The Porter, speaking in prose, humorously imagines himself to be the porter of the gates of Hell, reveling in sinners: 'If a man be a porter of hell-gate, he shall pay for his efforts by handing out the key'; his speech is like a stand-up comedy routine and adds a light-hearted opening to the scene in contrast to the topic he is discussing - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Question 1
The Porter, speaking in prose, humorously imagines himself to be the porter of the gates of Hell, reveling in sinners: 'If a man be a porter of hell-gate, he shall p... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The Porter, speaking in prose, humorously imagines himself to be the porter of the gates of Hell, reveling in sinners: 'If a man be a porter of hell-gate, he shall pay for his efforts by handing out the key'; his speech is like a stand-up comedy routine and adds a light-hearted opening to the scene in contrast to the topic he is discussing - Edexcel - GCSE English Literature - Question 1 - 2019 - Paper 1
Step 1
The Porter’s Role
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Answer
The Porter humorously imagines himself as the gatekeeper to Hell, highlighting the theme of sin and the light-heartedness of his speech amidst dark undertones.
Step 2
Sinners Described
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Answer
He introduces various types of sinners such as 'farmer' and 'English tailor', engaging the audience with relatable professions.
Step 3
Language and Tone
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Answer
The use of short, abrupt sentences and lexical field relating to death encapsulates the Porter’s frustration with disturbances, enhancing the comedic yet grim outlook.
Step 4
Interaction with Macduff and Lennox
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Answer
The Porter's acknowledgment of Macduff and Lennox while maintaining a lack of energy reflects the tension of the scene and emphasizes his darker reality.
