Macbeth Questions Act Two, scenes 3: Scene three introduces a brief moment of comic relief.

Scene three introduces a brief moment of comic relief. This is a technique used to relieve the tension that has been built up in the audience so that they are emotionally able to cope with the tension that is to follow. The Porter is a drunken peasant who jokes about a range of people well known to a Shakespearean audience who he believes will go hell for their pretentiousness. He also makes a number of sexual jokes.

Following the appearance of the Porter, the tension rises with the arrival of Macduff and the discovery of the murder.

• How does Macbeth justify his murder of the grooms?
• Why do you think Lady Macbeth faints at this point?
• How does Banquo respond to the murders?
• Why do Malcolm and Donalbain flee?