After reading the first act of Measure for Measure and seeing how sex filled and prostitute ridden the streets of Vienna are the character of Isabella becomes an enigma. She is the picture of chastity and piety in a city full of sex and corruption. Her character almost becomes ridiculous when she is about to take her oaths to enter into the convent and still she, “wishes more strict restraint.” (1.4.4). Since Isabella is such a devout person I was surprised that Claudio would send her to plead his case. Isabella herself questions what she could do to save her brother’s life and is quick to admit how powerless she is.
At first one would think that Claudio’s rational for sending his sister to Lord Angelo would only be to have his sister’s holy personage sway Lord Angelo’s decision, especially because they seem so rationally like minded. Actually both Angelo and Isabella ask for more tests and chances for sacrifice to prove themselves before God and lord. Claudio’s last hope for redemption seems as though it would come from his saintly sister through prayer and psalms. Although Vienna is fraught with lude bargains nothing more than a chaste request would come from a brother. Lucio however, seems to know exactly what kind of power Isabella and those of her sex can wield over the likes of men in power. Lucio would rather Isabella use female manipulation rather than her reason or prayer, “let him learn to know, when maidens sue, Men give like gods; but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them.” (1.4.80). Although this is a completely demeaning statement and shows that the only power Isabella possesses it that of her body; one cannot help but look at the truth in this statement.
It may seem that the Lucio the fool and clown figure holds more truth then he thinks. In the day of Measure for Measure women held little power and could only get what they wanted through expert manipulation. Even today it is tough to argue the fact that a girl can get what she wants by putting on the water works. Isabella seems to be a feminist figure brought down by the realities of her time period. She wants nothing more than to join the nunnery and devote herself to God. Instead she is trust into a situation which she cannot control and the only way to save her dear brother is to use her womanly wilds as a way to manipulate men. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the play works out and if Isabella is able to keep her purity once she has plead for her brother’s life.
6 comments:
I really like the connection you drew about the image of women in the time that this play was written and the image we see now-a-days. They are indeed comparable and the Claudio's hope for Isabella's help proves this as he called for her because he believed her current stance as a woman of God will benefit his needs. After all, the brother of a nun could not possibly have had ill-intent when impregnating his girlfriend/fiance. Then, like now, woman are treated as more fragile beings. While I see the logic of Claudio's efforts, I see it also as kind of absurd. Just because your sister is saintly does not necessarily mean that Claudio is as well. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
This was a great post! And you stated some really interesting things: my favorite would be how you specified how Isabella is the lone "saint" in a town full of prostitutes, pimps, and debauchery. She is giving her life to God.
I find it funny that of all people Claudio wants his sister to help him. He doesn't just want her to help; he wants her to use her sexuality even though he knows she is on her way to being a nun. She wants a strict life devoted to God. I too am curious to see how this will play out as the play goes on. Right now Isabella is the most interesting character for me.
I agree that it seems odd that out of all the people Claudio could think of to help him he asks his saintly sister, Isabella. In a city that basically lives on sex and prostitution it is ironic that the virgin, the Mary-picturesque is the person being called in to reason with Angelo. I agree that it could be their logical, God loving, pure ideals and values that may be what persuade Angelo to use his logic and let Claudio off the hook but I don't think that's how it will work out in the end. I think that in a play based on sex, a city overrun with sex and a play beginning with sex will surely have to follow it's over powering and controversial theme till the end, therefore the play must end in sex. Making it almost impossible for Isabella to use her womanly wiles in a "pure", "saintly', or "God-loving" way.
Another great post.
I enjoyed reading your analysis on the irony of Claudio and Lucio going to Isabella for help, but I find myself disagreeing somewhat to the idea that it is only her "woman wiles" that has her brother asking for her assistance.
I cannot deny that a reason why Lucio agrees with Claudio's choice of spokesperson is because Isabella is a young virgin. Shakespeare (and many other playwrights) love using chaste women for deeds such as this. However, one of the first things Claudio says about his sister is that “she hath prosperous art / When she will play with reason and discourse” (1.2.161-162). She plays with reason and discourse? That doesn’t quite sound like the ladies of Vienna ask described previously. It sounds like Claudio is asking from his sister what he would ask if she were his brother instead.
Another great post.
I enjoyed reading your analysis on the irony of Claudio and Lucio going to Isabella for help, but I find myself disagreeing somewhat to the idea that it is only her "woman wiles" that has her brother asking for her assistance.
I cannot deny that a reason why Lucio agrees with Claudio's choice of spokesperson is because Isabella is a young virgin. Shakespeare (and many other playwrights) love using chaste women for deeds such as this. However, one of the first things Claudio says about his sister is that “she hath prosperous art / When she will play with reason and discourse” (1.2.161-162). She plays with reason and discourse? That doesn’t quite sound like the ladies of Vienna ask described previously. It sounds like Claudio is asking from his sister what he would ask if she were his brother instead.
Isabella certainly is a standout enigma in the larger scheme of this play. I agree with you that her immense restraint and piety reaches ridiculous levels. However, she may have been forced to such an extreme because of the society she inhabits. Either way, I did not find it strange that Claudio asked his sister do plead his case. When asking her this, he though one of two things. Either he believed that because she was so good and pure that Lord Angelo would have no choice to trust her judgment, or he hoped that Lord Angelo would fall in love with her beauty and she would submit herself to him. I personally think it is the later and that makes Claudio rather selfish
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