In the 2010 NFL Draft, Aaron Hernandez from the University of Florida was selected with the 113th overall pick by the New England Patriots. He was instantly successful, and was voted to the Pro Bowl during his sophomore season in the league. He became a fan favorite among millions of Patriots’ fans around the country. But during the summer of 2013, he was arrested for first-degree murder. When reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Aaron Hernandez’s story comes to mind because of the undeniable similarities in both the characters/people and the plotline of the cases. Shakespeare’s play and the Hernandez case connect with each other in many ways.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a famous Scottish general named Macbeth is told by three witches that he will become the king of Scotland. He later kills his own king (who was well loved and respected by Macbeth) in order to become king himself. He would later be killed by those who figure out his crime. Macbeth was a widely recognized person, famous in battle, and often praised by King Duncan, as shown in the play: “DUNCAN: Thou art so far before that swiftest wing of recompense is slow to overtake thee (I.iv.17-19).” Macbeth’s background and reputation before the murder is similar to Aaron Hernandez’s background (being a famous NFL tight end for the New England Patriots). The two of them were very well known, and had bright futures ahead. Hernandez would charged for murdering semi-pro linebacker and friend Odin Lloyd. Both cases were wildly unexpected, as many New England Patriots state that they are “still in shock” from their former teammate’s actions. Macbeth’s brother in arms, Banquo, was similarly shocked after King Duncan’s death.
Macbeth and the Hernandez Case also feature many characters who play similar roles within the plot. Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife who encouraged Macbeth to kill Duncan to become king. She would also assist him in framing the guards, as shown: “Infirm of purpose! Give me the daggers… I'll gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt (II.ii.54-59).” This eventually caused her to go insane. Aaron Hernandez’s fiancee Shayanna Jenkins, who is the sister of Odin Lloyd’s girlfriend at the time of his death, was reportedly charged for involvement in assisting Hernandez after he murdered Lloyd. It is stated that Jenkins also lied dozens of times to the jury about her fiance and his involvement in the case. The role that these two had in their respective murder cases bear undeniable similarities, as they both assisted their husbands in murder. Odin Lloyd and King Duncan also are somewhat similar, based off of their relationship to Hernandez/Macbeth. Odin Lloyd and Aaron Hernandez were supposedly close friends, and Lloyd lost Hernandez’s trust after something Lloyd said at a nightclub. King Duncan and Macbeth were similarly close because Macbeth was one of Duncan’s finest generals. It wasn't until Macbeth heard the witches’ prophecy, that he chose to kill Duncan.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the Aaron Hernandez case bear many parallels in both the plot and the characters/people involved. Macbeth and Aaron Hernandez are both well-known people who murdered someone close to them. The relationship of the murderer-victim was also similar in both stories. Aside from the motives of the main characters, Macbeth and Aaron Hernandez undeniably connect to each other, and the timeline of Hernandez’s case bears a similar trajectory to Macbeth’s plot line.
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