Character Of Isabella Flashcards
Claudio hopes that Isabella’s reputation will give Angelo moral direction and uses Isabella as a moral surrogate. But also suggest Isabella should use her sexuality on Angelo.
“Implore her in my voice, that she make friends to the strict deputy, bid herself assay him”
Claudio suggests that Isabella has an innate sensuality that has an affect on men. Isabell is presented as a moral surrogate and also victimised under the male gaze.
“For in her youth there is a prone and speechless dialect, such as move men”
Isabella concedes her sexuality to patriarchal law and embraces the laws of the mother superior to escape subjugation under the law of the patriarchal father.
“And have you nuns no further privileges?”
Why is Chasity so important to Isabella?
It is the economy in which secular power is based.
Lucio greets Isabella with respect which is conditional on her chastity exposing the double bind of the patriarchy.
“Hail virgin of you may be”
What does Angelo and the duke think will remedy the diseased state of Vienna?
Secular law prescribes Chasity as the remedy of a diseased state
Lucio uses further epithets towards Isabella, ironically subjugating her to the male gaze as she is described as nothing beyond her chastity
“Gentle and fair”
Lucio argues that men are very sympathetic towards the plights of women
“When maidens sue men give like Gods”
Definition of assay
- To test the nature of something
- To try to touch/ feel
Isabella reflects on power dynamics and the ethical imperatives surronding restraint and benevolence.
“O it is excellent to have a giants strength but tryannous to use it like a giant”
Isabella’s epic rant reaches a climax as she critices the hubris of man when placed in positions of authority and draws a mocing potrait of human behaviour (link to great chain of being)
But man, proud man dressed in breif authority, mosy ignorant of what hes most assured.. like an angry ape plays fantastic tricks before high heaven
