Porter Scene Act II, SCENE III.in "Macbeth" By William Shakespeare----Structural and Linguistic Analysis of the Porter Scene in Macbeth

Macbeth By William Shakespeare

Significance of ‘Porter Scene’ in Macbeth

Act II, SCENE III. Court of Macbeth's castle.(porter Scene)

Knocking within. Enter a Porter

Porter

Here's a knocking indeed! If a
man were porter of hell-gate, he should have
old turning the key.
Knocking within
Knock,
knock, knock! Who's there, i' the name of
Beelzebub? Here's a farmer, that hanged
himself on the expectation of plenty: come in
time; have napkins enow about you; here
you'll sweat for't.
Knocking within
Knock,
knock! Who's there, in the other devil's
name? Faith, here's an equivocator, that could
swear in both the scales against either scale;
who committed treason enough for God's sake,
yet could not equivocate to heaven: O, come
in, equivocator.
Knocking within

Knock,
knock, knock! Who's there? Faith, here's an
English tailor come hither, for stealing out of
a French hose: come in, tailor; here you may
roast your goose.
Knocking within
Knock,
knock; never at quiet! What are you? But
this place is too cold for hell. I'll devil-porter
it no further: I had thought to have let in
some of all professions that go the primrose
way to the everlasting bonfire.
Knocking within
Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter.
Opens the gate
Enter MACDUFF and LENNOX

MACDUFF

Was it so late, friend, ere you went to bed,
That you do lie so late?

Porter

'Faith sir, we were carousing till the
second cock: and drink, sir, is a great
provoker of three things.

MACDUFF

What three things does drink especially provoke?

Porter

Marry, sir, nose-painting, sleep, and
urine. Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes;
it provokes the desire, but it takes
away the performance: therefore, much drink
may be said to be an equivocator with lechery:
it makes him, and it mars him; it sets
him on, and it takes him off; it persuades him,
and disheartens him; makes him stand to, and
not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him
in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.

MACDUFF

I believe drink gave thee the lie last night.

Porter

That it did, sir, i' the very throat on
me: but I requited him for his lie; and, I
think, being too strong for him, though he took
up my legs sometime, yet I made a shift to cast
him.

MACDUFF

Is thy master stirring?
Enter MACBETH
Our knocking has awaked him; here he comes.

Structural Analysis

Dramatic Purpose: The Porter scene serves as a comedic interlude in the otherwise tragic drama of Macbeth. It provides a stark contrast to the tense and suspenseful atmosphere that precedes and follows it, offering a moment of comic relief for the audience.

Dramatic Irony: The scene is rich in dramatic irony. The audience is aware of the gruesome murder that has just taken place, while the Porter remains oblivious, making jokes about hell and damnation. This contrast creates a humorous and unsettling effect.

Foreshadowing: The Porter's references to "equivocators" and "hell" foreshadow Macbeth's own descent into guilt and damnation. His drunken ramblings provide a subtle hint of the horrors that have taken place within the castle.

Linguistic Analysis

Language and Style: Shakespeare employs a variety of linguistic devices to create humor and interest in the Porter scene. These include:

Wordplay and Puns: The Porter's dialogue is full of wordplay and puns, such as his references to "hell-gate" and "the everlasting bonfire."
Exaggeration: The Porter's descriptions are often exaggerated and humorous, such as his claims about the number of people who would come to hell.
Double Entendres: The Porter uses double entendres, playing on the multiple meanings of words to create suggestive or humorous effects.
Rhyme and Rhythm: Shakespeare uses rhyme and rhythm to create a musical and memorable quality to the Porter's speech.

Social Commentary: The Porter's monologue also offers a glimpse into the social and cultural context of the play. His references to various professions and his commentary on drunkenness and morality reflect the attitudes and values of the time.

In conclusion, the Porter scene in Macbeth is a masterfully crafted piece of dramatic writing that effectively uses humor, irony, and linguistic devices to create a memorable and entertaining interlude. It serves a crucial role in the overall structure of the play, providing a contrast to the tragedy and foreshadowing the events to come.

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