Shaken Baby Syndrome Persuasive Essay First Main Idea

Measure for Measure is currently studied in VCE English nether Surface area of Written report 1 - Text Response. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response.

INTRODUCTION‍

Ahh William Shakespeare. That guy. Yous're probably thinking, "Smashing. More fancy language. Hasn't he been dead for centuries? Why does he keep popping upwardly in our English curriculum?"

At least, that'southward how I reacted.

Shakespeare is actually a huge effigy in the history of the English language, and really no high schoolhouse English language curriculum is consummate without a mandatory dose of him. In fact, the electric current VCAA study design demands that i of his texts must be on the text list. What a legend.

Shakespeare doesn't but influence our world in the classroom. The Bard coined many words and phrases that nosotros employ today. Nosotros can thank this playwright for "exist -all, cease-all", "good riddance", and my personal favourite, "swagger".

The Bard's play "Measure for Measure" was start performed in 1604; over 400 years agone. So why do we all the same study his works today? In fact, the ideas and themes that are evoked in his plays are universal and timeless; pertinent to his gimmicky counterparts, besides as today's audience. Shakespeare'southward plays are like soup (bear with me, this is going somewhere). One could say the playwright is a principal chef; he mixes tales of the human condition and experience and asks us to question people and ideas. Everyone, regardless of their time, volition gobble up the story.

So, what is this soup- I mean 'Measure for Mensurate' nearly? The play is known equally a "trouble play" and/or "tragicomedy". That's right, it's both a tragedy and a comedy. Dire trials and tribulations are intertwined with humorous gags and jokesters. I guess Shakespeare couldn't choose just one.

'Measure for Measure' is also a problem play. Critic W.West Lawrence defined a problem play as one in which "a perplexing and distressing complication in human life is presented in a spirit of high seriousness ... the theme is handled so as to arouse not merely interest or excitement, or compassion or entertainment, merely to probe the complicated interrelations of character and activity, in a situation albeit of dissimilar ethical interpretations".

Ok, crazy, merely he also said that "the 'trouble' is non like ane in mathematics, to which in that location is a single truthful solution, but is one of conduct, equally to which there are no fixed and immutable laws. Often it cannot exist reduced to whatsoever formula, whatsoever one question, since homo life is too complex to exist so neatly simplified."

In short, a problem play presents lots of complications and issues that are open to unlike upstanding interpretations. As in "Measure for Mensurate", the "problem(s)" is/are not always solved.

And then, what actually happens in this play that is problematic? What are our ingredients in this trouble soup?

‍P(L)OT SUMMARY

Get it? Crusade soup is cooked in a pot. Deplorable.

The Duke of Vienna appoints his deputy, Angelo, every bit the temporary leader. This Duke then pretends to leave boondocks merely instead dresses up as a friar to observe what happens in his absence. Angelo, strict and unwavering in his dedication to following the rules, decides to rid Vienna of all the unlawful sex; including shutting downwards the brothels. Prostitutes like Mistress Overdone (pun warning) and her pimp Pompey are poised to lose their livelihoods. Laws against this activity exist, but they've gotten lax over the years. Angelo, a stickler for the rules, has Claudio arrested because immature Claudio has gotten his engaged wife-to-be (Juliet) meaning before they were officially married. Claudio is to be executed.

The virtuous Isabella, Claudio'due south sister, is poised to enter a nunnery. Upon hearing of her brother's arrest and sentence, she goes to Angelo to beg him for mercy. He hypocritically, in an admittedly dog move, propositions her, saying he'll pardon her brother if she sleeps with him (with Angelo, not Claudio). She immediately refuses, being the religious and celibate woman that she is. At get-go Claudio is upset because he wants to live, merely then he calms down and accepts death.

Luckily, the Duke (secretly dressed as a friar) helps in their viscid situation. He brews upwardly a plan; Angelo's former flame Mariana was engaged to him, but he bankrupt off their engagement after she lost her dowry in a shipwreck. The Friar (Duke) plans to have Isabella agree to slumber with Angelo, but then send Mariana in her place. In theory, Angelo would pardon Claudio and be forced to ally Mariana by constabulary.

The sometime switcheroo goes off without a hitch. But come forenoon, Angelo refuses to pardon Claudio, fearing he will seek revenge. The Duke, in collaboration with the Provost, send Angelo the head of a expressionless pirate (Ragozine) who died of natural causes. They claim that information technology'south Claudio's head, and Angelo is satisfied, thinking him to be expressionless. Isabella is also told that her blood brother is dead and is encouraged by the Friar (Duke) to mutter about Angelo to the Duke, who is returning dwelling.

The Duke makes a grand render to Vienna, saying he will hear any complaints immediately. Isabella tells her story, and the Knuckles feigns disbelief, despite having orchestrated the plan himself. In an act filled with more twists and turns than a Marvel pic, everything comes out; the Knuckles reveals he was a friar all along, Angelo is forced to confess, and Claudio is pardoned amongst other things. To top it all off, the Duke proposes to Isabella. Crazy!

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

It'south important to acknowledge what was going on in the earth during the writing of a text. This may assistance give insight into why the writer has included (or non included) some aspect of their work.

The Divine Right of Kings

This holy mandate states that a monarch derives his right to rule from the will of God and is not discipline to earthly authority. The "king" or monarch is hence practically divine, and questioning his orders is besides questioning god; irreverence.

The Neat Chain of Being/Class divides

This concatenation is a hierarchy of all life forms and matter in the following guild:

• God
• Angels
• Kings & Royalty
• Nobles
• Commoners (Gentry, Merchants, Yeoman, Laborers)
• Slaves
• Animals
• Plants
• Non-living things

Hence, alongside The Divine Right of Kings, this ideal gave monarchs huge ability over their subjects.

In early 1600s England, there was a defined social hierarchy and class system. Everyone had a place in the hierarchy, and there was little motion between the classes. Within each class, men were considered superior to women.

Shakespeare encourages us to ask a few questions of our supposedly holy leader and his actions. According to the Divine Correct of Kings, the Duke is god'due south correct-paw man, and thus all his decisions are holy and backed by heaven. However, the Knuckles is pretty shady when he plots his bed-trick plan with Isabella and Mariana. Is this deceptive behavior still holy? Furthermore, is it not sacrilege to pretend to be a holy friar when one is not truly a holy homo?

Moreover, when the Knuckles assigns Angelo every bit his deputy, would this transform Angelo into a divine ruler too? Could he exist divine, because his roughshod dominion and despicable request to Isabella?

Women

Women were considered subservient, lower grade citizens and then men. Alliances were forged between powerful families through arranged marriages of daughters. These girls may have received an teaching through tutors attention their homes (there were no schools for girls), merely their endgame would exist marriage, children and maintaining the home. Women and girls of a lower course did non receive any formal didactics simply would accept learned how to govern a household and get skilled in all housewifely duties. Impoverished and desperate women (Mistress Overdone) would turn to prostitution to stay live.

Shakespeare perhaps highlights the struggle of women in his female characters; Isabella, Mistress Overdone, Juliet, and Kate Keepdown. Their futures appear dour; Isabella is poised to enter a nunnery, Juliet's married man (her only source of income and protection) is to exist executed, while the brothels that facilitate Mistress Overdone and Kate Keepdown'southward livelihoods are being closed down by Angelo.

Jacobean Audience

Information technology was a tumultuous time when Shakespeare penned 'Measure for Measure' in 1604. A year earlier came the terminate of the 45 year long Elizabethan era and began the Jacobean era nether the dominion of King James. Since the belatedly Queen Elizabeth had no direct heirs, Rex James of Scotland (a relative) took to the throne. Little was known by the English people of this foreign male monarch.

Perhaps, as Shakespeare portrays the ruler in 'Mensurate for Measure out' as clever and good-hearted, the Bard sought to appease the king past calming the people and encouraging them to trust in their new monarch.

The playwright characterizes the Duke every bit loving his people, merely non enjoying being before their eyes and in the spotlight; much like King James, a repose ruler who relished studying privately in his peachy library.

‍Playhouses and Brothels

The general public (commoners) paid a penny (could buy you a loaf of bread back in the twenty-four hours) to run into Shakespeare's plays, continuing in the "m"; on the ground, at middle-level of the stage. The rich (gentry) paid 2 pennies for seating in the galleries, often using cushions. The really rich (nobles) could watch the play from a chair set on the side of the stage itself. Shakespeare'south plays were performed at the Earth Theatre. Playhouses in Shakespeare'south time were often shut to brothels, both in terms of their physical locations in the suburbs and the mode they were viewed by some of polite society. Thus, Shakespeare's relatively sympathetic portrayal of sexual deviance in 'Measure for Measure' may also establish a defence of other suburban entertainment—his plays—and a way to humanize lower classes who patronized them.

WRITING ABOUT 'Measure FOR Measure out'

If you're lucky enough to written report this interesting piece, the study design requires yous to prepare "sustained analytical interpretations…discussing how features of the text create pregnant and using textual evidence to back up (your) reasons". Basically, you lot'll be given a topic; this topic could environs themes, characters, etc., and you must write analytically.

While yous may choose to construction paragraphs around themes, ideas or characters, make sure to embed some historical context in at that place; that'll show the examiner that you've done your research and have a thorough and deeper understanding of why Shakespeare put this or that in. Talking virtually authorial intent in your analytical essay leads to a more in-depth assay.

"Shakespeare portrays characters that are flawed as a effect of pre-destined circumstances. These characters, such as bawd Pompey and prostitute Mistress Overdone, lived in a time when there existed strong course divides, and movement inside the social hierarchy was rare. As per the "Keen Chain of Beingness", a contemporary religious dogma, in that location was a hierarchy of all living things and affair, from lofty God and his angels down through the ranks of men and finally to animals and not-living things. In some cases, attempting to move upward the social ranks was fifty-fifty considered a cursing rejection of the fate chosen by God."

- embedding historical context (The Dandy Chain of Being) into a paragraph that discusses characters being flawed because of their circumstances

"Shakespeare offers characters such every bit Isabella and The Knuckles who strive for cocky-comeback through understanding and temperance. Perhaps the playwright suggests that perfection is very difficult if not incommunicable to reach, even for a ruler similar the Duke and a pure soul like Isabella. However, he posits that it tin be strived for and that perhaps this attempt to become improve is what truly matters."

- talking about authorial intent - what is Shakespeare trying to tell us?

Recollect of it equally an opportunity to brand your very ain soup! Add together some themes, stir in graphic symbol assay, sprinkle in some quotes and serve with historical context and authorial intent. Just similar with a soup, at that place's got exist a good balance of all your ingredients; test out dissimilar structures during the year to discover what works for you. (Just effort not to overcook it, similar I have done with this soup metaphor). If yous need more help, How To Write a Standout Measure for Measure out by William Shakespeare Essay is for you!

And then, you run across, there's more to Shakespeare and 'Measure for Measure out' than simply fancy onetime language and iambic pentameter (What's that? Well...). Go on on reading this blog post, where we'll delve into themes, characters and symbols/motifs. In the meantime, let's have a break. Grab a snack, a drink, and enjoy this tasty Shakespeare meme.

...Aaaaand we're dorsum!

Are you set up for part 2 of the Shakespeare train? Hop on lath as we explore themes, characters and symbols/motifs.‍‍

THEMES‍

These are the major themes in 'Mensurate for Mensurate'.

As y'all can see, the themes are interconnected. (Do you like the diagram? Made information technology myself :)) Why does this affair? Well, if you lot go an essay topic about Justice, for instance, you can besides link information technology to Sexual and Gender Politics likewise every bit Social Disuse/Cohesion.

So, why is any one theme an important theme?

Which moments and characters are these themes related to?

Is there a link to historical context?

What are some key quotes?

What could be Shakespeare's potential message? (Continue in mind that depending which pieces of evidence you await at, the Bard could be saying something different. In this piece, we'll only hash out one or two authorial messages. The beauty of Shakespeare is that much is open up to estimation. Y'all tin translate characters and ideas in so many different ways!)

Those are some great questions. Let'south explore some of the biggest themes...

Ability and Say-so

Power not simply dictates the Viennese gild, but we meet information technology is a basis for moral corruption (I'g looking at you, Angelo!). The Knuckles is the leader of Vienna, ordained by God. He hands this power to his deputy Angelo, who misuses information technology in his asking of Isabella. At present consider Isabella - she has power too, only a dissimilar kind… Also consider characters who have little to no ability - Mistress Overdone, Pompey etc.

This theme could be linked to the Divine Right of Kings, the Great Concatenation of Being and Women.

• "O, it is splendid to have a giant'southward strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant" - Isabella when she pleads to Angelo to not kill her brother (Deed 2, Scene 2, Line 130-132)
• "He who the sword of sky volition bear should exist every bit holy every bit astringent" - The Friar (Knuckles) to himself, not happy with Angelo's dog move (Act 3, Scene ane, 538-539)
• "When maidens sue, men give similar gods" - Lucio to Isabella, encouraging her to convince Angelo non to kill Claudio (Act ii, Scene ane, Line 87-88)
• "Hence we shall see, if power modify purpose, what our seemers be." - The Duke lowkey suggesting that once Angelo gets power, he'll change into something evil (Act 1, Scene iv, Line 57)
• "Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall." - Escalus is sneakily hating on Angelo. This quote shows that ability and authority oft involve corruption (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 41)

Maybe Shakespeare is suggesting that ability is a dangerous weapon and that in the wrong hands, it could be mortiferous.

Morality and Sin

This is an interesting theme. What defines sin? For instance, if Isabella sleeps with Angelo she'south sinning before God. But if she doesn't, and so she's letting her brother dice, which is not good either. Scrap of a pickle that one. Some characters to consider include Isabella, Angelo, The Duke, Claudio, Lucio, the Provost…. jeez just about everyone! Then many of the characters take part in questionable deeds. Was it immoral for the Duke to pretend to be a holy friar? Is Claudio's sin of impregnating Juliet really punishable past death if both parties were willing, and no one else has been punished for the aforementioned "crime"? Are Pompey and Mistress Overdone being immoral in being in the prostitution business, if information technology's the only mode to survive?

Deep stuff man. This tin can be linked back to class divides, women and the contemporary playhouses/brothels.

• "What sin yous practise to save a brother's life, nature dispenses with the deed so far that it becomes a virtue" - Claudio begs his sister to sleep with Angelo (immoral, specially since she's poised to enter a nunnery), saying that it'south for a good cause, and volition really be a virtue/good act (Act 3, Scene i, Line 146-148)
• "Might there not be a clemency in sin to save this brother's life?" - Angelo asking Isabella to sleep with him and trying to paint the act as a charitable deed (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 65-66)
• "I am a kind of burr, I shall stick" - Lucio, who represents sin and immorality in Vienna (nosotros'll talk more than about this later in symbols/motifs) (Act iv, Scene 3, Line 182)
• "To bring y'all thus together 'tis no sin, sith that the justice of your championship to him doth flourish the deceit." - The Friar (Duke), encouraging Isabella and Mariana to do the dodgy bed-trick and trick Angelo (Deed 4, Scene 1, Line 79-81)

Perhaps Shakespeare tries to tell u.s. that at that place is a fine line between something moral and something sinful. Perchance he's asking, "who are we to judge?", since we all practice questionable things sometimes. Everyone from the omnipotent Duke to a lowly prostitute has committed potentially immoral acts. Perhaps audiences are encouraged to be more understanding of others, and their reasons for these deeds.

Justice

Mmm, this theme ties in nicely with just about all of the others. How does ane define justice? The play explores this thought; does justice mean penalisation? Or mercy? How practice we balance the two to evangelize the right punishment/lack thereof? Characters that dispense justice include The Duke, Angelo (although they take differing ideas of justice) and Isabella. Since Vienna is a religious place, consider the divine justice system (ie. a perfect, flawless system meted out by God) and the earthly one (ie. the flawed, homo justice system). Laws exist in an effort to ensure justice. But does information technology always work? Consider likewise the Quondam and New Testament means of thinking - the former strict and punitive, while the latter is more measured and merciful (come across symbols/motifs below for more info).

This theme can be linked to the Divine Right of Kings, Great Chain of Being, Women, and Jacobean Audience.

• "Justice, justice, justice, justice!" - (Wait, are yous sure this quote is about justice?) Isabella pleads for (you guessed it) justice to the Duke (no longer dressed every bit a friar), thinking Angelo has, in fact, killed her brother (Human activity 5, Scene 1, Line 26)
• "The very mercy of the law cried out… 'An Angelo for Claudio, death for decease!' Haste yet pays haste, and leisure answers leisure, like doth quit like, and mensurate still for measure" - The Duke, explaining that information technology'south only off-white that Angelo die for "killing" Claudio. (Act v, Scene 1, Line 437-441)
• "liberty plucks justice past the olfactory organ" - The Knuckles tells Friar Thomas that the laws accept slipped over the years, and the citizens of Vienna are not beingness punished for immoral deeds (prostitution, sex earlier wedlock etc)

Perhaps Shakespeare says that since we humans are inevitably flawed, that any justice system created by us will too be imperfect. Who are we to decide the fates of our fellow man? Furthermore, the Bard may be encouraging us to be kind when dispensing justice, leaning more to mercy than punishment.

Sexual and Gender Politics

Who run the world? Gir- no it's a bunch of men. This theme contributes to why 'Mensurate for Mensurate' is a problem play. The exploration of the female characters in this play are very interesting, and kind of sad. Of 20 named characters, only 5 are women. Together, their lines brand up only xviii% of the play. Yikes! At that place is a lot to unpack here. Our female person characters are Isabella, Mariana, Mistress Overdone, Juliet, Francisca (a nun who speaks twice) and Kate Keepdown (who we never meet). Their situations: a maiden poised to enter a nunnery, a prostitute, a meaning girl virtually to lose her married man, a nun, and some other prostitute. Quite gloomy, isn't it? Meanwhile, the men are leaders (The Duke, deputy Angelo, and aboriginal lord Escalus) and gentlemen (Lucio, Claudio, and Froth). Over the form of the play, our female characters are put into worse situations by men. Their experiences are dictated by men. Consider taking a "feminist perspective" and exploring 'Measure for Measure' from a female point of view.

This theme links to the Groovy Chain of Being, Women and Playhouses/Brothels.

• "see how he goes virtually to abuse me!" - These are the final words we hear from Mistress Overdone, every bit she calls out Lucio for betraying her even though she kept secrets for him. All this happens while she'southward being carted off to prison house in simply Deed three! What do you think Shakespeare is saying to us? (Act three, Scene 1, Line 481)
• "So was your sin of heavier kind than his" - The Friar (Duke) says to Juliet that she sinned more than than Claudio, even though their sin was "mutually committed". Even though they were both consenting, the woman is blamed more than. Consider what would get of Juliet if Claudio was executed. She'd probably stop upwardly like Mistress Overdone... (Act ii, Scene 3, Line 31)
• "Who volition believe thee, Isabel?" - Angelo says this later on Isabella threatens to reveal his disgusting request. Ouch. Information technology actually goes to show how untrustworthy women are deemed.  (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 163)
• "Why, yous are nada so: neither maid, widow, nor wife?" - The Duke says this to Mariana. Basically, he says a woman tin can only be those 3 things. Jeez. (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 196-197)
• "When maidens sue, men give like gods" - Lucio to Isabella, encouraging her to convince Angelo not to kill Claudio. So, perhaps women do take some power. But, it's due to their sexuality; something evaluated past men. Dandy. (Human activity two, Scene 1, Line 87-88)

Perhaps Shakespeare suggests that women are treated unfairly in society. Possibly he posits that women are afforded and so few opportunities in a human's world. The Bard potentially says that such sexual and gender politics exercise not create a cohesive and just society.

Mercy

This theme, again, connects to many others. It can link to all groups of people (The wealthy, the poor, women, criminals etc). Nigh of the mercy is dispensed at the terminate of the play when the Duke does his grand reveal. Characters who choose to mete out mercy over penalty include The Knuckles and Isabella. As well consider Angelo, who instead of choosing to spare Claudio, decides to kill him to uphold a law that hasn't seen anyone punished for the same human action. We might think this is harsh, only information technology a legal and lawful conclusion.

Connect this idea with historical context, specifically Jacobean audience and playhouses/brothels.

• "I detect an apt remission in myself" - Apt remission = set up forgiveness. The Knuckles says this after pardoning Angelo (Act five, Scene one, Line 539)
• "pray thee have this mercy to provide for amend times to come" - The Duke pardons murderer Barnadine, asking him to use it to practice better. How lovely!  (Act 5, Scene 1, Line 525-526)
• "let the states exist keen (shrewd/precipitous), and rather cutting a little than fall and bruise to death" - Escalus says this to Angelo, who wants to enact all strict laws immediately. The ever-reliable Escalus advises Angelo to be lenient and merciful. (Act 2, Scene one, Line 6-7)
• "Mercy is not itself that oft looks and then, pardon is still the nurse of second woe" - Escalus says this, defending Angelo'south decision to punish Claudio. He suggests that sometimes being merciful can encourage farther wrongdoing. (Act 2, Scene ane, Line 282-283")
• "I show it (pity) about of all when I show justice" - Angelo says to Isabella that he is showing Claudio compassion/mercy past punishing him. A firm believer in the police force, Angelo thinks he's doing the right thing and teaching Claudio a lesson by punishing him.  (Act ii, Scene 2, Line 123)

Perhaps Shakespeare encourages us to await at mercy and punishment from different perspectives. Angelo believes he is punishing Claudio for his ain proficient, and cleaning up Vienna of lechery too. Peradventure we ought to exist merciful in our stance of the deputy. Nonetheless, the Bard shows that in the case of young Claudio, mercy and forgiveness is the right path to cull. Finally, consider why Shakespeare may accept portrayed a merciful leader to his Jacobean audience. Maybe if he were to portray a leader as fair and merciful, the Jacobean audience would trust that their new male monarch (a human being similar in character to the Duke) could be kind and merciful too. Earning the favour of the king and writing a killer play? He's killed ii birds with one stone.

Human Frailty & Fallibility

I've encountered many essay topics nigh how humans are flawed and imperfect. It's a pretty big theme in many texts, not just in our friend William Shakespeare's. Man fallibility is to arraign for a lot of the going-ons in 'Measure for Measure'. Angelo takes the law likewise seriously, he gets eye eyes for Isabella and kills Claudio even though he thinks he's slept with Isabella. Why? He wants to save his own ass, fearing Claudio volition seek vengeance. The Duke is flawed likewise. He's a leader, but he only avoids his problems, leaving Angelo in charge to deal with them. And then he plans to swoop in and wait like a hero. Kinda dodgy. Consider Claudio and Juliet also. They, like Angelo, succumbed to lust and slept together before they were officially married. (Sigh, humans merely tin't go it right.) It's likewise worth thinking most the "low-lives" and poorer characters. Are the poor frail in a dissimilar manner? For case, Mistress Overdone keeps Lucio's secrets for him. In that style she is virtuous. Still, she sells her body to survive. Perhaps she is not prone to desire similar Angelo, but serves some other desire - a want to survive?

In terms of historical context, consider the Divine Right of Kings, the Groovy Chain of Being and Playhouses/Brothels.

• "They say best men are moulded out of faults, and for the most become much more the improve for being a little bad" - Mariana pleads to Isabella to back up her in begging the Knuckles to pardon (her new husband) Angelo. She is optimistic for man, believing our bad deeds can pb to self-improvement. (Deed 5, Scene 5, Line 473-475)
• "Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once" - Isabella pleads to Angelo to pardon Claudio. She states that all souls were flawed before Christ offered redemption. (Act two, Scene 2, Line 93)
• "I speak not every bit desiring more than, but rather wishing a more strict restraint" - Isabella is speaking to a nun as she is poised to enter the ranks of the nunnery. We usually think of a nun as living a very strict life, but Isabella wants information technology even stricter! Here we meet her flaw is that her thinking is besides atypical and blinkered. (Deed 1, Scene 5, Line 3-4)
• "Lord Angelo is precise, stands at guard with green-eyed, scarce confesses that his blood flows, or that his appetite is more to bread than stone." - The Knuckles talks virtually how unhuman Angelo is. The deputy follows rules very closely, almost to the signal where he's like a machine. His nature is too strict.  (Act 1, Scene five, Line 53-56)
• "I dearest the people, but exercise not like to stage me to their eyes" - The Duke says this to Angelo and Escalus equally he easily over power to his deputy. Even the Duke is not perfect, in that he does not like being before crowds of his people (Deed i, Scene 2, Line 72-73)

Perhaps Shakespeare suggests that no one is truly perfect, non even a leader supposedly ordained by God, a law-abiding deputy, or a maiden who is poised to enter a nunnery. Even so while Angelo is overcome by his lust and emotion, the Duke and Isabella attempt to better themselves by showing mercy and temperance. Possibly Shakespeare suggests trying to improve one's flawed self is near important.

God, Faith and Spirituality

Phew, nosotros're at our last theme. So, society in Vienna is very much religious. Their behavior dictate actions and laws within the urban center. Some very religious characters include Isabella and Angelo. However, our novice nun, who is obsessed with virtue and chastity, agrees to and takes role in the bed-trick, a deception that is not particularly Christian. Our lusty deputy also succumbs, hellishly propositioning a maiden to slumber with him in exchange for her brother'southward life. Even The Duke, supposedly semi-divine, makes some dubious choices. He spends most of the play posed as a holy human, fifty-fifty though he is not. He plans the bed-trick to deceive Angelo and lets poor Isabella think her poor blood brother is dead, instead of saving her so much pain. Furthermore, the title of the tale, 'Measure for Mensurate', comes from the Gospel of Matthew. (See symbols/motifs for more than deets). The question of how much nosotros should allow organized religion dictate us is another reason this piece is a problem play.

The theme of God and Religion can link to historical context such as the Divine Right of Kings.

• "more than than our brother is our chastity" - (Act iii, Scene 1, Line 194) and "Better it were a brother died at once, than that a sis by redeeming him should dice forever" - (Act two, Scene 4, Line 111-113) prove that Isabella values her chastity and virtue over her brother!! Damn daughter!
• "Ay, simply to dice, and go nosotros know not where, to lie in cold obstruction and to rot" - Claudio tells Isabella that he fears the doubt of death. Perhaps his belief in a heaven has left him in the wake of his impending decease? (Act three, Scene 1, Line 129-130)
• "Allow's write good angel on the devil's horns - 'tis not the devil'due south crest" - Angelo is talking to himself about his lust for Isabella. It'south an appearance vs reality (ooh some other theme!) kind of idea, where y'all can try to pretend something is something else (ie. Angelo doesn't lust later on Isabella), but it doesn't change the affair (ie. he's even so great). The deputy is comparing his emotions to these religious extremes. (Human activity 2, Scene 4, Line 16-17)

Perhaps Shakespeare criticises religious extremism in his portrayal of characters like Isabella and Angelo. Or maybe he simply wants united states of america to remain open-minded about ideas and our spirituality.

Yikes, there are so many themes in this play! Permit'southward movement it along, and talk a little bit about characters.

CHARACTERS

Each graphic symbol tin be viewed in dissimilar lights, even more so than themes can exist. Nosotros're going to discuss characters very briefly considering it's upward to y'all how you want to read them.

Here are the characters, in lodge of how much they speak in the play. To keep things short, allow's pretend these are all tinder bios. Who would you swipe right on? (Hint: non Lucio)

The Duke

• super chill (the benevolent ruler of Vienna who'due south let the laws sideslip a trivial)
  
• loves dressing up (actually spends well-nigh of the play disguised as a friar)
  
• clever/cunning (secretly counteracts the injustices decreed by Angelo)
  

Isabella

• strong morals (would rather her blood brother die than she lives in shame)
  
• tin can become wild (conspires with the Duke to complete the bed-trick)
  
• holy gal (poised to enter a nunnery)
  

Lucio

• a gentleman (well, his championship is. He's rude nearly the Knuckles and abased a prostitute that he got pregnant, so maybe he'southward non that kind of gentleman)
  
• loves attention (legit! He's a minor character but he has the third nigh lines of them all! Lucio loves to stir the pot!)
  
• loves some symbolism (Lucio represents all the bad stuff in Vienna…..see symbols/motifs)
  

Angelo

• plays by the rules (a little too much)
  
• hypocrite (Sentences Claudio to death for sexual activity before union, while request the same affair of Isabella…. wow nosotros've constitute our antagonist)
  
• Deep (Angelo is a bit of a complex graphic symbol. He seems aware of his misdeeds and struggles to deal with these desires. Information technology's hard not to pity him at times)
  

Escalus

• reliable (consistently counsels Angelo against acting too harshly)
  
• virtuous (he's merciful, lets Pompey get with a alarm in Deed two Scene 1)
  
• loyal (trusts in the Duke)
  

Provost

• hard worker (he's a prison ward)
  
• virtuous (does what's right by him, disobeying Angelo'due south orders to behead Claudio)
  
• magician (non really, merely he makes Angelo believe that pirate Ragozine's head is Claudio'southward)
  

Pompey

• clever (philosophically debates whether prostitution is worse than murder)
  
• funny (his grapheme is the clown, and he's got some sassy comebacks)
  
• poor (Pompey is a bawd employed past Mistress Overdone. Non the all-time dating bio)
  

Claudio

• downward for a skillful time ;) (impregnates Juliet earlier they are officially married)
  
• cool family unit (he'southward Isabella's brother)
  
• expert hearted (initially is horrified at Angelo's request of Isabella, saying she shouldn't do it. Unfortunately, his fright of death go's to him. After he's calmed down, he's accepting of death)
  

Elbow

• a human being in uniform (a policeman)
  
• a piddling dumb (he speaks a lot of malapropisms - hilariously using like but incorrect words)
  
• not like Pompey (Pompey is a clever poor man, while Elbow is a policeman who's a little scrap all over the place)
  

Mariana

• dedicated (withal in honey with Angelo even though he called off their date because her dowry was lost)
  
• a willing cohort (participates in the bed-trick)
  

Mistress Overdone

• poor (she'south a prostitute, who fears for her livelihood when Angelo announces he'due south destroying all the brothels)
  
• good hearted (kept Lucio's underground. What undercover? Read on…)
  

Abhorson

• works for the Duke (as an executioner…. there's no way to make that audio nice)
  
• doesn't have a great proper name (c'mon it'southward truthful)
  

Juliet

• also likes to have a practiced time ;) (pregnant before official marriage)
  
• dependent (if Claudio dies she will probably end upward as a prostitute to survive)
  

Boy

• can sing (Mariana asks him to sing a sad song about how she lost her beloved Angelo)
  

Francisca

• holy gal (she is a nun)
  

Kate Keepdown (nosotros never actually meet this grapheme)

• a colleague of Mistress Overdone (a prostitute)
  
• single mum (Lucio got her pregnant and and then ran abroad. He thinks marrying a prostitute is akin to whipping and hanging)
  

Ragozine (we never really run across this character)

• dies (legit that's all he does)

SYMBOLS & MOTIFS

These are people, objects, words etc that represent a theme or idea. For instance, the fact that I've used a bad soup metaphor AND a tinder reference means I need to go exterior more than. But permit's move on…

Championship

The championship, "Measure for Measure" draws from the gospel of Matthew. The idea of heavenly justice vs earthly justice is prominent throughout the text. Moreover, it's worth exploring the Quondam Testament ways of "an eye for an eye" and "measure for mensurate" in comparing to the New Testament teachings which lean towards forgiveness and mercy. Now, where practice the Duke'southward actions fit in? Is he harsh and equalising? Is he but and sympathetic?

New Attestation vs. Erstwhile Testament

When the Duke sentences Angelo to decease, he makes a fancy speech communication which includes the play's title.

"'An Angelo for Claudio, decease for death!

Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure.

Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure."

Human action v, Scene i, Line 439-441

This mimics the Old Testament views, which famously states "heart for centre, tooth for tooth" (Exodus 21:24). These ideals teach that the person who committed a criminality shall have the same criminality washed unto them. (For example, if you don't like my new Facebook profile movie, I'm not liking yours…..but way more severe.)

In comparison, the New Testament states that nosotros "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not estimate, and you lot will not be judged. Practise not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will exist forgiven." (Luke 6:36-37)

So, when sentencing Angelo the Duke employs the words of the Old Testament. All the same, he doesn't go through with Angelo's execution, instead showing the mercy encouraged by the New Testament. He'southward not actually post-obit either way. Perhaps he'due south instead choosing a center road; one of temperance and justice.

Lucio

Wait, who? We oasis't mentioned the "gentleman" Lucio much in the plot and in this weblog post. That's considering he doesn't really practice that much other than buzz effectually and annoy everyone. Maybe that'south why his name rhymes with musquito….

Regardless, we practice see enough of Lucio'due south grapheme to learn that he's non a very squeamish person. He treats Mistress Overdone and Pompey poorly, makes visits to the brothel, doesn't take responsibility for his deportment (getting Kate Keepdown pregnant) and bad-mouths the Knuckles. And so yes, we don't similar Lucio, what's the large deal? Well, in Human action 4, Scene 4 Line 182, Lucio says something very intriguing.

"I am a kind of burr, I shall stick."

Burr - those little chocolate-brown prickly things that get stuck to you.

Nosotros can call up of Lucio as representing all the sins and misdeeds in Vienna - lechery, immorality, lack of justice, selfishness etc. Hence, Lucio is proverb that these shortcomings and flaws will ever be present to people and in Vienna, sticking to the city like a nasty burr. Damn, that's deep.

Prose/Poesy

The metre of the poetry (ie. the classic Shakespeare writing) in ''Measure for Mensurate"  is iambic pentameter. This means that each line is divided into five anxiety. Within each foot, there is one unstressed syllable followed past a stressed one.

Consider:

I'll TELL him YET of ANgelO'Southward asking, And FIT his Listen to DEATH, for HIS soul'south REST. (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 195-196)

Verse does not have to rhyme, as the above lines do. Shakespeare often employs a rhyming couplet to close a scene and add some drama.

Verse is usually reserved for the higher class citizens, with those who are less fortunate speaking in prose.

Prose is language in its ordinary form, with no metre.

Certain characters, such equally Lucio, switch between verse and prose depending on who they are speaking to. This could allude to Lucio's duplicity, or perhaps a deep understanding of class divides in Vienna.

Names: Escalus and Angelo

Escalus is the e'er reasonable and loyal lord and close confidant of the Duke. His name gives connotations of scales and residuum - characteristic of the rational human being.

Angelo's name has connotations of "angel". If nosotros estimate him merely by his name, he should be a pure and heavenly being. Bah! That's and so fake! We can see that appearance is very different from reality. Isabella notices this too, stating that "this outward-sainted deputy...is yet a devil" (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 95-98).

Angelo'south Words/Actions

There is so much to unpack almost this douchebag. Let usa briefly consider ii ideas. When he propositions Isabella to sleep with him, he requests that she "lay downwards the treasures of (her) body" (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 100).

Firstly, that'due south weird. Perhaps Angelo can be seen as someone who is obsessed with the physical - Isabella'southward body and treasure. Maybe this obsession leads to his immorality and poor leadership.

Secondly, Angelo struggles to directly say, "hey, let's sleep together". He weaves his way around the asking, propositioning Isabella so indirectly that at start, she does not even seem to empathise his asking! However, in one case she threatens to tell anybody almost his vile need, he speaks bluntly; "Who volition believe thee, Isabel?" (Deed 2, Scene four, Line 163). Perhaps this shows Angelo is cocky-aware that he'southward being an donkey. Or maybe this scene is yet more evidence of a patriarchal lodge, with the men knowing very well the ability they hold.

Ragozine

We never really see this fellow. Ragozine is a pirate who dies in jail while "Measure for Measure" unfolds. His caput is used in place of Claudio'due south to convince Angelo of the sometime's execution. Fascinatingly, Ragozine is the just person who dies in the entire play. Besides, he dies of natural causes. Interesting. It feels like the play is full of death, grief and many heads on the chopping block. But curiously, at that place is only one expiry, of a small-scale graphic symbol, of natural causes. Possibly this says something virtually fate and justice or offers some commentary on life and hope.

Elbow vs. Pompey

Elbow is a empty-headed policeman who speaks in malapropisms (using a similar but incorrect word for humorous effect). Pompey is a clever pimp who seems to have a deep understanding of justice and the Viennese people. The comparison of these characters, fortunate and impaired to unfortunate and clever, maybe serves to show that the constabulary is not always apt and that sometimes those who break the constabulary are more clever than it.

Mistress Overdone (or lack thereof)

Mistress Overdone is a pitiable prostitute. She worries for her survival when Angelo begins pulling down the brothels, and she keeps Lucio's bastard child a secret, just for him to throw her under the motorcoach to salve his own skin. The last we come across of Mistress Overdone is her getting carted off to prison, crying "Come across how he goes most to abuse me!" (Deed 3, Scene ane, Line 481) Yeah, the final we witness of i of 5 speaking female characters is of her imminent incarceration. Furthermore, this happens in Act iii of five, around halfway through the play! The audience never hears from Mistress Overdone again, and her future is left uncertain. Even Barnadine, a bedevilled murderer, is given freedom and a happy ending.

Consider writing a few sentences of your essay from a feminist's perspective. Retrieve about the events of the play from the female characters' points of view. What is Shakespeare saying by portraying Mistress Overdone (and other women) in such a mode? Perhaps he is pointing out the injustices of the patriarchal system, or how uncertain a woman's life was in his contemporary fourth dimension.

"Measure for Measure out" truly is an incredible text. This blog post is by no means an exhaustive list of all its quirks and complexities. This play's relevance has survived centuries, and I believe it will continue to exist pertinent to audiences well into the futurity. You are very lucky to be studying a text with such universal themes and ideas that you can carry with you even subsequently high schoolhouse.

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Source: https://www.vcestudyguides.com/blog/the-crucible