A Letter to Lady Macbeth

By Arushi Bharadwaj (B.A Programme English + Psychology)

Design by Nandana Menon

Dear Lady Macbeth,

In this age of reinterpretation, we no longer regard you just as the brutal instigator of regicide. Instead, we acknowledge your complexity—the complicated dance of power and vulnerability that defines your existence. Lady Macbeth, you are more than a villain; you are a woman navigating dangerous seas, striving for agency in a world that wants to limit you. Your lofty desire, previously considered monstrous, now resonates with individuals seeking attention and authority. We grasp the significance of your unspoken desires—the seduction of the crown, the tempting promise of power. Your passion for excellence reflects our unwavering quest for accomplishment, even if it takes a toll on our spirits. However, dear Lady, your journey into madness is not just a plot device. It reflects the collapse of our sanity in the face of ambition's inevitable grip. We, too, struggle with guilt, haunted by actions taken in pursuit of our aspirations. Your sleepwalking confessions are moving—an intimate portrayal of damaged minds seeking pardon.

Lady Macbeth, we see you again in this modern tapestry. Not as a ruthless schemer, but as a woman on a dangerous path, divided between ambition and morality. Your sadness stems not only from your deeds but also from the limits placed on you—the oppressive roles allocated to women throughout history. So, let's reverse decades of mocking. Let us peel back the layers to discover the raw humanity underlying your regal appearance. Understanding you allows us to see our struggles—the never-ending desire for power and the delicate balance of ambition and morality.

Yours with empathy,

Arushi