Nicole+S.

Comparison between Banquo and Ferdinand

 [|Francis Ferdinand] is the historical figure that is most similar to [|Banquo]’s character. He was born in 1863, his father was [|Archduke Charles Louis] and his uncle is [|Emperor Francis Joseph]. Ferdinand gained the title Archduke of Austria. After the deaths of his father and cousin, Ferdinand became the heir **(to the)** Austro-Hungarian Throne. During a visit to [|Bosnia], a [|Serb] nationalist assassinated Ferdinand and his wife. This event is what fueled [|WWI]. Although Banquo and Ferdinand led different lives, there were still many similarities that linked them together. These similarities include their lives had a prophecy, their children were heirs to a throne, and their deaths ultimately led to war. Their major difference was **(differences were)** how they died, who murdered them, and why they were murdered. **(good intro.)**

A [|prophecy] was predicted about both Banquo and Ferdinand. The prophecies were different; however, they both played a significant role in their lives. “Some damn foolish thing in the [|Balkans].” The [|Bismark] of [|Germany] stated this. It was a prophecy about the future of Europe that came true when Ferdinand was murdered in the Balkans. This was very important to life in Europe because it was the spark of World War I. “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none,” (1.3.67). This was Banquo’s prophecy quoted by the third witch in //Macbeth//. This meant that Banquo himself would not be king but his sons would be. This was essential to the plot of the play because it foreshadowed the future of [|Scotland].

Banquo’s prophecy revealed that his sons would be the heirs to the throne of Scotland. Macbeth said **** “When first they put the name of king upon me/ and bade them speak to him; then prophetlike/ they hailed him father to a line of kings.” (3.1.58-60). This just emphasized the fact that his sons would be heirs. This was similar to the way Ferdinand**('s)** life unraveled. Even though Francis Ferdinand was the heir to the [|Austro-Hungarian throne], his sons were soon to become heirs to the throne as well. After his marriage to  [|Countess Sophie Chotek] **** he decided it was important to make his children the heirs to the throne. In the end, the heirs of both Banquo and Ferdinand were to take the throne.

Both prophecies predicted the future of both figures, but it was their deaths that led to the breakout of war. It was after Banquo’s death, **(delete this comma)** that everyone started plotting against each other. “I pray you, speak not; he grows worse and worse;/ question enrages him; at once, good night. **(delete this period)**” (3.4.118-119). When [|Lady Macbeth] said this**** it showed how [|Macbeth] went crazy after the murder of Banquo. It went from murder to more murder to conspiracy and then ultimately led to war **(This sentence needs better phrasing.)**. In Ferdinand’s case it was his assassination alone that ignited the start of WWI. This is because it led to alliances between different countries that were all ready to fight. Although Banquo’s murder had more of a domino effect that led to war, Ferdinand’s murder led straight to war.

Between Banquo’s and Ferdinand’s murders there were many similarities but also many differences. One difference deals with the reason why they were both murdered. Banquo was murdered based on Macbeth’s paranoia of people finding out of his foul deed. On the other hand**** Ferdinand was murdered because he would not grant independence to [|Serbia]. The second difference is who it was that murdered them. A close friend murdered Banquo, while an agitated country murdered Ferdinand. The last big difference dealt with the method by which they were murdered. In Banquo’s **(word missing here)** he was slain and then Ferdinand was murdered in a more modern fashion with a gun. Despite how similar they were, there was still a huge difference pertaining to their murders.

Francis Ferdinand is the person in history who is most similar to Banquo’s character in Macbeth **(underline the title of a play)**. They are similar because they both had a prophecy involving themselves, both of their children were to be heirs to a throne, and both their deaths led to war. The major difference in their lives pertained to their murders. They were murdered for different reasons, by different people, and in different ways. All in all their lives were easily comparable.

Nicole S. and Lindsay C.