or his wife. I find myself looking for a ray of light somewhere --anywhere. So Frank and Claire could serve as anti-types, rather than anti-heroes.
Also, characters who compromise their consciences to scheme with Frank and Claire usually end up dead or destroyed. The few who don't compromise (like the woman who Claire bought the foundation from), survive.