Dear Journal,
Yesterday as Banquo and I travelled to Forres, to King Duncan's castle, we chanced upon the witches, three pseudo-soothing old crones. As soon as they saw me, the flattering hags addressed me with titles I have not acquired, well, except for Thane of Glamis. I inherited that one from my late father nearly eight years ago. They said, "Hail Macbeth, Thane of Glamis!" (This did not strike me as odd.) "Hail Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor! Hail Macbeth, who will be king!" I was completely gobsmacked, but Banquo still had control of his tongue. He questioned my reaction (I may have jumped a little) and then asked why they had said nothing to him. That started the old hags off again. "Lesser than Macbeth, but greater," they said. "Not so happy, but happier," they said. "Thou shalt get kings, but thou shalt be none." Can this be truth? That is what I thought as I demanded more answers, but they just vanished like the demons they are. Banquo and I were just beginning to decipher the prophecies when Ross and Angus arrived. They came saying how the King heard of the battles. They said he told them to address me 'Thane of Cawdor', which confused me. Wasn't he still alive? But he was the traitor! And he was put to death today. I am the Thane of Cawdor; I shall have to practice that signature. But this means the witches were right. Are they right about the kingship too? I'd have to kill Duncan and get away with it. What hideous thoughts are running through my mind! Yet I must end this entry short, it's late and I want to write this great news to my beloved wife.
Macbeth – Thane of Cawdor