The Anonymous Mask popularized by the film, “V for Vendetta” and the Occupy Wall Street movement was modeled after Guy Fawkes face.
November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day.
Many Americans know Guy Fawkes through the movie “V for Vendetta“, or at least recognize the mask, popularized by the film, and which then used by activists in the Occupy Wallstreet movement back in 2011, which was modeled after his face.
We have a basically positive view of Fawkes.
But in England, it’s the other way around. Fawkes is seen by many as a traitor and they celebrate his death.
You’re familiar with the John Lennon song, “Remember” where he sings “remember, remember, the 5th of November….”? Listen to the rest of the words.
Guy Fawkes
So, why the dif? Who the heck was Guy Fawkes?
Guy Fawkes was one of the leaders in the infamous “Gunpowder Plot” – a plan to blow up the House of Lords in London in 1605. He was caught, tried and then hung and in England to this day and as I mentioned, Guy Fawkes’ execution is celebrated.
Yet “V for Vendetta tells the story ( “V for Vendetta“) differently. The movie points out that Fawkes was not trying to blow up Parliament, but the House of Lords – the seat of autocratic rule and symbol of religious persecution in England at the time. (Remember the Pilgrims? They came to the New World because they were being persecuted for their religion.)
Here’s what wikipedia says about Guy Fawkes:
Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606) was a member of a group of English Roman Catholics who attempted to carry out the Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I of England, to destroy Protestant rule by killing the Protestant aristocracy, on 5 November 1605.
Mask of Guy Fawkes used for “V for Vendetta” film.
Learn the real story of Guy Fawkes and celebrate the 5th of November for the right reason!
This is a re-write of an article originally posted Oct 30, 2007
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