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Unfortunately in our world today, there are many unjust and terrible crimes occurring all around us.  Many of us look at these crimes and are overcome with sorrow and compassion for the victims, but we don’t have the opportunity or motivation to take matters in our own hands.  This leads to the question: If we were aware of the crime occurring, as a witness how morally should we handle it?  In the case of both the Holocaust and Macbeth, it would have been very hard, if not impossible, for a witness to speak out and take action.   The Holocaust was filled with many odious crimes occurring all the time.  Therefore for someone to take responsibility and condemn the actions of the Nazi soldiers, it would have gotten them killed.  In the story of Macbeth, the character of MacBeth abused his recently gained power and decided to order several executions of innocent people.   For someone to stand up to Macbeth, it would have automatically resulted in their death without having even a slight effect on Macbeth himself.  Responsibility for these heinous crimes however can be blamed on no one but the people who ordered the executions.  Yet some blame can fall upon the individuals who carry out the unjust orders.   In “Can You Learn Anything From a Void?” Adam Kirsch states, “If Victor Capesius had never been born, or if he had refused to take part in the selections at Auschwitz, just as many Jews would have died there.”  Although the actions that Victor and many other German soldiers committed were without a doubt immoral, their lack of participation would have had no effect on the outcome.   Just as many Jews would have died regardless of if Victor participated.  Although they didn’t have many options, Victor and other Nazi soldiers are still partly responsible for their crimes.     This is also the unfortunate case in the story of Macbeth.  Even though the guards killed innocent people under direct orders, they are still left with the responsibility of the murders.  Just because they were ordered to kill certain individuals, under no means, meant they had to proceed with the murder.  Although we have seen many examples of hatred, there are ways to combat the evil in the world and uphold your moral convictions.  The best way to combat the hatred in the world is with compassion.  You have to show compassion and sympathy to others, in order to prevent an evil act.   For example, In “Can You Learn Anything From  A  Void?” Kirsch states, “Over and over again, nothing but dates and numbers for a defense, never an awakening, never any self-reflection: morality, guilt, conscience.” This statement refers to the lack of compassion and remorse that Victor Capesius had when he murdered thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.