Measure for Measure · Chapter
Scene I explained
The Duke returns to Vienna in his own guise and presides over a public hearing.
What happens
The Duke returns to Vienna in his own guise and presides over a public hearing. Isabella accuses Angelo of hypocrisy, adultery, and murder, but the Duke feigns disbelief. Mariana then reveals herself and confirms that she slept with Angelo in Isabella's place, holding a pre-contract of marriage. Angelo confesses to knowing Mariana but denies the recent encounter. The Duke pretends to leave, appointing Escalus and Angelo to investigate, while secretly planning to reveal all.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Mercy
Isabella's cry for 'justice, justice, justice, justice!' contrasts with the Duke's eventual pardons and the forced marriage of Lucio, highlighting the tension between strict justice and merciful resolution.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
Angelo's public persona of gravity and justice is exposed as a mask for his hypocrisy and lust, while the Duke's disguise as a friar underscores the theme of deceptive appearances.
Deception and Manipulation
The Duke orchestrates the entire scene, manipulating events and characters to reveal the truth, while Mariana's bed-trick is a form of deception to expose Angelo's guilt.
Characters to notice
- Duke Vincentio
Returns to Vienna in his own guise, presides over the public hearing, feigns disbelief at Isabella's accusations, and orchestrates the revelation of Angelo's guilt.
- Isabella
Publicly accuses Angelo of being a murderer, hypocrite, and virgin-violator, pleading for justice before the Duke.
- Mariana
Veiled at first, she reveals her face and confirms the bed-trick, stating she slept with Angelo as his wife by pre-contract.
- Lord Angelo
Denies Mariana's claims, confesses to a broken contract five years ago, and demands justice against the 'slanderers.'
- Lucio
Interrupts the proceedings with crude remarks, is silenced by the Duke, and later forced to marry Mistress Kate Keepdown.
- Escalus
Appointed by the Duke to sit with Angelo and investigate the accusations against the friar.
- Friar Peter
Accompanies Isabella and Mariana, instructs Isabella to kneel and speak, and later suggests sending for Friar Lodowick.
- Provost
Sent by the Duke to fetch Friar Lodowick, and later thanked for his care and secrecy.
Key passages
“Justice, O royal duke! Vail your regard Upon a wrong’d, I would fain have said, a maid!”
Justice, O royal duke! Look upon a wronged woman—I almost said a maid!
Isabella's plea for justice, emphasizing her chastity and the wrong done to her.
“That Angelo’s forsworn; is it not strange? That Angelo’s a murderer; is’t not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, An hypocrite, a virgin-violator; Is it not strange and strange?”
Angelo is a perjurer, a murderer, an adulterous thief, a hypocrite, and a violator of virgins—isn't that strange?
Isabella's dramatic accusation, listing Angelo's crimes to shock the court.
“I am affianced this man’s wife as strongly As words could make up vows: and, my good lord, But Tuesday night last gone in’s garden-house He knew me as a wife.”
I am betrothed to this man as firmly as vows can bind, and just last Tuesday night in his garden-house he knew me as his wife.
Mariana's testimony confirming the bed-trick and her pre-contract with Angelo.
“Upon mine honour, thou shalt marry her. Thy slanders I forgive; and therewithal Remit thy other forfeits.”
On my honor, you will marry her. I forgive your slanders and also remit your other penalties.
The Duke's judgment on Lucio, forcing him to marry Mistress Kate Keepdown as punishment for his slanders.
