Macbeth Porter ????!!!!?

Question:1.Does Porter in Macbeth suppose to overact from beginning to the end as the aim is for the comic and mocking somebody and make the audiences laugh ?

or 2. Is the role supposed to act as very natural that doesn't contain any overacting ?

or 3. Is the role supposed to act containing natural acting and overacting ?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: 1.Does Porter in Macbeth suppose to overact from beginning to the end as the aim is for the comic and mocking somebody and make the audiences laugh ?

or 2. Is the role supposed to act as very natural that doesn't contain any overacting ?

or 3. Is the role supposed to act containing natural acting and overacting ?

The role of Porter has a couple of facets, but in fact in some productions he is eliminated.

I would question what you mean by overacting - he can be directed to be a somewhat broad drunk - that's not necessarily overacting. Also, to underplay the role would defeat its purpose. He is definitely there for comic relief. He stands out in a drama for that reason and also because he's intoxicated.

We may feel sympathy for the Porter not only because he is a member of the working class, but also because it is his job--regardless of the state of his health or how much sleep he has had--to answer the door as well as perform any other duties assigned to him. One may also feel sorry for him because he is obviously inebriated and carries on in vulgarities regarding the effects of drink on his ability to perform his duties (double meanings are everywhere) which were common and expected of the lower classes. He is pretending to be the gatekeeper to Hell. Living in such a place where evil such as murder is so flippantly committed is enough to feel sympathy for any and all of the servants who must endure it.

The Porter plays his "gatekeeper" role well, and Shakespeare's audiences would have immediately recognized that he was portraying a part from the Medieval Morality Plays--the gatekeeper of hell who admits Christ to Limbo in the ancient legend of the "Harrowing of Hell".

It is clear that we are to see Macbeth's castle as Hell and that Macbeth has lost his soul. Even so, the Porter is much needed comic relief.