IB Blog Post #6

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.

In order to an effectively answer this question, an accurate definition of evil is needed. Evil is defined as profoundly immoral or malevolent, with regards to ones actions or thoughts.  In almost all cases of true evil, a good person has a 'trigger' or a 'spark' that ignites them into committing horrible actions and thus, labeling them as evil. This trigger is something that has either occurred directly to them or in response to an event or opportunity. In the play, Macbeth is an upper class war hero who is understood to be a normal man of respect in his timer period. However, Macbeth meets three witches, that belong to a supernatural force in the beginning of the play. The witches tell Macbeth about his prophecy, where they state that he will be Thane of Cawdor and thereafter the King. This specific prophecy is the trigger to Macbeths evil decline or his lust for ultimate power. An example of the witches prophecy can be seen in the play, "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter" (Macbeth 11).  This example simply proves the notion that the prophecy is determining Macbeth to be King in the future. After hearing his prophecy, a trigger was immediately set off in Macbeths brain. He hears a title too prestigious to pass up and his conscious must pursue this opportunity 

As stated above, Macbeth's trigger is hearing the prophecy that gives him an opportunity to advance into a prestigious role in society. At this point in the play, Macbeth is willing to commit any crime or action to make the prophecy come true. Thus, he kills Duncan and the guards and he hires assassins to kill Banquo and his son. Macbeth also is responsible for the murder of Lady Macbeth and her son. Specifically in the murder of Banquo, Macbeth is willing to have his absolute best friend murdered to obtain total power. An example of this is in the text states, " Our fears in Banquo, Stick deep, and in his royalty of nature Reigns that which would be fear'd" (Macbeth 51). Macbeth is talking to the assassins and he tells them that Banquo must be put down because he is a challenge to the crown. These atrocious actions are considered immoral or malevolent, thus Macbeth has been transformed into an evil person. This cycle of a trigger leading to horrible actions, turns a person from normal to pure evil. This cycle can be applied to almost all people who turn evil in the world. For instance, one of the most evil people in history is Adolf Hitler. Hitler was responsible for the genocide of over 6 Million Jews during his tenure. Hitler's trigger occurred on the streets of Austria, where he was homeless. However, he recalls seeing Jewish people prosper around him, while he was homeless. This past event in his life caused him to be a man of hatred and evil, leading him to commit horrible actions, and allowing him to stay in power. 

Choosing evil always leads to the inevitable, a decline in power or death. In the case of Hitler, committed suicide after his actions caught up to him. More importantly, in Macbeth, he is slain by Macbeth and loses all power. In the text it states, "Re-enter Macduff, with Macbeth's head" (Macbeth 118). This example just shows that Macbeth was killed, losing everything that he strived for; by committing horrible actions. In conclusion, evil can be depicted in a cycle where a person has a trauma or spark that ignites them into turning evil, and then they decline.