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.
Solid concise post. I wish you had also talked about external as well as internal consequences when acting upon evil. The use of quotes is also very good to validate some of your points. You mainly talked about Macbeth and "methinks" you should have gone just a little bit outside of that. Overall; Solid concise post.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up Beowulf- can you expand on how he is both similar and different from Macbeth?
ReplyDeleteTristan, your first sentence is a crazy-good hook! I have never even thought about that question before. I think your point of temptation and power leading to the evil is very valid, and you used good evidence to prove it. I am, however, confused about the connection between the easiness of turning to evil, and the self-loathing it leads to; wouldn't that decrease the amount of people? I'd like to hear more about this opinion, its cool!
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