Characters (Measure for Measure)

This section explores the characters in Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. The characters in Measure for Measure embody the play’s central tensions between justice, mercy, power, and morality. Through figures like the Duke, Angelo, and Isabella, Shakespeare explores the complexity of human nature, the abuse of authority, and the consequences of strict moral enforcement in a flawed world.

Duke Vincentio

Role: The Duke is the central authority figure in the play. He disguises himself as a friar to observe the actions of his deputy, Angelo, and the workings of his city, Vienna.

Duke Vincentio’s Character Traits: The Duke is a complex character, combining wisdom and manipulation. He has a deep concern for justice but appears reluctant to enforce it himself, which leads to him delegating his power to Angelo. He values mercy over strict justice, which is evident in his desire to spare Claudio and test Angelo’s moral fibre.

Motivations: The Duke’s decision to temporarily leave Vienna and observe undercover may reflect his desire to see if Angelo is capable of ruling strictly, as he himself struggles with balancing leniency and law enforcement. His actions raise questions about his sense of responsibility and the extent of his care for his people.

Key Themes: The Duke’s character explores themes of authority, justice, and mercy. His manipulation of events behind the scenes draws attention to the nature of power and governance. He can also be seen as embodying the concept of divine providence, controlling outcomes for a higher good.

Ambiguity: The Duke’s marriage proposal to Isabella at the end of the play is left unanswered, and his intentions are somewhat unclear, adding to the ambiguous tone of the play’s resolution.

Angelo

Role: Angelo is appointed by the Duke as his temporary deputy and is tasked with restoring law and order in Vienna. His strict enforcement of laws, especially those concerning sexual morality, becomes central to the plot.

Angelo’s Character Traits: Initially, Angelo is portrayed as a puritanical, rigid enforcer of justice, who prides himself on his self-control and moral integrity. However, his character quickly reveals hypocrisy when he develops lustful desires for Isabella and attempts to abuse his power.

Motivations: Angelo’s moral downfall suggests that his rigid adherence to the law hides deeper weaknesses and desires. His lust for Isabella exposes the fragility of his supposed virtue, showing how power can corrupt even those who seem the most self-righteous.

Key Themes: Angelo embodies the tension between justice and mercy, as well as the theme of hypocrisy. His character highlights the dangers of moral absolutism and the abuse of authority.

Downfall: Angelo’s downfall is significant in revealing the human capacity for error, even in those who consider themselves morally superior. His harshness towards Claudio, contrasted with his own failings, showcases the double standards of those in power.

Isabella

Role: Isabella is Claudio’s sister, a novice about to take her vows in a convent. She becomes central to the plot when Angelo demands that she surrender her virginity to him in exchange for Claudio’s life.

Isabella’s Character Traits: Isabella is portrayed as a figure of moral virtue and integrity. Her dedication to chastity and her religious calling are central to her identity, and she faces a profound moral dilemma when Angelo’s proposition threatens her principles.

Motivations: Isabella’s refusal to compromise her virtue, even for her brother’s life, illustrates her deep commitment to her faith and moral code. She values her chastity not only as a personal virtue but as something tied to her religious identity.

Key Themes: Isabella’s character explores themes of virtue, morality, and the position of women in society. Her struggle represents the conflict between personal integrity and familial duty. The play also raises questions about the extent to which she should be expected to sacrifice her body for a male relative, reflecting the gender dynamics of the time.

Ambiguity: At the play’s conclusion, the Duke proposes marriage to Isabella, but her response is left ambiguous. This unresolved ending has sparked debate about Isabella’s agency and whether she has been manipulated by the Duke.

Claudio

Role: Claudio is a young man sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet, out of wedlock. His situation drives the central conflict of the play, as his fate becomes entangled in Isabella’s moral dilemma.

Claudio’s Character Traits: Claudio is portrayed as a sympathetic figure, victimised by Angelo’s harsh enforcement of the law. While guilty of breaking the moral codes of the time, he is in love with Juliet and intends to marry her, which makes his punishment seem disproportionate.

Motivations: Claudio is driven by his desire to live, and at one point, he expresses a willingness to have Isabella sacrifice her chastity to save him, showing his fear of death and human frailty.

Key Themes: Claudio’s character highlights the theme of justice versus mercy, and the severity of law in contrast to human fallibility. His relationship with Juliet also explores the social consequences of premarital sex in a highly moralistic society.

Lucio

Role: Lucio is a bawdy, cynical character who serves as comic relief but also plays an important role in pushing the plot forward. He provides information to Isabella about Claudio’s fate and interacts frequently with the disguised Duke.

Lucio’s Character Traits: Lucio is witty, irreverent, and often inappropriate, making jokes about sexual matters and criticising authority figures, including the Duke. He acts as a foil to the more serious characters in the play, particularly Isabella and Angelo.

Motivations: Lucio’s main motivation seems to be self-interest and pleasure. However, his interactions with Isabella and the Duke highlight his capacity for compassion, even though he is morally flawed.

Key Themes: Lucio represents the subversive voice in the play, challenging the hypocrisy of authority and the extremes of moral judgement. His character also underscores the theme of appearance versus reality, as his irreverence contrasts with the darker, more serious corruption in Angelo.

Escalus

Role: Escalus is a wise, older statesman who serves as a voice of reason and moderation throughout the play. He works closely with Angelo and later with the Duke.

Escalus’ Character Traits: Escalus is fair-minded and gentle, advocating for mercy where Angelo demands strict justice. He respects the law but also understands the importance of compassion.

Motivations: Escalus is motivated by a desire to maintain order and justice in Vienna without resorting to the extremes that Angelo favours. He believes in the need for balance between justice and mercy.

Key Themes: Escalus represents the play’s moral centre, embodying moderation and wisdom in governance. His character highlights the theme of temperance in the exercise of power.

Mariana

Role: Mariana is Angelo’s former fiancée, whom he abandoned when her dowry was lost. She plays a crucial role in the plot when she substitutes for Isabella in the bed trick.

Mariana’s Character Traits: Mariana is portrayed as loyal and loving, despite Angelo’s cruelty towards her. She still loves him and willingly participates in the Duke’s plan to save Isabella and expose Angelo’s hypocrisy.

Motivations: Mariana’s motivations stem from her love for Angelo and her desire for justice and restoration of her engagement. Her willingness to help Isabella shows her sense of loyalty and sacrifice.

Key Themes: Mariana’s character explores themes of love, sacrifice, and justice. Her involvement in the bed trick raises questions about gender and the role of women in negotiating their own relationships in a patriarchal society.

Mistress Overdone and Pompey

Roles: Mistress Overdone is a brothel-keeper, and Pompey is her assistant. Both characters serve as comic relief but also provide a glimpse into the underworld of Vienna.

Character Traits: They are humorous, witty, and embody the play’s exploration of vice and morality. Despite their professions, they are portrayed with a certain level of humanity, providing a contrast to the rigid morality of characters like Angelo.

Key Themes: These characters illustrate the theme of sexual corruption and vice, but they also critique the severity of laws imposed on the lower classes by figures of authority. Their presence highlights the social disparities and hypocrisies within the play.