Wexler treats the well-known 'Porter's soliloquy' in Macbeth as though it were a dream, protecting Macbeth's sleep. It occurs in the play after Macbeth's remorse for the murder of Duncan is scorned by Lady Macbeth. The lighthearted,

amiable, and nonsensical qualities of the soliloquy contrast with the insistence of the knocking and serve to protect the 'sleeper' from being awakened by the grim demands of his superego. The knocking itself is part of the dreamlike reassurance, since in reality fate does not give warning, or choice. The wish fulfilment of the dream is expressed by Macbeth in the scene just before the soliloquy when the knocking awakens Duncan. Wexler supports his interpretation by presenting the analysis of a patient's dream which corresponds to the 'Porter's soliloquy'.