Measure by Measure

October 2024

Reading as part of the Fall 2024 Shakespeare course — see general notes for more.

Contents

The Play Itself, and Its Characters

The officials

Duke, AKA Friar. The ruler of Vienna, who, along with Escalus, has been somewhat lax in enforcing laws, particularly those regarding vice.
Escalus. A judge, well known to the Duke.
Provost. The jailer — well known to Escalus, and perhaps the Duke.
Antonio. A noble of Vienna, trusted by the Duke, thought to be very virtuous and upright.
Friar Thomas. The Duke’s friend and confident in the church.

Later:

Elbow. A constable prone to mis-speaking

Act 1.1: Setup: Angelo to become regent

1.1. Duke to depart, and leaves Angelo as his regent., Duke describes his plan to Escalus, who agrees that Angelo is the best choice. Angelo initially demurs, and wishes there be some test of his character; the Duke refuses and so Angelo takes on the commission.

The Miscreants, 1

Lucio. A wealthy, disipated noble. Friend to Claudio, patron of various brothels.
Bawd. Mistress of one or more brothels.
Pompey. The Bawd’s Clown. Possibly a Manager/Pimp for her brothels.
Claudio. Brother of Isabella, friend Lucio, fiancé of Juliet who has gotten her preganant before they are fully wedded.
Juliet. France of Claudio, pregnant too early.

Later:

Froth. A customer of Pompey and the Bawd… a John. Perhaps a tapster.

Act 1.*: Angelo ‘rules;’ Duke disguised; Isabella recruited

1.2. Angelo rules. Angelo has ordered the brothels torn down, and Claudio to be arrested and executed. Claudio, arrested and brought in, laments what he has done (1.2.123-127: “. “Our natures do pursue, / Like rats that raven down their proper bane,
/ A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.“), and begs his friend Lucio to find his sister Isabela who is entering the cloister, and beg her to intercede for him. Claudio,
1.3. Duke disguised. The Duke tells Friar Thomas that he has deceived Angelo, and rather than traveling is going to stay an observe how Angelo applies justice. The Duke expresses regret that the has been so lax in ruling over his people (1.3.28-32: “For terror, not to use—in time the rod / More mocked than feared – so our decrees, / Dead to infliction, to themselves are dead, / And liberty plucks justice by the nose, / The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart / Goes all decorum.”), but feels it would be wrong for him suddenly to apply the law strictly (“1.3.38-41: “Sith ’twas my fault to give the people scope / ‘Twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them“). He is going to stay in town, and asks Friar Thomas to give him a robe and instruct him how to behave.
1.4. Isabella recruited. Lucio visits Isabella in the convent and asks her to help. She is reluctant, but he persuades her. (Lucio. 1.4.85-87: “Our doubts are traitors / And makes us lose the good we oft might win / By fearing to attempt.“)

Act 2: Escalus advises mercy; Elbow arrives and Escaulus shows Mercy; Isabella pleads; Juliet is distraught; Angelo tries to extort Isabella

2.1. first part Escalus proposes that they be merciful towards Claudio. Angelo and Claudio debate the nature of justice and mercy; Angelo is not convinced to spare Claudio. Escalus is disappointed. (Escalus, 2.1.41-42: “Well heaven forgive him and forgive us all / Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.”)
2.1. second part, Elbow — “I do lean upon justice” – the constable arrives, bringing in Froth and Pompey. He often says the opposite of what he means, just as Bottom did in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Elbow presents Froth and Pompey to Angelo, and describes their crimes, and the Pompey goes on and on and Angelo decides to leave it to Escalus, hoping they’ll be whipped. Escalus proceeds with the interview, and it concludes with him letting them both go with warnings. This scene has much ‘lower-class’ wordplay that is difficult to follow.
2.2. Isabella’s plea. The provost speaks to Angelo, hoping for a reprieve for Claudio. Angelo angrily refuses. Next Isabella arrives, and argues for sparing Claudio: condemn the sin but not the sinner… and later, how would Angelo fare if Christ acted like him when doling out judgement: 135-137: “Oh, it is excellent / to have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous /to use it like a giant.” Lucio coaches Isabella to behave in a more beseaching manner. But Angelo does not change his course, though at the end he appears to be willing to think about it, and tells her to return tomorrow. Isabella says she will bribe him, but not with gold or other valuables, but with “true prayers… from preserved souls.”
2.3. The Duke arrives at prison disguised as Friar. Talks to Juliet, consuling her; Juliet learns that Claudio is to die tomorrow, and is overcome with horror.
2.4. Angelo is tempted and tries to extort Isabella by telling her that he will free Claudio if she sleeps with him. At first she believes he is testing her; but finally he convinces her he is serious, and she refuses, believing Claudio would rather she preserve her honor: Lawful mercy is no kin to foul redemption.

Act 3: xxx

xxx, xxx
xxx. xxx
xxx, xxx

XXXX

xxx, xxx
xxx. xxx
xxx, xxx

XXXX

xxx, xxx
xxx. xxx
xxx, xxx

XXXX

xxx, xxx
xxx. xxx
xxx, xxx

Quotes I Like

Claudio, 1.2.123-127
“As surfeit is the father of much fast,
So every scope by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,
Like rats that raven down their proper bane,
A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die.“

Lucio. 1.4.85-87:
Our doubts are traitors
And makes us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.

Escalus, 2.1.41-42:
Well heaven forgive him and forgive us all
Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall.

Isabella, 2.2.135-137:
Oh, it is excellent
to have a giant’s strength, but it is tyrannous
to use it like a giant.