What do you find interesting in the presentation of Isabella?

Authors Avatar

What do you find interesting in the presentation of Isabella?

        

In Shakespeare’s 'Measure for Measure', Isabella is a most complex character. Her nature showing often conflicting sides during different parts of the play. This ambiguity of her true character means Shakespeare can constantly keep his audience on edge, never truly defining Isabella as either good or bad, tying in with the genre as a whole, as a problem play. Isabella’s character clearly reflects the complexity and diversity of 'Measure for Measure' whilst also being an important tool for Shakespeare, in allowing him to balance out parts of the play.

Shakespeare first introduces Isabella in Act 1 scene 4. Here Shakespeare focuses on her religious qualities, on her absolute nature. Her piety is emphasised through her conversation with Francisca ‘rather wishing a more strict restraint upon sisterhood, the votarists of St Clare.’ Here Shakespeare is focusing the portrayal of Isabella on here strict religious principles, balancing the scene perhaps in that the audience have previously been told of all the immorality of Vienna. Even from this early stage in the play Isabella’s character can already be interpreted and accepted by the audience in more than one way. Firstly her absolute nature may appeal to the audience and be seen as an admirable characteristic. However it may also be taken to the other extent, seen as repulsive and cause the audience to turn against her character. This conflict in character can be seen throughout 'Measure for Measure' and has been open to much contrasting criticism over the past.

Many have argued that Shakespeare intends Isabella to be portrayed as a virtuous heroine. Mrs Jameson, author Characteristics of Shakespeare's Women in1832, comments

‘Upon what ground can we read the play from beginning to end, and doubt the angel-purity of Isabella, or contemplate her possible lapse from virtue’.

This view is supported perhaps on the grounds that even over her brother’s life Isabella is determined to remain virtuous. Others however feel Isabella’s true character is that of complete harshness, with lack of emotion and no real concern for religion. Ellis-Fermos states, ‘a nunnery contains no cure for Isabella’s malady and we have a shrewd suspicion that she will not end there.’

From both points of view it is interesting to see similarities appearing between Isabella and Angelo in their absolutist views, on religion and justice or in their detached almost inhumane natures of never compromising their morals. Also both characters can be seen to take falls. Angelo is willing to allow Claudio to go free in exchange of Isabella sleeping with him, the very crime Claudio is on trial for in the first place, sacrificing his ideology on upholding the law at all costs. In parallel to this Isabella compromises her values in readily agreeing to the Duke’s proposal that Mariana goes to Angelo in her place. Having refused to give up her chastity in order to save her brother’s life, as it would prevent her an eternal life in heaven, too greater price for Claudio’s mortal life, she says

‘Better it were a brother died at once

That a sister by redeeming him,

Should die forever.’

However she is willing to condemn Mariana to such a fate. Such similarities between the two characters question Isabella’s accountability to be classed as a heroine. She appears a martyr in that she is willing to give up her body to chastity and yet not to save Claudio. Yet her principles set on high personal morality, mean Shakespeare often portrays her as most hypocritical, as upholding her values is often at the expense of others. Therefore if Isabella is to be classed as a heroine, Shakespeare has created a most unconventional one, making it most hard for the audience to sympathise and relate to the character.

 Shakespeare portrays Isabella as a strong orator in Act 2 scene 2. This is interesting, as previously we have learnt that nuns of the time were prohibited from speaking to men. However in this scene we see Isabella’s language as the source of drama, in the conversation between her and Angelo. Shakespeare’s choice of language creates a most powerful case for fighting back against Angelo’s judgement.

‘So you must be the first that gives this sentence,

And he, that suffers. O, ’tis excellent

To have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous

To use it like a giant’

The whole scene is in verse and Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter, creates a flow, and expectation of the audience for a creative reply or counter argument from Isabella and Angelo with the two characters often completing each others lines.

‘Isabella:

And mercy then will breathe within your lips,

like man new made.’

Angelo:

                               Be you content, fair maid,

It is the law, not I, condemns your brother;’

Shakespeare uses Isabella’s careful interpretation of certain words to further defend her position. Angelo’s term of earthly justice, ‘is a forfeit of the law’ for example is used to turn the argument around by stating that ‘all the souls that were were forfeit once’, implying that sinfulness is no grounds upon which to judge others, as it is a common trait of humanity as a race.

Throughout the scene Shakespeare has the audience routing for Isabella, her being Claudio’s only hope. It seems that through her oratory skills Isabella seems to be able to win over the audience for a time, convincing them to trust her by her evocative speech, Shakespeare manages to expel their doubts for a while, as her character is used to try and prevail over the evil of injustice.

At other points in the play however Shakespeare uses Isabella’s character indirectly to add comic aspects to scenes. Through her innocence Shakespeare manages to create dramatic irony. One example of this is during her conversations with Angelo. Shakespeare portrays Isabella as completely naïve as to his plans for her to give up her chastity to save her brother’s life, yet he cleverly works Isabella’s replies and comments so as they may be seen as leading Angelo on. Shakespeare’s use of language can be seen to reveal an intense desire of Isabella to  

Join now!

‘strip myself to death as to a bed

 That long I have been sick for’.

 With the audience already informed of Angelo’s intentions, some for of relief or perhaps tension depending on whether the audience have chosen to sympathise with her character, is created.

It seems that Isabella’s religious nature is often lost in the play or certainly not highlighted as much as may be expected, considering at the start of 'Measure for Measure' she is about to become a nun. In modern productions this is often more prominent, yet it must be remembered that during Shakespeare’s time religion ...

This is a preview of the whole essay