How Does Shakespeare Present Mariana As A Foil In Measure For Measure

The literary device of a “foil” is commonly used in literature as a character used to show more of another character’s personality and morals. The Encyclopædia Britannica defines it as “a character who is presented as a contrast to a second character so as to point to or show to advantage some aspect of the second character”. In Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure the character Mariana appears to be put in the play as a foil to display the contrast between her, a common woman, and Isabella, a strict and moral nun. Rather than being used to highlight Isabella’s good qualities, her devotion to God and her convent, I will be arguing that Mariana’s presence in the play leads Isabella to betray her morals and strict nun lifestyle to suit her own

The dukes reaction to Pompey could be argued as internalized guilt for what he and Isabella are about to ask of Mariana, that they are essentially trading her sexual service in favor of the release of Isabella’s brother from prison. Mariana’s presence in the play has now caused Isabella to betray her moral standings and participate in sexual trafficking, all so that she can selfishly save her brother and her chastity, without thought clearly of the moral weight this has on

Mariana is simply that- an object- to Isabella and the duke, as she is a pawn in their game to fix everything and right the world of its wrongs. In the dukes plan, Mariana is to come in to replace Isabella in bed –“We shall advise this wronged maid to stead up your appointment, go in your place” (3.1.241-242)- and complete their plan to thwart Angelo. Mariana is the convenient person in the play that Isabella can use to save her chastity and her brother in one fell swoop. After explaining the plot to Isabella, and the duke asks her what she thinks of it, her response is “The image of it gives me content already, and I trust it will grow to a most prosperous perfection” (3.1.249-250). To Isabella, the image of trading her chastity for another woman’s makes her feel “content”, clearly showing that her fixed resolve on the idea of chastity has conveniently shifted to suit her own selfish needs thanks to Mariana being present as an object for her to manipulate. The duke then hastens her to tell Angelo that she has agreed to sleep with him, thus setting the bed-trick into motion, and Isabella says to the duke “I thank you for this comfort. Fare you well, good father” (3.1.257-258). And with this, her mind “comforted” by the thought of a