In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare forces questions to be asked about a wide range of issues, all of which are brought together throughout the play by one character: Lucio.
The dramatic impact of Lucio cannot be underestimated. Not only does he entertain, stimulate and provoke, but he also informs us of contextual issues relevant to both Jacobean and contemporary audiences. Provide a detailed analysis of how this is achieved in Act 1. In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare forces questions to be asked about a wide range of issues, all of which are brought together throughout the play by one character: Lucio. As the most vibrant and intriguing character in the play, Lucio moves between scenes and situations, and is apparently agreeable to all, regardless of status or social class. Despite the character only appearing in six scenes, and rarely speaking more than a few lines, Shakespeare utilises this tool to full advantage, employing Lucio as a device with which to illuminate the stage, whilst carrying the weight of Measure for Measure's contextual load, introducing it throughout Act 1 and maintaining and highlighting it throughout the play. We first meet Lucio in the second scene, whilst at his most typically jovial. After the whimsical musings of the Duke in the previous scene, dramatic impact is achieved instantly as the sharp, choppy retorts of Lucio and 'the two gentlemen' are exchanged on Bankside, a contextually relevant area of London infamous for its abundance of brothels and prostitution rings. Thus, everything about the scene is a stark
measure for measure
Question: "The fault of Isabella is that she is excessively pious and too proud." "Isabella is a symbol for virtue and chastity and a champion of mercy." How do you respond to these different views of the play? What is your opinion of the way Shakespeare presents Isabella? Isabella is certainly presented as a double-edged character by Shakespeare, as she does seem to embody virtue and chastity and with these qualities should come mercy. However due to her rather extreme nature, she can appear "excessively pious and too proud", and through this excessive focus on her own chastity, the audience feel this sometimes compromises her "mercy". Thus these two views of Isabella seem inextricably linked. Shakespeare first introduces Isabella as a symbol for virtue and chastity through Lucio's description of her as " enskied and sainted", and as he softens his sexual talk with words such as "blossoming" to describe the nature of Claudio and Juliet's crime by getting pregnant. This certainly suggests Isabella to be a figure of chastity and virtue, as Lucio attempts to preserve this untainted innocence, a stark contrast to his previous sexual banter: "I have purchased as many diseases under her roof". Thus it seems from our first meeting with Isabella, Shakespeare intends us to view her as chaste, perhaps in need of protection, in this virtuous setting of the nunnery. This
Refresh your memory of Act I Scene I & II: How effective are these two scenes as the beginning of the play? Consider in your answer plot, character, themes, language, imagery and contrast.
Refresh your memory of Act I Scene I & II: How effective are these two scenes as the beginning of the play? Consider in your answer plot, character, themes, language, imagery and contrast. J. Atkinson, 25-9-2001 At the beginning on Act I Scene I, the Duke of Vienna laments that his city is spoiled, and its people too indulgent. However, he must leave the city, and names Angelo to be his replacement while he is away. Escalus, one of the Duke's advisors, believes Angelo worthy of the task; the Duke also says he is confident of Angelo's abilities. Angelo is somewhat humbled to receive this commission from the Duke, but accepts it all the same; the Duke declares that he must be off immediately on his errand, and wishes Angelo luck in bringing lawfulness and discipline back to the citizens of the city. The Duke speaks with formal, somewhat legalistic language, exactly what we might expect of a ruling, noble figure. Note his use of the royal "we"; he calls the citizens of Vienna "our people," the city is "our city"; he seems quite confident in his use of these pronouns, meaning he is secure in his position. His diction is quite elegant in some places; he makes use of alliteration, stating that with his "special soul" he has chosen Angelo. The Duke also uses paradoxical terms that convey the duties of a ruler; he says he will lend Angelo both his "terror" and his "love" to rule
How does Shakespeare use representations of speech and other dramatic techniques to present the theme of power in the extract from "Measure for Measure"?
How does Shakespeare use representations of speech and other dramatic techniques to present the theme of power in the extract below? Shakespeare uses the theme of power throughout the play, Measure for Measure, in order to show a character's place in society or relationships between other people. This essay will explore how Shakespeare uses the theme of power in the extract to show Duke Vincentio's power from being Duke, his power over Angelo and Angelo's manipulation of power through structure, grammar, imagery, lexis and phonology. Duke Vincentio clearly has some sort of power due to his position of Duke, and this is evident throughout the play. As the Duke of Vienna, he should have an authority over most citizens in Vienna and this is shown in the extract. The first technique Shakespeare uses to display the dominance of the Duke is an iambic pentameter; an iambic pentameter is used throughout the first paragraph such as "There is a kind of character in thy life, that to the observer doth thy history...". The way Shakespeare utilizes the structural feature of iambic pentameter exhibits the Duke's status and power as iambic pentameter, in literature, is used to represent authority. Another way Shakespeare shows the Duke's authority is through the Duke's line "...old Escalus, though first in question, is thy secondary." This demonstrates that the Duke has the power to
How does Shakespeare interest his audience with both the moral debate and the action on stage in Measure for Measure?
How does Shakespeare interest his audience with both the moral debate and the action on stage in Measure for Measure? In his play Measure for Measure, Shakespeare chooses to explore many moral issues such as human weakness, sexual temptation and above all justice against mercy. However these moral debates are intrinsically linked to the action on stage portrayed by Shakespeare's characters. Therefore to say 'both' is not appropriate or relevant to the question. The word debate suggests a 'prolonged discussion' which may lead an audience to associate Measure for Measure with dull trials and legal language something that may not of been of huge interest to Shakespeare's contemporary working class audience. Yet Shakespeare is able to capture all the previously mentioned debates vibrantly and dramatically through the characters of Angelo and Isabella. The conflict between these two absolute values, the 'precise' and 'snow-broth' Angelo against the restrained novice Isabella open the debates not just of justice and mercy but also of the male-female relationships of Jacobean England. The contrast of Isabella's enlightened, elegant speeches on mercy "The marshals truncheon, nor the judges robe become them with one half so good a grace as mercy does" against Angel's dry, blunt and inflexible responses "He's sentenced tis too late" highlight the inhumanity of the justice system and
How effective is Act 1 Scene 1 as an opening scene for Measure for Measure?
How effective is Act 1 Scene 1 as an opening scene for Measure for Measure? The opening scene in a play is usually important in giving readers an initial impression of the entire play. I believe that act 1, scene 1 of Measure for Measure is effective as an opening scene to a large extent as it introduces some of the themes of the play and sets the stage for darker happenings. It also gives us the first impressions of the characters Duke Vincentio, Escalus and Angelo and acts as a precursor to other similar occurrences in later scenes. To be effective as an opening scene, the scene should have the key features, that is, the portrayal of the main characters, relationships and the main elements and themes of the plot. This is done through several different ways in the scene. Measure for Measure opens in a legalistic, austere tone as we see the Duke of Vienna and Escalus conversing. The Duke of Vienna is lamenting at the lavish, overindulgent and spoilt state of his city but mentions that he has to go away. He thus suggests for Angelo to take over his place during his absence and consults Escalus on his opinions about Angelo. He also mentions that by giving Angelo his position temporarily, Angelo would have to be "lent" their "terror and dressed" with "[their] love", a paradoxical sentence. This thus introduces us to the theme of mortality versus mercy, the knowledge to
Presentation of Escalus in Measure for Measure
Throughout Measure for Measure Escalus can be seen to have two contrasting roles in the play. Many see him as a superficial, unimportant character that plays no significant role in the play, but by others he is seen to be a crucial character that has a major impact on the main plot. This essay will discuss these two views in detail and how they develop and express different approaches to the play. Escalus' name means scales and the title of the play Measure Fore Measure suggests that it is a play of balance and judgement. Throughout the play Escalus in many ways is often seen as a byword of rational justice in the play; "Well, heaven forgive him, and forgive us all Some rise by virtue and some by virtue fall ..." P21) Here he physically displays his role of a balancer by using rhyme and equal sentences, being someone who does not go to extremes and who gives reason. Some may argue that he is the character whose personality and ways are at mid-point between the Duke and his easy going and lenient conduct and Angelo's severe and strict discipline. In a way he can be seen as a kind and gentle hearted man who will show mercy where needed. When Angelo shows his strict and "cold" view that "We should not make a scarecrow of the law", Escalus tries to give him advise to be more yielding and gentle with the people of Vienna; "Let us be keen and rather cut a little Then
An investigation into the death of the Duchess of Ferera
A case conference on renaissance noblemen 'my last Duchess' To: chief superintendent Chalmer From: Inspector Morse Date: November 19th 1572 Title: An investigation into the death of the Duchess of Ferera Terms of reference The Duchess of Ferera's death took place under very mysterious circumstances; this is why this case is being investigated. This report is to show the findings of the interview that we have had with the various people who may have been involved in her death or could help us with our enquires. The duchess of Ferera was found in the house that she shares with her husband the duke of Ferera, she was found strangled with the rope used still tied around her neck and was found by the duke himself. The coroner's report proves that she was strangled but no fingerprints were found on the rope. The main suspect is the duke of Ferera, or someone who he paid to kill her. Procedure After the Duchess' body was found first the coroner examined the body for any signs of a struggle and if any fingerprints were found on the body. Then we tried to find anybody who may have seen or heard anything, or anyone who would be able to help us with our enquires. The people who we decided to interview were the Duke of Ferera, the duke of Ferera's fiancé, Miss Smith, the count, the counts servant and Fra Pandolf as well as anyone else who could help us with our enquires. We
Isabella defines Angelo as an arch-villain(TM). To what extent do you agree with her that Angelo is the villain of the play?
Measure for Measure Isabella defines Angelo as an 'arch-villain'. To what extent do you agree with her that Angelo is the villain of the play? Though he displays many villainous traits and commits some seemingly irredeemable acts of cruelty, it would be unfair to judge Angelo outright as an 'arch villain' All of Shakespeare's plays contain at least one character who displays villainous characteristics. These vary greatly from the remorseless evil of Iago in Othello to the more comedic antagonists whose main role is act as a block against true romance. Angelo poses a problem as does not fit seamlessly into either group. The dictionary defines the term 'Villain' as a wicked person or evil person. Certain actions that Angelo undertakes certainly would lead some to regard him as that. The most obvious of these would be the seemingly cruel act of ordering Claudio's execution for the human act of impregnating his lover/wife Juliet. This from the outset is an extreme and unjust measure for a crime that even in Jacobean times would not warrant death. This highly puritanical approach to justice can easily be deemed as villainous especially to a more liberal thinking twenty-first century audience. However it is important to note that Angelo is only putting in place the law "it is the law who condemns your brother not I" and his severity only stems from the necessity to reinforce
Is Lucio seen as just a comedian in 'Measure for Measure'?
Danielle Hall Is Lucio seen as just a comedian in 'Measure for Measure'? Lucio's character is a mixture of many different traits. He is a go-between, a good friend, a heartless lecher, a comic, a liar, and a rebel to the end. He is a bridge between the world of the bawds and the world of the main characters like the duke, Angelo and Claudio. He is a true and loyal friend to Claudio and a loose friend to the bawds. He has a strong sexual interest in women. He is a comedian, and many of his jokes have sexual undertones. He lies and slanders the duke to his hidden disguise as a Friar; and then slandered the 'Friar' to the duke. Claudio, sentenced to death for fornication, is late to meet Lucio. Lucio jokes with two gentlemen about soldiers, prostitutes and venereal diseases: "Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation comes. I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to/judge." Once he hears Claudio had been arrested and condemned to death, Lucio stops joking and rushes off to "learn the truth of it". He isn't as devoted to his friend Pompey, who asks him for bail. Lucio refuses: "Well then, imprison him: if imprisonment be the due of a bawd". Lucio shows his loyalty to Claudio by getting Isabella to plead for mercy to Angelo: "Go to Lord Angelo and let him learn to know, when maidens sue men give like Gods". Lucio respectfully sees Isabella as a higher being: "I