Earlier in the play it would have been hard to imagine Angelo speaking line 142 of act II scene iv. 'Plainly conceive, I love you.' It is entirely out of character for him to reveal such personal feelings and so it is important for the actor to show this to the audience as a key moment in the scene. A sudden movement or gesture towards Isabella would alert the audience of a new significant revelation. Angelo could firmly seize Isabella and fight off small struggles of discomfort from her as he speaks the line. I think this would work well for several reasons. It is an action that fits in well with his personality, his desire to be in control and to have power and use it over other people. By this point he would probably be quite frustrated, as Isabel has not understood his proposal to her despite his many attempts to hint. The actor could clearly show his exasperation by desperately grasping her and a loud but slow and slightly forceful tone of voice would show his distraught effort to get his intention through to her. This action could also show that perhaps Angelo does not love Isabella as he says he does because he shows no signs of care towards her. I would want the audience to see this to show that it is merely lust not love that Angelo feels. However, Angelo himself believes that it is love he feels so to show his sincerity the actor would look deep into Isabella's eyes following them as she looks or turns away.
It would be best if Isabella looked away as Angelo was speaking the last few words of line 142 but then turn back quickly speak her line assertively and with her remaining confidence because at this point she is either refusing to believe what she is hearing or it has still not sunken in. To show the feisty side to Isabella's personality, she could appear to muster her strengths after speaking her fervent reply and break free of Angelo's grip to face away from him and cross her arms slightly in defence.
To further demonstrate his intentions, Angelo faced by the back of Isabella would move closer to her and whisper line 145, 'He shall not, Isabel, if you give me love.' over her shoulder while placing his hands on her waist, breathing deeply and closing his eyes as if fantasising about his request. These actions combined with Angelo's words would certainly startle Isabella; after all, she had wanted to become a nun in order to avoid men completely and now she is faced with harassment. The actress should remain frozen and in silence for a while to show that Isabella now understands what Angelo wants from her. For a television production the camera could take a close up of Isabella's face to show her eyes darting from side to side and growing bigger as she realises. The next few of her lines should be spoken nervously as she is now unsure how to react to Angelo after his shocking revelation.
Isabella has lost her confidence and strength in herself and should perhaps retreat into a chair as if for protection from Angelo. He, however, should appear to be much calmer now as it is clear that however much Isabella protests Angelo is the one with the power and will leave the scene more triumphant. By sitting Isabella in a chair his power over her is shown. She is lower than him onstage and he appears to be towering over her giving the audience the desired impression that he is the one in control of the situation.
Isabella's speech from line 150 to 155 should be spoken tensely but gain a little passion and fury towards the end to show her emotional side coming through. She could clutch the sides of the chair for support as she bravely fights back. To show to her expressing stronger emotion when she speaks of revealing Angelo's hypocrisy to the world, the actress should scowl and wave clenched fists. She wants to believe that she is in command, but as she is sat down looking uncomfortable and Angelo stands nonchalantly appearing uninterested in what she has to say, the audience can see that this is clearly not the case.
As Isabella speaks, the actor playing Angelo could be looking at the floor smiling to himself because he and the audience know that whatever Isabella said could not change things. To show that he is not worried or intimidated by her remarks the actor could lean against or half-sit on a table in front of Isabella's chair. He would not rush to reply to her threats but when he does he would reply mockingly, laughing to himself. 'Who will believe thee, Isabel?' Then, as he continues his last speech, he could lean closer to Isabella, looking down on her in a patronising way. Although, his speech becomes more and more expressive, boiling with anger. Here the audience should be able to see him returning to the aggressive Angelo they knew originally. To show his mounting aggression and the bullying he uses on Isabella, the actor could lean on the arms on her chair trapping her so it is impossible for her to move and glare at her as he speaks. The tempo of his voice would quicken and become louder until his last lines when he could slow down to make it clear that he has no more to say on the matter and exit the scene effectively by backing away slowly while maintaining his glare.
Left alone on stage Isabella agonisingly considers her predicament. She should speak quietly to herself, still alarmed by Angelo's words. To show this she should sit rigidly making few movements. Isabella could cross her arms or hug herself protectively for comfort. Although as she decides upon what to do the actress could show her reassuring herself by nodding and rising from her chair with newfound poise.
For a stage production of the play, this scene should be rehearsed well as it is very important to the plot. It reveals Angelo's true character showing him to be a degenerate hypocritical man. Isabella, however, is portrayed as a strong virtuous character. She holds firmly to her beliefs and principles and should be respected for her honesty and sincerity. The audience should be left anticipating her next scene to see how she copes with the impossible quandary.