Measure For Measure - Character List.

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Measure For Measure Character List:

Vincentio, The Duke: The ruler of Vienna, he decides at the beginning of the play to pretend to leave town, and pass his power along to Angelo, a man who is very strict. The Duke stays in Vienna, disguised as a friar, to observe the goings-on. He is a man who knows that human nature is weak and can be corrupted, and accepts this to some extent. He knows that being a ruler requires that a person be fair and not punish people for their faults when they are faults that the ruler has too.

Angelo: The Duke's deputy, he comes to power suddenly and unexpectedly when the Duke leaves Vienna in his power. It seems to be some kind of test for the cold, seemingly perfect Angelo, who soon discovers that he too is capable of being tempted, and of falling to this temptation. Although he is aware that he should resist sin, he gives in with abandon.

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Escalus: Another in government service to the Duke. Escalus pledges to uphold the law and support whomever leads Vienna, though he disagrees with Angelo's punishment of Claudio especially. He is a generally good man who seeks to support the state, while at the same time ensuring that the state acts fairly.

Claudio: A young gentleman who gets into trouble when he gets his fiancée, Juliet, pregnant before their wedding. Angelo imprisons him and sentences him to death; no one agrees that this is a just punishment for a very common crime in Vienna, and many seek to persuade Angelo to show ...

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