See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil

             Question: 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)?

                                   

          When one's eager to fit in or one's influenced by media, word of mouth or even to boost one's confidence. These types of feelings or acts allow one to take the path of evil. There are people that are normal and have an everyday life but want to be spontaneous and try something new. But what one doesn't take into consideration is that there can be severe consequences to their actions. In the moment it may not feel that way and one can feel superior. But in the long run it can haunt one until the day they die. 

          This could be related to the feeling that Macbeth gets after he has killed Duncan. In the beginning he is thinking, how was he capable of doing such a thing. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And one is left doing what they have to reach a goal or multiple goals. The following feeling he receives is that he is above all and now can become King and fulfill the Three Witches prophesy. The final stage of emotion he feels is what we read in class in Act III. He is now battling an "evil spirit." It can be inferred that Duncans spirit has come back to haunt him along with Banquo. With both of them being killed, both spirits and emotions are intertwined to make Macbeth feel the way he does. Macbeth has killed in war before but that was to win for a good reason. To the citizens he is seen as someone who can do no evil or harm. But inside he can do whatever he puts his mind to.

          "Down the primrose path to the everlasting bonfire." Breaking down this saying can be seen as saying you have went down the road to destruction. Meaning that you may not have distrusted yourself on the outside. But on the inside it is eating you up... BADLY! At a certain time, your bad will outweigh the right and cause all your bottled up evil to come out. And at that point you are done and there is nothing left of you. The broad and attractive road to destruction. Macbeth is trying to make what he has done right and that is not the case. This is why Duncan comes back to haunt Macbeth. What Macbeth has done wasn't an easy task but inside he is trying to make it seem easier. 

          The consequences of choosing evil and/or taking the evil path can lead someone straight into turmoil. There is a saying about Karma, and it is, "Karma is a B!t(H!" And that is one consequences that can happen. Another possible consequence is how Macbeth is feeling in Act III, Scene IV when Banquo is haunting him. Morality also plays apart in the consequences of what one did. It can be questioned if it is Morally right or wrong no matter the size of the action. Whether that is killing someone or stealing a pencil. It can drive one insane. One begins to questions their morals and question how they feel about the actions they have committed. More than ever, the consequences will mostly outweigh the "good" one thinks they have done.

          Lastly, one can think about the definition of what is seen as evil and the mans ability to be evil. Whether the definition of evil be hurting someone or killing someone there is still evil being done. And if a man can be evil, yes but there are no limits to how much evil and the ability to be evil. Some can comprehend and others cannot. Macbeth is one who cannot comprehend evil and what he has done.