Guy Fawkes

[Dóchas]

Just wondering who he really was what you guys think of guy fawkes.

[PostAnarchy]

Certainly was not a revolutionary left figure...religious nutjob from what I understand.

[thejambo1]

wanted to get rid of one monarchy that was very reactionary with another one that was even more reactionary!! not a revolutionary figure at all.

[Random Precision]

A reactionary who wanted to bring back the Inquisition to England. Mostly because of the graphic novel V For Vendetta, he is praised for his desire to blow up Parliament by many anarchists or leftists without any political education, who do not know why he wanted to do that.

[Annie K.]

As soon as we don't judge revolutionnaries for their ideals only, we can judge religious nutjobs for their acts. Another example in a close context is the gordon riots of 1780.
The mass assassination of the aristocracy, whatever the motive, is still a radical critic of the appropriation of power by a dominant class, though not a particularily conscious one.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/3/3c/Fawkes_Political_Poster.jpg

[Forward Union]

He was a religious fanatic-terrorist.

[Sasha]

a few years back when i was on holiday they had an awsome exhibit in the tower of london on the guy fawkes plot, it was not even that long after the london terror atacks yet the whole exhibit was a realy good, balanced and impresive display about how the terrorist for some can be the freedom fighter for others.
and ofcourse he was an religious fundamentalist but in desperate times people look towards religion.

and dont forget that a lot of our leftist ancestors based their believes on religion as well, the levellers, diggers and ranters could be seen as religous cults for example.
the whole idea of total equality and freedom where fisrt based on riligous principles before they evolved further.

i think you can trace even the first steps of marxism to the 1381 peasant revolts wich was fought under the (religious) slogan "when Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman?"

[Organic Revolution]

I think it is really interesting how Guy Fawkes has been framed to most Americans, only learning that portion of Englands history through a popular movie about a person named V. Fawkes has become synonymous with struggle in the US with kids wearing Fawkes masks to protests, and V for Vendetta graffiti going up places, although Fawkes was more of a monarchist if my memory serves me right.

American cultural appropriation is fascinating.

[GPDP]

Not to mention that V himself has been appropriated by the libertarian, Paultard right.

[Dóchas]

some interesting stuff there thanks guys:)

[PostAnarchy]

A reactionary who wanted to bring back the Inquisition to England. Mostly because of the graphic novel V For Vendetta, he is praised for his desire to blow up Parliament by many anarchists or leftists without any political education, who do not know why he wanted to do that.

I agree with this and it is sad that how some leftists are not very informed about this person and instead evolve to knee jerk reactions of anyone who wants to "blow up stuff" without realizing that there are some very reactionary people and organizations who also like to blow up stuff but that of course does not mean we should try to romanticize them in any way shape or form.

[Anarch_Mesa]

First of all Guy Fawkes himself wasn't the "leader" of the plot, a man named Robert Catesby actually led this plot. Guy Fawkes was a figure head and a damn good one. His reasons for destroying the parliment are still not completely known. One reason is the hatred toward Catholics in England at the time, as well as extreem protastants. So he and his followers wanted to make a statement by destroying the Parliment and kidnapping the princess at the time.

I'm not going to tell you if he is a Communist, Socialist, or Anarchist. That is based on opinion so I'll leave this open to you.

And of course afterwards you have to make a fun song about the incedent.


Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I can think of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
t'was his intent To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
A penny loaf to feed the Pope
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A fagot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah hoorah!