In response to question 1...
It is a common wonderance why a person might turn to a life of crime and evil, but when one ponders the reasoning behind such a turn, many more could ponder why more people don't turn to a life of evil.
Macbeth, a character who starts out as a good and noble person, takes the first step towards evil after he is tempted by witches. These witches call him "Thane of Glamis...Thane of Cawdor... [and] shall be king thereafter" (Shakespeare 1.3). He is already the Thane of Glamis, but is intrigued by the news he could be the Thane of Cawdor and the king after that. When the "[Title] Thane of Cawdor given to me [Macbeth]..." (Shakespeare 1.3). Macbeth starts to become more and more greedy until his wife convinces him "I have done the deed [killed Duncan]" (Shakespeare 2.2).
Immediately after Macbeth has done the deed, he is haunted by whispers and believes he hears knocking and voices. "Methought I heard a voice cry Sleep no more, " and "Macbeth shall sleep no more" are phrases and whispers he hears upon killing Duncan (Shakespeare 2.2). Thus, it is implied that turning down the path of evil and murder will only lead to craziness and self loathing.
In conclusion, it is a ponderance no more as to why more people don't turn dowm the path of evil. While it is true Beowulf became King, he also started to hate himself and feared what he had done.
