Lady Macbeth’s letter

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis.

All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor.

All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king here after.

I hail you my king and praise you my husband. I gladly accept this joyous news which was brought to you by, as Banquo put it ‘The Devil’. However my dear do not take notice of one who has been promised nothing but the success of his children and perhaps grandchildren. He, who shall die not, remembered.

And when his body is laid in an unmarked grave, then eternity he shall have to think about what he could never be.

My beloved one, you should praise your messengers who have brought the news of your glorious future to you. Though in appearance they may look like savages who roam the earth, their news is worth my love for you. When your interrogation began and they vanished to the Under World why was there surprise in your reaction? Surely you must have known when what needs to be done is done there is no need for lingering.

They had already made you Thane of Cawdor and from their own perspective they had already crowned you King. What else could have been their purpose?

Then why do I ponder a question in my head? Why does Duncan name Malcolm his successor? Providence has sealed your destiny and yet powerless men have enough might to steal it from you. And I discover the answer to this predicament. Time is our only enemy, though I promise that a great amount of it won’t fade away before the crown of Scotland is placed upon your head. I shall also sit beside you as queen of Scotland and beloved companion of Great Macbeth.

Though I do express my reservations at your fair and just will. I feel your passion in wanting to become King and your desire to fulfil your destiny but your kindness and honesty may prove to be your downfall. That is why I have taken the responsibility of preparing you for your ultimate battle. Your soul must turn black and your heart to stone for only then you can be King. My ambitions are fuelled with you in mind. I do not desire that you become King for my sakes but instead that your true potential can be reached. You shall not be stopped from accomplishing your goal and I shall make that no force on this earth is able to do so. Malcolm may think he shall be King and so may all the others. Though this as you, I and unfortunately perhaps Banquo realises that this is not true. I would also like to ask a question to which I will eagerly await the reply. Have you told anyone else about your good tidings?

Finally I bid farewell to my one true love and anticipate your arrival.

All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.