Similarities Between Macbeth And Robespierre

Act 2 Scene 2: Robespierre and the French Revolution

Jessi, Ryan, Tim, Courtney, Kelsey

In The Tragedy of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, we see Macbeth, a loyal soldier, turn into a complete monster by killing innocent people for the sake of power. This eventually leads to Macbeth’s mental breakdown, descending into madness as a cold blooded murderer, until his fateful death. There have been many Macbeth-like figures who have followed in his footsteps throughout our history, such as Julius Caesar, Joseph Stalin and especially Maximilien Robespierre, in the French Revolution. Robespierre killed many people, including one of his colleagues, to gain political power. The selfishness and greed that is shown in Macbeth Robespierre, and other historic

In the beginning of the Tragedy of Macbeth, Macbeth was a loyal soldier who was dedicated to protecting the king. He risked his life fighting the Swedish and Irish forces, “Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought ‘gainst my captivity- Hail, brave friend!” (Act 1 Scene 2, 9). Similar to Macbeth, Robespierre protected citizens from the unfair French court systems and was dedicated to the revolution that stood for equality and civil liberties. His loyalty to the French revolution gave him the nickname the “Incorruptible”. Both Macbeth and Robespierre changed into their polar opposites and resorted to killing many people for the purpose of gaining and maintaining power. In Act 2, Scene 2, Macbeth killed the king to take his power and seized his crown, “Here lay Duncan, his silver skin laced with his golden blood, and his gash 'd stabs look 'd like a breach in nature, for ruin 's wasteful entrance: there, the murderers, steep 'd in the colours of their trade, their daggers, unmannerly breached with gor.”(Act 2, scene 3, 112-116). After killing Duncan, Macbeth killed more people, including Banquo, to secure the throne. In the French Revolution, Robespierre killed Danton to gain his power by accusing him of unfair charges that were impossible to defend in court. After Danton’s execution, Robespierre also killed more of his opponents that were threats to his absolute