Macbeth

Comparison
Nate & Attila

Hear it not Duncan; for it is a knell/That summons thee to heaven, or

to hell.(II.i.63-64)
Both Macbeth and Attila killed multiple people, some of them close, in order to attain absolute power.

Macbeth

Killed Duncan to attain the title

of king
Had Banquo, his friend, killed
and attempted to kill his son to
prevent them from threatening
his title
Had Macduffs family killed so
Macduff would pose less of a
threat

Attila

Is believed to have killed his

brother and partner in ruling,
Bleda, during a hunting trip
around 445
Bleda and Attila were also
suspected to have killed the
previous ruler and their uncle,
Ruga, to gain control

For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/Disdaining fortune, with

his brandishd steel/Which smoked with bloody execution, (I.ii.16-18
Macbeth and Attila were both powerful warriors, having participated or led multiple successful
battles.

Macbeth

Fought in the battle against

Norway and killed the traitor
Macdonwald
Held his own and managed to
take out some men during the
English armys invasion of his
castle

Attila

Razed and destroyed many

cities and armies during his
invasion of the Balkans and
Eastern Roman empire
During his invasion of the
Western Roman empire, his
armies destroyed many cities,
razing the city of Aquileia so
completely that it was hard to
recognize afterwards

No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive/Our bosom interest. Go pronounce

his present death,/And with his former title greet Macbeth. (I.ii.65-67)
Macbeth and Attila were both paid tributes for the battles of others before the breaking of alliances
and their rampages

Macbeth

Received the title of Thane of

Cawdor after defeating the
Norwegians in battle
Earned the trust and friendship
of King Duncan

Attila

Received large amounts of gold

and treasures from treaties and
being used as warriors for the
Romans
Traded fugitives and
ambassadors between the
Romans and the Huns for some
time before Attilas rule

Theres no art/To find the minds construction in the face:/He was a

gentleman on whom I built/An absolute trust. (I.iv.11-14)
Both Macbeth and Attila were trusted and allied with nations and people that could be considered
more powerful before their respective invasions.

Macbeth

Duncan considered Macbeth a

friend and trusted him
completely, only for Macbeth to
murder him
Was widely regarded as brave
and noble, and had many friends
and acquaintances

Attila

Had a solid alliance between the

Huns and the Western Romans
for almost 50 years
Produced treaties and were on
general good terms between the
Eastern Romans
Was respected by multiple other
clans, such as the Vandals and
the Alans