Measure For Measure Angelo Analysis

Social Justice and Power between Isabella and Angelo in Measure for Measure

William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure immediately begins with a radical shift in power and its effect on punishment. The Duke appoints Angelo to take his place while he is “away;” under the impression that Angelo is unwaveringly honorable and just. Yet, immediately Angelo’s first decision as temporary Duke is to publically and shamefully arrest Claudio, and sentence him to death for impregnating his lover out of wedlock. Isabella, Claudio’s sister, confronts Angelo about her brother’s sentence. Through Isabella and Angelo’s interaction, Shakespeare creates a myriad of questions and comments about power defined by law and by society.

Isabella is Claudio’s sister and a pious virgin on the cuff of becoming a nun. Above all else, Isabella holds her virtues and faith as the most important and vital of all aspects of life. At first, Angelo is thought to be, although politically more powerful, morally on par with Isabella’s standards. Continually Lord Angelo is described as being a man who does not lust, and is unwaveringly just.

… Lord Angelo is precise,

Stands at a guard with envy, scarce confess

That his blood flows, or that his appetite

Is more to bread than stone. Hence shall we see,

If power change purpose, what our seemers be.

(1.5.50-54)

It is made clear that Angelo perceived as and unsexual being; valuing justice and logic highly over any sort of pathos that greatly effect most people. He is seen by others, and to himself, as the faultless example of impartiality. Angelo equates that law with justice. Yet, even in this passage there is an underlying sense of foreshadowing to Angelo’s façade. The Duke, speaking both to the Friar and to the audienc...

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...y to equate herself with him. “Arrest” denotes to stop speaking, yet its connotation pars itself with the law (to arrest) and justice itself- it is not Isabella’s place to say these things. Therefore, Angelo is hastily puts her back into her place as deemed by society, by law, and by him.

By maintaining order of hierarchy as deemed just by law and society, Angelo unravels not only himself, but whole idea of law, to be hypocritical. Immediately following his “arrest” of Isabella’s words, he prompts her to act and be who she is- a woman, not only by the mode of speech, but by her sexuality.

If you be [a woman]-as you are well expressed

By all external warrants- show it now

By putting on the destined livery.

(2.4. 138-40)

The “destined livery” Angelo speaks of is “female clothing,” as in female sexuality- to swap the nun habit, her virtue, and levelling discourse.