Monologue

Porter Monologue from Macbeth

From Macbeth by William Shakespeare

male · comedic · 1:41 min

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Here’s a knocking indeed! If a man were porter of hell gate, he should have old turning the key. (Knocking.) Knock, knock, knock. Who’s there, i’ th’ name of Belzebub? 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.) Knock, knock! Who’s there, i’ th’ 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.) 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.) 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 th’ everlasting bonfire. (Knocking.) Anon, anon! I pray you, remember the porter. (Opens the gate.) Enter Macduff and Lennox.

About this piece

The Porter humorously imagines himself as the gatekeeper of hell, engaging in witty banter as he prepares to let in various characters, reflecting on the absurdity of their fates.

40s · comedic · death · identity · power · madness

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