#(also while we're talking about Arthurian stuff: the parallels between the Holy Grail and the Urn of Sacred ashes anyone?)

[marythegizka]

You know how I said that in Dragon Age, Anora was basically Princess Leia in that Denerim quest and that Loghain was Vader? Well, I'm actually starting to think he might be Macbeth. Here's why:

- They're both given titles by the King after repelling invaders and/or internal enemies (this happens to Macbeth at the beginning of the play, and to Loghain in the book prequels).

- Speaking of the the book prequels, Flemeth's prophecies made me think of the Three Witches (plus, she does live in a creepy, misty marsh).

- Even their last names and titles bear some resemblance (they have a similar 'rhythm' and a few identical consonnants which are placed in the same position): Mac Tir/ Macbeth, Teyrn of Gwaren/Thane of Glamis

- People’s opinions of Loghain (Aemon's surprise at Loghain's actions or the fact that he of all people might want power, Alistair's pre-Ostagar opinion of him, what his soldiers say about him, etc.) are also quite evocative of the way Macbeth himself used to be perceived by the characters in the play (i.e. an honest man, deserving of the honours bestowed upon him etc. etc.). They can’t quite reconcile the hero he used to be with the tyrant he has become.

- Lady Macbeth seems to be split into two characters: Howe as the one who prods him further into the mire and his paranoia, and Anora as the one who may reap the benefits of his actions/become the rightful Queen.

- MacBeth is responsible for Duncan's death, and Loghain... is responsible for Duncan's death (see, I didn't even need to change the names). Now, it is true that, in Dragon Age, Duncan is not the King (Cailan is, but he does die in the same circumstances), but he definitely is a father figure to Alistair, who may later be avenged and crowned King depending on the player’s choices (which I suppose makes him an equivalent of Malcolm?).

- Both of them alienate a good chunk of the nobility, which results in violent conflict.

- Both are perfectly aware that what they are doing is messed up (see that cutscene of Loghain in the palace after the first main quest is completed, or just how placid he is if or when the player decides to execute or sacrifice him... this isn't something you'd expect from someone with a clear conscience...) but, since they're both embodiments of the whole 'the end justifies the means' saying, they just double down and hope it doesn't backfire (which, of course, is exactly what happens). In the end the difference between the two is that Loghain is (arguably) a tad less depressed and more ‘idealistic’, for lack of a better term (he thinks he's doing it for Ferelden, as opposed to Macbeth’s personal ambition, but that doesn't change the fact that he is completely willing to sacrifice personal integrity to reach his goals) which may explain why he can get a redemption arc, but that's basically it. I don’t know if I’m going anywhere with this, but I thought it was funny (well. sort of.)