Why is the porter scene from Macbeth so famous?

Answer 1

We know that Duncan is dead and must soon be discovered. The comic interlude with the Porter delays that discovery. We want to know what will happen when the murder is discovered and the scene postpones that knowledge, creating suspense. Of course, the real reason for the scene is to give the actors playing the Macbeths a chance to change and clean up. Some of Shakespeare's most famous scenes are for just such practical purposes.

Answer 2

It is hilariously funny. Bear in mind that one member of Shakespeare's acting company was a clown who expected to be given a funny scene in every play, even a tragedy. So here it is.

It is a sign of Shakespeare's greatness that he writes this scene to happen just after the Macbeths have stabbed Duncan to death. Macduff and Lennox are knocking at the door, and the Porter, who is pissed to the gills, staggers to the door to let them in. As he does so, he imagines he is the Porter of Hell, and he is welcoming in a farmer that killed himself after over-borrowing, a professional perjuror, and a crooked tailor. Not so funny, you say? Just wait. He finally lets in the irate Lords, who have been knocking their knuckles off, and tells them that he has been drinking all night and that drink provokes three things. What three things? "Marry sir, nose-painting, sleep and urine. Lechery sir, it provokes and unprovokes: it provokes the desire but 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; it makes him stand to and not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him in a sleep, and giving him the lie, leaves him." It is recommended that the actor playing the porter make use of an arm, a finger, a sword or other similarly shaped object during this speech and alternate between holding it upright, stiff and erect, and letting it dangle limp and flaccid. He might want to simulate vomiting while saying "leaves him".

The scene concludes with the Porter comparing his engagement with the bottle to a Wrestling match: the drink was able to trip up his legs, but in the end the Porter was able to throw the liquor, or rather throw it up. He then staggers off to pass out or, in one production I saw, pee against the wall.

There it is: the Porter is a disgusting drunk who makes dirty jokes and talks about boozing, and the only reason it is famous it that it's funny and a brilliant example of comic relief.

Answer 3

No