Question

read the passage from act 2, scene 3 of the tragedy of macbeth.
porter. 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.
why is the repeated use of antithesis in this passage appropriate?
○ it creates a comedic effect, which suits the porter, who is a comical character.
○ it creates a dramatic effect to set the tone for the revelation of duncans murder.
○ it illustrates a contrast between the lowly porter and the highborn macbeth.
○ it illustrates that servants and lords are all the same when it comes to drinking alcohol.

Explanation:

The porter's speech uses antithesis (contrasting pairs like "provokes, and unprovokes") to create dark comedy, which fits his role as a comedic, earthy character who provides brief, light relief amid the play's intense tragedy. The other options are incorrect: the passage precedes Duncan's murder reveal but its tone is comedic, not dramatic setup; it does not contrast the porter and Macbeth directly; nor does it equate servants and lords.

Answer:

A. It creates a comedic effect, which suits the porter, who is a comical character.