In measure for measure,the characters of Angelo and Isabella are similar.discuss
Angelo and Isabella are similar characters. Discuss In measure for measure there are two characters that at first glance seem to be from two different worlds but a closer analysis shows that they are actually very similar. This is the case with Angelo and Isabella. When we first meet Angelo we see a ruthless leader who enforces the law as severely as he can and Isabella is the complete opposite, she is a virtuous and chaste young woman who was ready to devote her life to God. Both Angelo and Isabella have strict moral views; they both exhibit pride and are guilty of self deception. In scene, when Isabella and Angelo first meet straight away we can distinguish the similarities between them. For example, Isabella uses the same language as Angelo and the two of them are able to finish each other's sentences indicating that they are on the same thinking level and that they are actually not that different as both knew what the other was intending on saying. Isabella like Angelo is denying her sexuality. Isabella uses religion as a repression of sexuality where as Angelo represses his sexuality by enforcing harsh rules in Vienna regarding fornification and does not allow himself to express any feelings openly. One could argue that both Angelo and Isabella are sexually frustrated. Isabella is a pure and chaste young woman who happens to be in a corrupted society and it could
What different views of the Duke are presented in acts 1-3?
What different views of the Duke are presented in acts 1-3? Written in the early 17th century, 'Measure for Measure' was one of the many plays that Shakespeare wrote to entertain his King, which at the time was James I. Shakespeare used this play to present his own views of the King, and his ideals of a King through his presentation of the Duke Vincentio. A more complex character than first believed, Shakespeare transforms the Duke throughout the play. As the Duke set out on a quest to not only escape the pressures of his role, but to learn from his experiences and find himself. The Duke is the first person to speak; this is one of Shakespeare's common techniques to indicate who he deems most important in the play. Even if it appears that the story evolves around the character of Angelo, under the surface it is evident that the Duke is the catalyst behind it all. At the start of the play we see that the Duke is a man with general morals, complimenting the people under him. This is Shakespeare showing us from the start that he wishes the Duke to be seen as a good man. In the first scene we learn that for the head of a city he does not enjoy being in the public eye, "I love the people, but do not like to stage me to their eyes". This quote also shows us that he is an honourable and caring Duke as he loves his people, but he doesn't have the confidence to assert his
Compare at least four poems from the ones you have studied where a strong dislike for another person is shown. Write about 'My Last Duchess' a poem from Duffy, one form Armitage and another from the pre 1914 poetry bank.
Compare at least four poems from the ones you have studied where a strong dislike for another person is shown. Write about 'My Last Duchess' a poem from Duffy, one form Armitage and another from the pre 1914 poetry bank. My Last Duchess was written by Robert Browning and published in 1842. It is based on a real person. Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara (1537-1597), married fourteen year-old Lucrezia de Medici in 1158 when he was twenty one. Three years later she was killed, possibly poisoned. The Duke then arranged to marry the daughter of the count of Tyrol. As was customary at the time, the marriage arrangements were arranged between the Duke and a go between. 'My Last Duchess' is a poem in which the appearance of the poem is different from the reality. When read 'My Last Duchess' appears to be a civilised conversation between the Duke and a Nobleman in which the topic of conversation is brought about by the Dukes decision to show the his very privileged guest a great masterpiece and to recount something of his previous wife. Beneath the surface, however, is a ruthless story of ruthless power and the Dukes disapproval of the natural and innocent behaviour of his naïve wife, who apparently does not know the value of his great name. The poem has a very abrupt beginning and appears to be one half of a conversation. Browning opens with the Duke explaining why he has named the
Look again at Act II, Scene IV which begins "When I would pray and think".. How does Shakespeare control our changing responses to Angelo throughout this scene?
Look again at Act II, Scene IV which begins "When I would pray and think".. How does Shakespeare control our changing responses to Angelo throughout this scene? At the beginning of this scene we see Angelo in a way we haven't seen him before. He is feeling very trapped by his exterior and wishes he could be a different type of person. This gives us the feeling of pity towards this usually harsh and cold man. Angelo is being very honest with himself in this soliloquy; and he realizes his thoughts for Isabella are of pure lust. This being the main reason as to why he can't pray, he can't stop thinking about Isabella. However, he desires her only for the things, which make her good, which is why his prayers are so very hollow: "...Heaven hath my empty words, Whilst my invention, hearing not my tongue, Anchors on Isabel..." This language mirrors the grossness of exactly what Angelo is considering doing. He becomes aware that he is actually a human being and that so very often his outer appearance belies what is inside him. Angelo is really beginning to understand exactly what Isabella said to him previously. The person he seems to be is not the person he is at all; he would love to get rid of this "idle plume", which is there just for vanity as its becoming a burden: "...I take pride, Could I with boot change for an idle plume..." During this soliloquy Angelo also
Measure for Measure: 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 Isabella?
"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 Isabella? What is your opinion of the way Shakespeare present Isabella in the play? Isabella's character blossoms in debate, on a number of occasions throughout the play she can be perceived as being excessively pious and too proud. This perception of Isabella is evidenced in the play when she puts her virginity and spiritual life ahead of her brother's life which hangs in the balance, this view is emphasised when she refuses Angelo's proposal to save Claudio's life. However it can also be argued that Isabella's actions and decisions can also support the view that Isabella is a symbol for chastity and virtue. Thus Isabella's character is a perfect example of body versus soul as her actions and decisions can be debated and argued thoroughly. Isabella can also be seen as a champion of mercy by the way she begs for Angelo's life in the final scene of the play. The view that Isabella is excessively pious is supported the instance we meet her character as she 'rather wishes a more strict restraint on the sisterhood'. This gives the audience the idea that Isabella believes the sisterhood is too lenient and she believes there should be more rules and restrictions. The use of 'wishes' is
How does Shakespeare show the theme of hypocrisy up to Act 4, Scene 3?
How does Shakespeare show the theme of hypocrisy up to Act 4, Scene 3? Three of the main characters in this play; Angelo, Isabella and the Duke, are seen as being hypocritical. This hypocrisy centres on the theme of pre-marital sex. This theme is started by Claudio having sex with his bride-to-be, Juliet. This was usually seen as acceptable behaviour, but as Angelo, who is strict, moralistic and unwavering in his decision-making, has been put in charge by the Duke, he is starting to run things his way. He is going to punish Claudio with death for having sex with, and impregnating, Juliet. The only way that Claudio can be saved from death is if Isabella, his sister, has sex with Angelo. By attempting to bribe Isabella into fornication, Angelo is committing the same 'crime', if not a worse one, than Claudio. Which had you rather... As she that he hath stained? (Angelo, II.4, 51-55) Isabella argues to Angelo that many have committed the same offence, but have not been punished for it, to which Angelo replies; These many had not dared to do that evil... Had answered for his deed (Angelo, 11.2, 91-93) With this quote Angelo is contradicting himself, as he claims to believe that if the first one who had committed this offence had been punished, and then no others would have done the same. But Angelo is hoping to have sex with Isabella, out of wed-lock and only as a bribe to
Measure for Measure-A Problem Play?
Discuss the reasons why Measure for Measure might be termed 'a problem play'. The play does not fit comfortably into any other genre, such as tragedy or comedy although some aspects can be, and will originally have been, interpreted comically. Measure for Measure could therefore be seen to reflect everyday life more so than any other of Shakespeare's plays; that is a situation made up of many moral complications, dilemmas and light moments. In this sense the term 'problem' is perfectly suited to the play as it does not single out one issue and explore it in a typical dramatic fashion, instead it acknowledges the many areas and problems within life and shows how difficult life can be when one has to deal with many issues at once. The problem of defining Measure for Measure at the time it was first performed also seems to introduce the idea that Shakespeare wanted to produce a play with more than one message or plot running through it; he may not have wanted it tied down to a certain genre. The new genre of a 'problem play' allows individual productions a great deal of flexibility in the way each character is presented making the play ideal for society at the time of each production. It is not clear who, if anyone, Shakespeare intends to be seen as the villain or hero of the play; it seems more an issue of individual interpretation, which could be showing Shakespeare's views
Analysis of Act 1 Scene 1 of Measure for Measure.
Analysis of Act 1 Scene 1 of Measure for Measure By Catherine Ezekpo Act 1 Scene 1 at its most basic interpretation is encircling the thoughts and actions of three characters; the Duke, Escalus and Angelo. The reader observes the Duke of Vienna telling Escalus, an his advisor, that he is leaving the city and would like to leave Angelo in his place. Escalus agrees with the Duke's choice and Angelo is summoned. Angelo appears surprised and slightly reluctant of the Dukes offer but accepts it readily. However if the reader decides to prove deeper inside the scene, it becomes clear that the seemingly simple interpretation above conceals a more complex scenarios. Firstly the scene is set the city of Vienna in approximately 1604, the reader is made aware it is Vienna when Escalus states, 'if any in Vienna...'The reader is left to wonder whether the play is set in Vienna because of it beautiful historic acitchecture or it dazzling surrounding. Or if perhaps there is a more fundamental reason such as the plays context, whether for instance the themes running rife throughout the play are so diverse and unconventional for its time, that Shakespeare feared situating it in more familiar surroundings such as England. These imminent revelations help to captivate and develop the curiosity of the reader. The language used in measure of measure is Elizabethan, formal and conventional of
Paying close attention to the language, tone and action of the passage, show how it contributes to your understanding of Isabella and Claudio's relationship
Mikhail Rodricks 3 Stevens A2 English "Paying close attention to the language, tone and action of the passage, show how it contributes to your understanding of Isabella and Claudio's relationship." In William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure", the characters, and the manner in which they interact, play a critical part of the overall tone and atmosphere of the plot. One of the character's most important functions is to provide action in the scene, and insight into the various relationships that appear throughout the play, this is evident in the exchange we witness between Isabella and Claudio in Act Three, Scene one. Both characters are of considerable significance within the play, so it is interesting to note how their actions will shape the remainder of the plot. Shortly before the beginning of Act three's drama, we see Isabella confronted by Angelo, where he proposes the question, "which had you rather, that the most just law now took your brothers life, or to redeem him give up your body to such sweet uncleanness as she that he hath stained?" Isabella had been literally placed in a life - death situation here, for if she were to give in to Angelo she would lose her integrity, and essentially her soul, but were she to defy him, her brother would be beheaded the next day. Isabella, as we have witnessed in past scenes, holds strong morals, and she indeed refuses to
Explain how Baz Lurhmann uses film language to make the audience respond to this scene in a particular way.
Explain how Baz Lurhmann uses film language to make the audience respond to this scene in a particular way. Moulin Rouge tells the story of Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young writer in Paris who begins a doomed romance with the city's most famous courtesan, Satine (Nicole Kidman). Satine is the star of the eponymous nightspot, whose future depends on her marrying a wealthy patron (Richard Roxburgh) the duke. In a plot twist borrowed from "La Bohème" (which Baz Luhrmann (director) filmed for Australian television in 1993), she is also suffering from tuberculosis. Although it takes place in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century (1900) it uses dance and music from the contemporary pop culture. Some elements of film language that is used in the scene that I will be looking at are special effects, music and sound and many more. When I first saw the scene I was indulged by the use of red and gold in santine room where the whole scene was based, the use of these colours made it portray a romantic scene ahead along with the romantic pose that Satine and Christian began the scene with, which shows Christian leaning over Santine in a clinch, but this scene was completely the opposite and it was a scene of comedy, tension and bizarre actions. The scene that I have looked at was based in Santines room in the house of Moulin Rouge, the sets main colours of the room where