Evilness mwhahahha

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.

People who are not evil take the first step into evil because someone has to do it. While evil is inside everyone, it is sometimes not immediately apparent. For an individual to take the first step to evil, something must happen to bring that evil out. In my opinion, an event must occur to reveal true colors that will bring out evil. For example, Macbeth’s interaction with Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth says, "When you durst do it, then you were a man" (Macbeth 1.7, page 43). Lady Macbeth didn't create the desire for the crown in him. But, the interaction between the two brought about the internal desire within him. The concept of evilness is further developed at the end of their conversation when Macbeth says, "False face must hide what the false heart doth know" (Macbeth 1.7, page 45). Shakespeare uses this language to further his development of Macbeth. He provides Macbeth with this ambiguous  language so that the audience may interpret Macbeth's emotions for themselves. This shows that Macbeth doesn't know if this is what he wants. He is unsure if he actually wants to kill King Duncan until his talk with his wife, Lady Macbeth.

The Porter provides the quote, "down the primrose path to the everlasting bonfire" (Macbeth, 2.3, page 61). The Porter is significant in Act 2 scene 3 because even though he is a minor character, he holds great importance. It could be argued that the reader may infer that the porter’s scene functions as a comic relief after King Duncan is killed. The line, “If a man were porter of a hell gate, he should have old turning the key. Knock, knock, knock!” provides the porters joke. Upon first glance, it would appear that the porter is opening the door to the house; however, on a closer inspection, the door is a metaphor for the gate of hell. The porter is a strange gatekeeper. This scene is effective because it begins with a moment of light comedy, which serves to heighten the suspense. It might create a reaction of humor for the reader.

In this scene, the sense of evil can be seen in the metaphor of hell. Macbeth took the first step into evil by killing King Duncan. He took this step of evil because his wife, Lady Macbeth has had an encounter with him. A consequence of this individual choosing this evil path is from within. Macbeth now faces interior versus exterior consequences. He feels much guilt for committing murder. The line shows Macbeth's feelings, "Had I died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time; for this instant" (Macbeth 2.3, page 69). He was externally playing off the murder but internally he was distraught for the murder of King Duncan since he killed Duncan.


Works Cited

​Shakespeare, William, and John Crowther. No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth. Spark, 2003.