Comparing Violence In Shakespeare's Macbeth And The Gunpowder Treason

Macbeth the protagonist of the play is Scottish in the king's army who later becomes king. Shakespeare characterizes Macbeth at first as humble, brave and loyal soldier however, later on in the play Macbeth gets tempted by outside forces such as the scottish witches and his wife Lady Macbeth and get corrupted. In the play the third witches state “Thou shalt get kings,though thou be none:So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo”(I,iii,60). In other words the witches are telling Macbeth their prophecy that macbeth would be king to mess with Macbeth’s head. After the witches play with Macbeth’s head he starts falling apart. Many of the audience would agree that Macbeth is really malicious, envious and reckless and is not fit to be a good leader. Equally
important Macbeth’s Ambitious nature has continued to his doom which built the conflict of Macbeth wanting to be king. Striving to be king, Macbeth has developed some serious actions that led to killing the king Duncan. He states “If It were done, when tis' done, then twere well it were done quickly: if the assassination could trammel up the consequence, and catch, with his surcease, success…”(I,VII,L5).Evil has corrupted Macbeth’s life ever since he did the evil deed. Now Macbeth cannot be at peace because of all the guilt. Further the assassination of King Duncan is often compared to the Gunpowder treason in England 1605.
The source “ The Gunpowder Treason” states “But it cannot have been long after he heard the news of the plot that he found himself in London examining his Holinshed to learn more about the subject of his forthcoming royal play,and found the story of Macbeth especially suitable and timely because it could show the treacherous assassination…”(The Gunpowder Treason page 227). These two incidents both can relate because both incidents have had the theme of violence. Even more about the character Macbeth when he is in doubt about something or anyone Macbeth believes violence is the answer to everything he states “To be thus is nothing but to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared. Tis much he dares, and, to that dauntless temper of his mind, he hath a wisdom that doth guide his valour to act in safety. There is none but he whose being I do fear: and under him, my genius is rebuked, as it is said…”(III,i,L50). Based on this quotation because of Macbeth’s fear of Banquo’s son being king, he wants to kill Banquo and his son Fleance so they won’t get in the way of
Macbeth. He is not at peace until he kills Banquo. Macbeth does not necessarily change his personality over time, but his behavior has changed a lot over the time.Like Shakespeare said “The evil that men do lives after them” Macbeth is facing the consequences of killing the king and Banquo, he has to deal with the guilt of killing Banquo also which eventually destroy his conscience.” Thou canst not say I did it :never shake thy gory locks at me”(III,IV,L50). Based on this quotation from the play Macbeth is hallucinating and is making everyone believe he is crazy. Evil is affecting Macbeth in so many ways.