Macbeth Group

Question:

hello97
hello97
Student
College - Freshman

According to the porter, how is drink an equivocator? (2.3.30) How does this relate to Macbeth's situation?

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Posted by hello97 on Monday April 20, 2009 at 2:54 PM.

Answers:

  1. mbomengen
    mrsmonica Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    Lechery, sir, it provokes, and unprovokes;
    it provokes the desire, but it 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; makes him stand to, and
    not stand to; in conclusion, equivocates him
    in a sleep, and, giving him the lie, leaves him.

    In the porter's view, drink is an equivocator because it both causes one to desire a situation and at the same time it hinders one's ability to function in that same situation. The porter uses lechery (sexual function) as a classic example.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/macbeth/other-characters-descriptions

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    Posted by mrsmonica on Monday April 13, 2009 at 8:41 PM