Throughout each work of Shakespeare that we have covered so far in the semester, the idea of characters toying between “right” and “wrong” seems to play a prevalent part in both the plot and within the lives of the characters. It seems that many of the problems in Measure for Measure arise because the men in the play have little control over their lust clouding their vision when it comes down to what is “morally right” and “morally wrong.”
Right at the beginning of the play, we are introduced to Claudio, and his scandal of being imprisoned because he impregnates his fiancée, Juliet. Angelo is quick to point out Claudio’s wrong doing and wishes to persecute him, yet Angelo finds himself in similar moral dilemma of lust when it comes to Isabella, Claudio’s sister.
Isabella's demeanor and her values seem to represent the ying, to Claudio’s yang as she wishes to become a nun and wishes to save herself ultimately, as she lives a life of purity and without sin. Angelo wants to portray himself as a just and morally right person as well, but instead of dealing with her in a manner consistent with his station, Angelo offers to spare Claudio in exchange for sexual encounter with Isabella.
6 comments:
Alex brings up very good points in her posts. It is true that lust seems to be an important theme running throughout Shakespeare’s plays. What I do find interesting is that although lust is seen in a lot of the characters and as Alex points out, Isabella is left out of this. Why is it that Shakespeare did not find it important to portray this character in lust? It could be because Isabella is supposed to be the pure character in the play. Isabella represents the purity and chastity in this play, so maybe Shakespeare needed to have a character who does not fall victim to this lust that rules a lot of the characters emotions. Isabella acts with her brain whereas the other characters act through lust.
I really enjoyed your attention to the question of “right” and “wrong.” This play revolves so much around what is “moral” and what is not. Your post really hit on major themes that Measure for Measure is concerned with.
After our discussion in class on Tuesday, I wanted to add a little bit more to my response. Although Isabella does end up with the Duke at the end of the play, I still feel that she is the character left out of lust. She might end up being married in the end and give up herself as a nun, I still do not see a lust driven decision like the other characters partake in.
I agree with this post. A lot of the characters toy with the idea of what is right and wrong. I also agree with the idea the Isabella is left out of lust. Although she is left out of lust, she still retains most of her morals and good judgment.
Alex makes a nice point here about sexual desire and the ways in which Shakespeare depicts it. I would add to the conversation the character of "Mistress Overdone," whose name implies extreme sexual licentiousness. Connecting this to the discussion in the comments here about Isabella, I wonder if you all think that Shakespeare has presented us with the classic "virgin/whore" binary, whereby a woman has only those choices available. Is this play showing us a world in which there are no other choices for women?
I agree that Alex brings up a few good points as well. Within every play that we have come into contact with there is always a continuous theme of good and bad. I feel that that is the general theme of most of Shakespeare's plays. I wish that Shakespeare would have changed up his themes a bit, instead of using the same repetitious good vs. bad over and over. Not only does this play deal with right vs. wrong but it also has a lot to do with morals and values. I'm glad you brought this discussion up!
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