MACBETH FROM THE SHAKESPEARE PLAY 2
The eightfold path refers to principles to be followed in the pathof life that aim at promoting self-discovery for followers ofBuddhism. The path comprises of eight aspects. These are “rightview, intention, action, speech, livelihood, effort, mindfulness andright concentration.” Macbeth from Shakespeare fails to follow thispath due to his actions. His actions go against some of the eight“rights” that must be followed by Buddhists’ on a daily basis.
At the onset of the play, we learn that Macbeth in a valiant, nobleas well as brave person. However, as the play progresses, we learn ofhis evil nature, which is actualized by his dishonorable act ofmurdering the king. His act of murdering the king fails as a “rightintention or action” as per the eightfold path. The path informsthat a Buddhist must be mindful of their intentions towards others.When the intentions are a result of greed, then the outcome is harm.In Macbeth’s case, his intention was greed, because he desired tobe King, which causes him to do harm by murdering. Also, the pathmakes it clear that all actions ought to focus on helping instead ofcausing harm that a Buddhist should avoid doing anything that resultin suffering. Contrary, Macbeth’s action of murdering the king isevil and causes suffering.
Another important aspect of the eightfold that makes it possible toexplain how Macbeth does not follow the path is the “rightlivelihood.” It refers to how people live and questions whetherpeople are living in the appropriate manner. In many ways, Macbethlives inappropriately. He allows the witches prophecies to overpowerhow he lives, he murders his way to becoming king, and is led by evilambition.