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.
The transition of good to evil is not so transparent in the real world as it is in stories. Macbeth for example, takes the plunge in hoping to attain higher power by fulfilling the witches prophecy: "I am his Kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife myself" (Shakespeare Scene IV Act 1). Even in Macbeth's contemplation he realizes that his actions to aspire to power would be wrong. However, Lady Macbeth's convincing words and Macbeth's own lust for power would soon drive him to do the deed against Duncan and soon Banquo too. This moment is fairly clearly the beginning of Macbeth's descent into evil as he realizes what he could gain by simply committing a single crime. The situation is surely similar to many real life examples of evil transition. Many leaders in the real world who are known for being evil were likely good before a taste or thirst for power drove them to begin committing evil deeds which would ultimately damn them.
The factors involved with taking the first step, for Macbeth at least, are very plainly displayed. In Macbeth's evil transition it is apparent: "Is this a dagger which i see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee" (Shakespeare Scene 1 Act 2). For Macbeth, his first step was taking up this either material or ethereal knife as he settled his mind on killing Duncan to become Cawdors king. For other instances of evil transition. It is likely a similar event which leads to an individual becoming malicious in intent. For a robber, it may be the final decision and purchase of a gun that final deems him as "evil" as he has decided to commit a crime in hopes of gaining something.
Finally, the consequences of choosing evil. Macbeths consequences become apparent directly after his decision to murder Banquo and Fleance: "Which of you have done this? What, my good lord? Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me" (Shakespeare Scene IV Act III). Not only is Macbeth immediately haunted by the ghosts of his deeds but his brush with Banquo's ghost serves to make him look the part of a fool in front of all the nobleman he worked to impress. In exchange for his evil gains he was faced with directly countered consequences which lead to his social and mental demise. For Macbeth, the internal consequences become apparent in the ensuing madness that grips him during this scene. For other individuals, the consequence is likely the same. Like Macbeth many people would begin to lose their mind in recognition of their own evil deeds. That is the greatest consequence that can befall someone who perpetrates evil; the destruction of their own mind when they realize what they have done for power.
BTW: happy birthday Mrs. Genesky!
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