The Letter as Dramatic Character : The Significance and Functions of the Epistles in Shakespeare’s Plays (I)

The letter is a useful tool with which
the playwright can sharpen the identity of his
characters, probe into their minds, increase
the dramatic effect, or enrich the meaning of
the play. Shakespeare uses the letter in at
least 31 of his dramatic works.
Sometimes it is key to the development of
the plot (e.g. Macbeth’s letter to his Lady);
sometimes it adds an important dimension to
a character (e.g. Hamlet’s forging of
Claudius’s letter to the King of England);
Maria’s letter as read by Malvolio partakes
of both functions above. Some fake letters
reveal the true intentions of the writer; some
true letters are false in intent. And then
there is the dimension of writer-reader
relationship, to which may sometimes be
added the role of the messenger. Etc.
There are a variety of uses, all of which are
theatrically significant.