Equivocation for Justification
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| Shiekh Nimr al-Nimr |
A murder is not always a random, unexpected action: sometimes, it is a calculated move. Both the article “Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric” by BBC editors from the BBC News website and Macbeth, a play written by William Shakespeare, examine the significance of murders committed out of fear and the murders’ lack of justification that leads to a response.
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| Macbeth from Polanski's film |
Victims may be feared by their murderers, and both the article and play explore this common driving force behind two different killings. The article describes how on January 2nd, 2016, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Saudi Arabian Shia cleric, was executed. In the majority Sunni nation of Saudi Arabia, Nimr al-Nimr, a religious leader fighting peacefully against the marginalization of Shias in the country, was accused of violence by the government as a method to justify the execution; still, family members, friends, and witnesses all said al-Nimr promoted nonviolence. The article analyzes how Saudi Arabia fears a growing dissatisfaction with the current ruling al-Saud family and the expanding influence of Shias in the Middle East. “But one of the principal concerns of the Saudis is what they see as the growing influence of Iran in places like Syria, Iraq and elsewhere,” writes the BBC editors (BBC editors). With the fear of the growing power of Iran, a majority Shia country, Saudi Arabia looks to send a message through the execution of al-Nimr while unintentionally revealing its fear. In Macbeth, as king, Macbeth kills Banquo and Macduff’s family; he also attempts to kill Banquo’s son, Fleance, and Macduff. Macbeth fears that Banquo or his son will eventually become the king of Scotland, so he attempts to have anyone who is a threat murdered to ensure his safety. “Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared,” says Macbeth before calling in for the murderers who he assigns the task of killing Banquo and Fleance (Mac. 3.1.48-50). Macbeth’s fear drives him to do whatever is necessary to avoid a loss of power as king, even if it involves the murder of his friend Banquo. The article and play analyze how fear can be a major factor inspiring a murder; however, this is not a justified motive for killing someone and substantial consequences often result.
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| Saudi Arabian embassy set ablaze in Iran |
A murder is difficult to rationalize, and the many murders that are committed without any justification warrant the consequences of an aggrieved reaction that often follow. In both the play and article, the murders were unjustified and engendered a significant response. “The international rights group Reprieve called the executions ‘appalling,’ saying at least four of those killed, including Sheikh Nimr, were put to death for offences related to political protest,” writes the BBC (BBC editors). The expression of opposing political views cannot justify an execution, and Shias in Iran were quick to respond. Within hours of the execution, Iranians had set fire to the Saudi Arabian embassy in Tehran. Subsequently, the government in Iran cut ties with Saudi Arabia to respond to this murder they viewed as inhumane(CNN, “Saudi Arabia Severs Ties with Iran as Protests Rage”). In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, after it becomes clear that King Macbeth has ordered many murders, he is seen as a tyrant, and Malcolm and Macbeth plot to overthrow him with a large British force. Macbeth has no justification for the murders, and his motive is solely to ensure that there are no threats to his power. “Bring thou this fiend of Scotland and myself. WIthin my sword’s length set him,” exclaims an angry Macduff as he finds out that Macbeth is responsible for the murder of his wife, children, and servants (Mac. 4.3.236-237). As a direct response to Macbeth’s tyrannical murders, Macduff plots a forceful attack on Macbeth’s kingdom. In both the article and play, those who feel connected to the victim of the unjustified murder decide to respond. In the article, the government of Iran, an officially Shia country, felt associated to the Shia protester; similarly in Macbeth, Macduff feels connected to his murdered family while Malcolm also feels linked to the murders taking place in his home country. When a government or person feels that an unjust action is committed, they swiftly respond to make it clear that the action will not be tolerated.
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A murder is a vicious act, and while the one committing it may have a reason, it often appears unjustified to those close to the victim who seek revenge. It is important to analyze a murder from the view of both the one perpetrating it and the victim to be able to understand any motives and to discover an accurate description of how it took place. Both the BBC editors’ article and Shakespeare’s Macbeth explain a murder from both viewpoints; through analysis, it can be concluded that the motive for each murder was fear, and its lack of sufficient justification warrants a response from those connected to the victim. While Shakespeare’s play is a work of fiction, his works including Macbeth have been politicized; therefore, they are often used as examples to represent real events such as this execution in Saudi Arabia. The BBC editors’ article and Shakespeare’s play are both forms that provide descriptions of a murder and allow an explanation to emerge of a seemingly unexplainable occurrence.
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