Why Shakespeare Included The Porters scene in a Production Of Macbeth.

        The porter is a marvellous lowlife type of character- drunk, obscene, garrulous, and could be considered as one of Shakespeare’s, best characters of comedy. The bleak

Prathieban Sathanathan                        Mrs. Collins                         Original Writing

intensity of the previous scene gives way to a brief comic interlude- this is where the porter makes his introduction in the play, after the murder of Duncan has been accomplished. Although the porter is crude and rough his introduction benefit’s the play in a number of ways. The continuation of physical knocking reminds us that we are still in the world where the Macbeth’s have jus committed murder.

        There are many practical reasons as to why Shakespeare has included, ’the porters scene,’ into this production of Macbeth. The most obvious are being, it gives the actors playing Macbeth and lady Macbeth time to get of the stage, wash the blood off and change their clothes. Shakespeare also had a lot of comic actors in his company, and many of them needed small parts and they were meant to be popular with the audiences. Shakespeare may have been trying to please King James, as the porter refers to the gunpowder plot. ’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.’ an equivocator is someone who does not actually lie, but does not tell the whole truth either. This means he could balance up the scales of justice, by arguing on both sides and prevent someone being convicted, but he could not argue his way into heaven.

        The point in the play in which Shakespeare has decided to include the scene may be rather comical to some people, as he has brought in this scene straight after a scene which must’ve horrified his audience. He may have brought in this comical scene to restrain the audience from laughing in the wrong places, as there is hardly any other comedy present in the play apart from this particular scene. Shakespeare may have used this distinctive scene as a, ‘laughter conductor,’ so they can be convulsed with laughter in this particular scene, rather than laughing at any other point in the play. By allowing the audience to laugh straight after, the horror of seeing the blood- splattered Macbeth’s they will be more able to endorse the further bloodshed and horror in the scenes that follow.

        Earlier in the play, lady Macbeth calls upon; ‘murdering ministers’ this would immediately cause the audience to make instant comparisons with the Macbeth’s caste castle and hell. ‘The porter,’ would also remind Shakespeare’s audience of the traditional figure of the porter of Hell Gate in medieval plays, this would then make the play universal and this would cause the audience to think that it is about everyone, not just the Macbeth’s. The porter makes a variety of speeches in this scene; some of these are of the main themes in the play these include, equivocation, damnation and the supernatural. ‘Faith, here’s an equivocator that could swear in both scaled against either scale; who committed treason enough for god’s sake, yet could not equivocate to heave: O!’ an equivocator is someone who does not actually lie but does not tell the whole truth either. They hold up and balance the scales of justice, by arguing on both sides, and prevent someone from being convicted; but they could not argue their way into heaven. This topical reference made by the porter to the Gunpowder plot and equivocators would remind the audience about the horror of attempting to kill a king. This would also please king James, as Shakespeare obviously had James primarily in mind whilst writing the play. Shakespeare also includes a reference to, ‘Faith, here’s an English tailor come hither for stealing out of a French hose: come in, tailor; here you may roast your goose.’ The porter is implying that tailors were known for making a profit by using less cloth than the customer had paid for; and they- (the tailors) were eventually caught doing this.  

Prathieban Sathanathan                        Mrs. Collins                         Original Writing

This reference to treason links with the earlier account of the Thane of Cawdor and a later discussion between lady Macbeth and her son. Shakespeare also includes the theme of nature in this scene, the porter explains how the farmer had hoarded his corn, hoping for a famine, so that he could sell it for a high price, but a good harvest (the expectation of plenty) has led to a drop in the price, and he has committed suicide. Because he depends on the seasons, he is a time- server (and will also ‘serve time; in hell). ‘Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty; come in time server.’ There is a direct comparison made throughout the play about desire and act, this is also included in the porters scene. ‘Drink provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance.’ This is typical of the frequent use of antithesis throughout the play.                  

The scene proves on of the most essential for Shakespeare, as it is vital for any production of Macbeth. Various issues are exploited in the scene and it also gives way for on screen issues- such as changing, washing etc. So I feel that this is one of the most effective scenes in the play, even though the porter is crude and rough it is an effective scene- one which also makes the audiences laugh, and also gives the audience some beliefs on issues in the play.