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Banquo’s Letter

Imagine that Banquo also writes a letter to his wife. It would be a long letter in which he would tell her about the battle, and end just before he is killed. There are three sections.

To my Dearest,

                         I am pleased to report of our triumph. We have fought a long, hard battle during which I have seen many unsightly things. Macbeth, yet again has shone in bravery and courage, without him I am sure we would have surrendered long ago. I am thankful of our victory, it has certainly revived our spirits. The lengthy battle has sacrificed many lives on both sides. I can now look forward to seeing you, I was not sure if I would be able to before the war had finished.

            Across the heath, riding, Macbeth and I encountered three witches claming knowledge of future happenings. They made three predictions. The first and second predictions involve Macbeth. The first was that he is soon to be come the Thane of Cawdor, replacing the old Thane. The second prediction frightens me greatly, the witches forecast Macbeth to be king. I fear evil from the witches, and I am concerned for the kings well being. I cannot see how the possibility of Macbeth becoming king with Malcolm and Donaldbain still heirs to the throne. The third prediction made by these weird

Sisters are equally as puzzling, Fleance and any other future children of ours are to become descendants to the throne. I have been thrown into a world of mystery and I fail to think clearly and rationally. I am fearful of the kings safety and the sanity of Macbeth. He is obviously bewildered by everything and I can see through his courageous front. The long soul destroying battle has taken its toll on everybody. The uncertainty of who was our enemy and who was our friend. Now the news of the witches has occurred I do not know what will become of his state of mind. Macbeth does not know of my worries, but I cannot keep them secret for long, I will become increasingly suspicious every moment I spend in his company.

            This latest news I have received is extraordinary. Ross has just brought information of the treacherous behaviour of the Thane of Cawdor during the battle, because of this sudden unexpected news Ross also announced Macbeth as his successor. Of course I am pleased for my dear friend Macbeth but in my deep inner thoughts I feel fear a dark unknown fear for the kings life and all that succeeds him. If the second prediction is correct I fail to see apart from murder how it would come about. A murder of the king is like killing your brother no matter what you always remain loyal. If the murder of the king was to happen I feel that Scotland is now too weak and will not cope with such a crime. I now feel doubt, I hold no real trust any one. I cannot get the meeting with the witches out of my mind.

            I have not yet slept, this may explain my irrational thoughts. I can now picture Macbeth's reactions, he was clearly troubled every hour this become more evident. Of course these are only suspicions without reason but I do fear for the kings life. The witches have been correct in one forecast that was not so serious but I f they are correct in this the consequences are huge.

            I miss you greatly, it is a times like this when I need you wisdom. I have experienced so many emotions, joy, and relief with wining the war and yet depressing thoughts of the kings possible murder. I feel isolated from everyone. I cannot talk to Macbeth in clear open speech, even though I am betraying our friendship now it would be like accusing him of murder or at the very least guilty thoughts of murder deep inside the hidden part of every persons mind.

            I have not yet sent this letter because of the increasing suspicions of mine. I want to get every detail in, it helps me to know that I can share these deep inner secrets with someone, even if it is a blank piece of paper.

            I travelled with the king to Dunsaine where Macbeth was the host to a celebratory banquet. The mood was strange, I did not know what to say to the king without feeling a traitor. I had to force myself to make polite conversation, I am now sure he thinks there are suspicious thoughts about me in my head.

            The castle itself was alive with the atmosphere, everybody was relieved at the victory, and pleased that all the important people were attending the banquet. The conversation was much the same as many other formal banquets I have attended. Lady Macbeth looked wonderful, she was thriving on playing the hostess. She did, however, act strange, especially around her husband. Everything she did was with a sense of urgency. I felt an uneasy tension and atmosphere between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It was frightening, like they were planing a conspiracy. I tried to avoid any contact between us, although all I could concentrate as their actions.

             My suspicions increased during and after the banquet had finished. Although I had remained fixated with the hosts actions there was a short period where I could not account for Macbeth or Lady Macbeth. I thought I saw Macbeth leave the great hall shortly followed by his wife. I have no idea what to make of this I cannot make assumptions but I fear for the kings safety, especially under Macbeth hospitality. Now with Lady Macbeth entering the picture I have had my suspicions doubled. With two of them I do not see how Duncan can stand up to them.

The second reason for my ever increasing suspicions is conversation late after the banquet had finished. Fleance our innocent son was also present. It is not soo much what Macbeth said, but the way he talked and his expressions. There was a sadness about him and he could not look me in he eye. The darkness was much on his mind, he was up to something I am sure of this, what exactly I do not know.

Late into the night I still cannot sleep my dear I am tired but the issues of the past days have had a great effect on me. Every time I close the tired eyes of mine I can see the haunting images of the witches and the murder of the king, although I can not see Macbeth being strong enough to do it, it is a dark silhouette with no face and no identity.

            I am soon to send this letter, I am searching for a trusted messenger. Fleance has joined me on this search. I cannot give this to any one, because of the content if Macbeth was to get hold of it he would no see me as a friend but an enemy and so would the Scottish court.

I am now not only in fear of the kings life but of mine. Early this morning I received the awful news of the kings murder. I am empty I have myself guilty thoughts and feelings, I cannot help but feel that in some way I am responsible. I have lost all trust in anyone. I have doubts and suspicions in every face I see. I long for it not to be Macbeth, but I cannot discount his strangeness in behaviour since the meeting of the witches. At the same time I have the meaning of our great friendship, I am thinking of the great bravery and courage of Macbeth and his honesty and devotion to Scotland. 

            The king was murdered last night, late after the banquet when all was dark and silent. The reaction has been that of shock, especially to the heirs to the throne, the kings sons, Malcolm and Donaldbain. You cannot however remove them from suspicions, soon after the terrible news was brought to them they fled, I do not know where. This could possibly be a sign of guilt, or the more reasonable conclusion is that of fear, they are clever enough to realise whoever did this wants to be king, and they stand in his way. I wish them well and secretly I pray for their return, for Scotland’s sake.

            I have to keep a careful watch on all those that surround me. I must try to keep an apparent to Macbeth. Otherwise I to must fear for my life. This I am already finding it hard to do so. He is jumpy and does not seem to be acting the same way as everybody else.

            Not only is it Macbeth that frightens me deeply, but the fact that the three witches being correct. If the third prediction is to be between many people are that Scotland has been betrayed. Country is exhausted after the war with the Norwegian rebels and cannot cope, many feel a downfall is soon to become reality.

            I miss your great wisdom and I pray that this letter reaches you safely. I must leave this letter in the capable hands o this anonymous messenger. There is far correct I panic for Fleance and his wellbeing. The dark evil I fee has not finished, I believe this murder has caught the taste for blood and may be ready to strike again.

            I am certain that I am not alone in my suspicions and concerns. At Macbeth coronation man of the lords and advisers to Duncan did not attend, out of fear for their lives but as loyalty to the true rightful king Malcolm. The event did not hold any importance and was an anti-climax to all the events of the past few days. The feelings too much detail contained in this letter so I ask you kindly to destroy it as it could lead to harm for all of us.

Your loving husband,

Banquo.

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