Subjects

Subjects

More

Search

AI Knowunity

Subjects

/

English Literature

/

Poetry II

/

Poetry II

/

Identify and Explain the Function of an Allusion

Fun and Tricks in Macbeth: Why the Porter Scene Matters

View

Fun and Tricks in Macbeth: Why the Porter Scene Matters
user profile picture

Laura Palmer

@laurapalmer_dkmv

·

28 Followers

Follow

Analysis of comic relief in Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 presents a crucial turning point where dark comedy meets tragedy through the Porter's scene, followed by the discovery of Duncan's murder. The scene masterfully balances humor with mounting tension.

  • The Porter's monologue serves as both comic relief and symbolic commentary
  • Themes of truth and deception in Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 emerge through the Porter's references to equivocators
  • The scene transitions from comedy to horror with Duncan's murder discovery
  • Language shifts dramatically from the Porter's crude humor to Macbeth's calculated responses
  • Natural omens and supernatural elements underscore the gravity of regicide

08/03/2023

238

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

View

Discovery and Aftermath

The scene shifts dramatically when Macduff discovers Duncan's murder. The language becomes terse and fragmented, reflecting the horror of the moment.

Quote: "O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive, nor name thee."

Highlight: Macbeth's speech patterns change notably after the murder's discovery, becoming more controlled and calculated.

Definition: The Great Chain of Being - a hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to be divinely ordered in Shakespeare's time.

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

View

Consequences and Reactions

The final portion of the scene deals with the immediate aftermath of Duncan's murder, showing various characters' reactions and establishing future conflicts.

Quote: "Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time."

Highlight: Macbeth's apparent remorse for killing the guards represents his only moment of seeming loss of control in the scene.

Example: The description of natural disturbances (chimneys blown down, strange screams) reflects the disruption of natural order caused by regicide.

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

View

The Porter's Comic Interlude

The opening of Act 2 Scene 3 introduces the Porter scene significance in Macbeth through dark comedy. The Porter imagines himself as the gatekeeper of Hell, creating a moment of levity before the horror to come.

Quote: "If a man were porter of hell-gate he should have old turning the key."

Highlight: The Porter's jokes about various sinners (farmer, equivocator, tailor) provide symbolic commentary on the play's themes of deception and damnation.

Example: The Porter references contemporary events like the Gunpowder Plot through his mention of equivocators.

Vocabulary: Equivocator - someone who speaks ambiguously to avoid telling the truth.

Similar content

Know Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 thumbnail

17

843

11

Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3

Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches - Act 1 Scene 3 notes

Know Romeo and Juliet Act 1-5 Key quotes thumbnail

22

1109

10/11

Romeo and Juliet Act 1-5 Key quotes

Quotes from Acts 1 to 5 on a variety of characters relating to many different themes.

Know macbeth plot overview thumbnail

6

81

11

macbeth plot overview

with character key so easier to follow

Know Macbeth Act 1 analysis thumbnail

30

936

11

Macbeth Act 1 analysis

Every page of Act one in Macbeth, all pages have been analysed

Know Dr Lanyon summary- Jekyll and hyde revision thumbnail

23

708

10/11

Dr Lanyon summary- Jekyll and hyde revision

Dr lanyon revision

Know Context, characters and themes revision- macbeth thumbnail

3559

73332

11

Context, characters and themes revision- macbeth

quote for key characters, context of the play macbeth, analysis on themes with key quotes

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

15 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Sign up to see the content. It's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Subjects

/

English Literature

/

Poetry II

/

Poetry II

/

Identify and Explain the Function of an Allusion

Fun and Tricks in Macbeth: Why the Porter Scene Matters

user profile picture

Laura Palmer

@laurapalmer_dkmv

·

28 Followers

Follow

Analysis of comic relief in Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 presents a crucial turning point where dark comedy meets tragedy through the Porter's scene, followed by the discovery of Duncan's murder. The scene masterfully balances humor with mounting tension.

  • The Porter's monologue serves as both comic relief and symbolic commentary
  • Themes of truth and deception in Macbeth Act 2 Scene 3 emerge through the Porter's references to equivocators
  • The scene transitions from comedy to horror with Duncan's murder discovery
  • Language shifts dramatically from the Porter's crude humor to Macbeth's calculated responses
  • Natural omens and supernatural elements underscore the gravity of regicide

08/03/2023

238

 

11

 

English Literature

8

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

Discovery and Aftermath

The scene shifts dramatically when Macduff discovers Duncan's murder. The language becomes terse and fragmented, reflecting the horror of the moment.

Quote: "O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive, nor name thee."

Highlight: Macbeth's speech patterns change notably after the murder's discovery, becoming more controlled and calculated.

Definition: The Great Chain of Being - a hierarchical structure of all matter and life, believed to be divinely ordered in Shakespeare's time.

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

Consequences and Reactions

The final portion of the scene deals with the immediate aftermath of Duncan's murder, showing various characters' reactions and establishing future conflicts.

Quote: "Had I but died an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time."

Highlight: Macbeth's apparent remorse for killing the guards represents his only moment of seeming loss of control in the scene.

Example: The description of natural disturbances (chimneys blown down, strange screams) reflects the disruption of natural order caused by regicide.

-Described as comic relief Act 2 Scene 3 -Trying to release The entrance to Macbeth's castle tention he has built in other scenes Enter a PO

The Porter's Comic Interlude

The opening of Act 2 Scene 3 introduces the Porter scene significance in Macbeth through dark comedy. The Porter imagines himself as the gatekeeper of Hell, creating a moment of levity before the horror to come.

Quote: "If a man were porter of hell-gate he should have old turning the key."

Highlight: The Porter's jokes about various sinners (farmer, equivocator, tailor) provide symbolic commentary on the play's themes of deception and damnation.

Example: The Porter references contemporary events like the Gunpowder Plot through his mention of equivocators.

Vocabulary: Equivocator - someone who speaks ambiguously to avoid telling the truth.

Similar content

English Literature - Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3

Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches - Act 1 Scene 3 notes

17

843

1

Know Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 thumbnail

English Literature - Romeo and Juliet Act 1-5 Key quotes

Quotes from Acts 1 to 5 on a variety of characters relating to many different themes.

22

1109

0

Know Romeo and Juliet Act 1-5 Key quotes thumbnail

English Literature - macbeth plot overview

with character key so easier to follow

6

81

0

Know macbeth plot overview thumbnail

English Literature - Macbeth Act 1 analysis

Every page of Act one in Macbeth, all pages have been analysed

30

936

0

Know Macbeth Act 1 analysis thumbnail

English Literature - Dr Lanyon summary- Jekyll and hyde revision

Dr lanyon revision

23

708

0

Know Dr Lanyon summary- Jekyll and hyde revision thumbnail

English Literature - Context, characters and themes revision- macbeth

quote for key characters, context of the play macbeth, analysis on themes with key quotes

3559

73332

57

Know Context, characters and themes revision- macbeth thumbnail

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

15 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 12 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.