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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.
Under the assumption that there are people who are inherently good and evil, good people take steps to become evil when they deem the reward. In Macbeth's case the reward in question was becoming King and having power. Despite Macbeth knowing that this was a dark desire and that it was wrong, he continued down the path because he thought his actions were justified because it was fate that he become king. Macbeth debates the implications of the prophecy given to him by the witches when he said, "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my settled heart knock at my ribs" (Macbeth, 1.3). This shows Macbeth calling his own perceived goodness into question because he is being tempted by the witches. Furthermore, it proves that according to Macbeth your goodness is determined by your steadfastness.
However, Macbeth does not take the first steps down an evil path alone. Lady Macbeth said, "'Thus thou must do,' if thou have it, And that which rather thou dost fear to do" (Macbeth, 1.5). From this it is known that upon hearing of the prophecy Lady Macbeth was afraid Macbeth was too fearful to take the next steps to become King. This fear is proven when Macbeth said, "If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me Without my stir" (Macbeth, 1.4). This quote showing Macbeth was not going to take the first steps towards evil, just as Lady Macbeth feared, which spurred her into pushing him to take action against Duncan. In summation, Macbeth took the first steps towards evil simply by allowing himself to be swayed, first by the witches and then by his wife.
Macbeth certainly felt the consequences of his evil actions, those consequences being his overwhelming guilt and losing sight of everything he held dear before the prophecy. The first way Macbeth shows his guilt over his own actions is after he has killed Duncan. Macbeth said, "One cried 'God bless us' and 'Amen' the other, As they had seen me with these hangman's hands, List'ning their fear. I could not say 'Amen'" (Macbeth, 2.2) This shows Macbeth imagined Duncan's sons had seen him killing their father and he now felt shut out from God, making Macbeth forever changed. Macbeth was not the only one who felt guilty about their evil actions, Lady Macbeth reveals in a fit of sleep talking that she too felt guilty over what happened to Duncan. Lady Macbeth said, "Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?" (Macbeth, 5.1). This shows a thought Lady Macbeth likely had when she planted Macbeth's murder weapons and shows her shock upon seeing all the blood.
Along with the guilt, Macbeth also loses sight of his love and respect for Lady Macbeth, which he shows in the early portions of the play. Macbeth said, "my dearest partner of greatness" (Macbeth, 1.5). From this, the audience knows Macbeth viewed Lady Macbeth as an equal when he sent her this letter. This is starkly different than in Lady Macbeth's sleep talking when she said, "The Thane of Fife had a wife. Where is she now?" (Macbeth 5.1). From this we know Macbeth did not discuss his plans about Macduff's family with Lady Macbeth, showing he no longer viewed her as his equal. Moreso he has no real attachment to her by the end of the play. This is shown in Macbeth's reaction to finding out his wife is dead, Macbeth said, "She should have died hereafter. There would have been time for such a word" (Macbeth, 5.5). This shows Macbeth is not mourning his wife's loss and does not even ask how she died. From these pieces of evidence the conclusion that the consequences of Macbeth heading down an evil path is that he is overwhelmed by guilt and stops caring about his wife, who he once saw as an equal.
Pretty good analysis and abundant use of relevant quotes. You did a good job substantiating your thesis that Macbeth was sort of lured into evil by the witches and his wife. I just thought of this right now, but I wonder if there's some sort of gender aspect to that, like with how Shakespeare thought about women and all that, with Macbeths's downfall essentially being caused by "evil" women. Ok, that was a bit of a tangent, but I dunno, I feel like there might be something there which we haven't considered. Sorry, enough of my theories. All in all this was a pretty insightful blogpost and I'm glad I read it. Keep it up, Laura!
ReplyDeleteHey, I really liked how you included that people take the first step into being evil when there is an overall reward. For Macbeth, it really took him believing in the witches that he was going to be King but he did not know how it was going to happen so he decided to take the first evil step. I like how you included that along with the evil steps comes the consequences like guilt after Macbeth killed King Duncan. Macbeth was very wishy washy with his beliefs and you did a good job showing that through the quotes you chose!!
ReplyDeleteOverall, I really liked your analysis. I liked how you started with the prophecies and portrayed Macbeth as someone who was "following his destiny" rather than doing the wrong thing. I also like how you wrapped Lady Macbeth into the spectrum, and made the comparison as how she walked down the path with him even though the prophecies were not meant for her. I think the way you included quotes made your points and argument a lot stronger!
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