1. Why do people who are not "evil"
take the first step into evil? What, for instance, is involved in taking that
first step "down the primrose path to the everlasting bonfire"
(Macbeth, 2.3)? What are the consequences of the individual choosing evil (particularly
the internal consequences)? Use examples from the text to support your opinion.
Most
people who are not “evil” take the first step into being evil to fulfill a
longing desire or receive pressure from an outside source. When an overall good
person commits a horrific and wicked act, it usually can’t help but leave a
lasting impression. The crime also tends to alter a person’s behavior and
emotions. When reflecting on the awful act, a person either gets eaten alive by
their own guilt or it becomes the first of many crimes that that person is a
part of. This reaction is based off of the success and effectiveness of the
original crime.
In
Macbeth, we see both desire and pressure conveyed. After Macbeth learns that he
will one day become king from the Weird Sisters, he can’t stop thinking about
it. “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter,” (Macbeth, 1.3). He later decides to take matters into his own
hands by killing the current king, Duncan. In addition to Macbeth’s desire to
become king, we see his wife, Lady Macbeth, encouraging the murder. This
encouragement helps Macbeth to justify the killing, as well as his strong desire
to rule.
“…I
have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which
o’erlaps itself and falls on th’ other-“ (Macbeth, 1.7). This quote justifies
why Macbeth believes it is okay to murder Duncan by implying that his
determination and ambition is simply too powerful to resist. Although this may
seem a bit irrational, Macbeth uses it to help ease the guilt of committing this
crime on an innocent person, like Duncan.
As the
audience continues to read, they see Macbeth acknowledge the success and ease
of Duncan’s murder which leads to more terrible crimes taking place. The good
character of Macbeth displayed at the beginning of the play turns into a cruel individual
as the play goes on. Different events later happen that we, as the audience,
are disappointed to see Macbeth engage in as he begins his travel down the path
of evil.
This picture shows how the three witches seem to be plotting to destroy Macbeth even though their message seems promising.
