Isabella Quotes

Question 1

To have a giant’s strength but it is tyrannous’

Answer 1

• Metaphor illustrates the enormous power and authority that Angelo has.
• Criticises him personally as he abuses his power.
  -Presents her as extremely brave and courageous in the face of injustice

Question 3

‘Authority, though it err like others, hath yet a kind of medicine in itself that skins the vice over the top’

Answer 3

• Suggests that power = medicine. Those in power may do wrong but use their power to cover their wrongdoings.
• Implies a sense of superficiality to those in position of power.
• Metaphor shows how power can hide wrongdoings.

Question 3

‘Proud man dressed in a little brief authority’

Answer 3

• Accuses Angelo of being proud which is one of the seven deadly sins.
• Metaphor of ‘dressed’ to imply a temperance to Angelo’s authority which undermines his power.
• ‘Dressed’ also has connotations to performing and a deceptive facade.

Question 3

With an outstretched throat I’ll tell the world aloud what man thou art’

Answer 3

• Attempts to take back her power.
• Highlights the inferiority of women in a patriarchal society.
• Futility of her attempt.

Question 3

‘Bidding the law make curtsy to their will’

Answer 3

• Personification of the law.
• Angelo makes the law ‘bend to his will’ demonstrating his hypocrisy.
• Those in power are above the law.

Question 3

‘Who will believe me?’

Answer 3

• Rhetorical question highlights the precarious position of women in a patriarchal society.
• Evokes sympathy for Isabella as Shakespeare highlights her vulnerability

Question 4

‘Die, perish!’

Answer 4

• Shakespeare questions the essence of Christian morality as Isabella condemns her brother to death, which goes against Christian teachings of forgiveness and love, yet she claims to be a devout Christian.

Question 4

‘To such abhorred pollution’

Answer 4

• Hyperbolic language shows her distaste for fornication.
• Highlights her strong religious background.
• Metaphor, views sex as corrupting.

Question 5

‘Till you have heard me in my true complaint and give me justice, justice, justice, justice!

Answer 5

• Portrays her incredible bravery as she completely demands attention in front of a male audience.
• Repetition of ‘justice’ conveys her hyperbolic, distressed and desperate tone.

Question 6

‘That Angelo’s forsworn, is it not strange? That Angelo’s a murderer, is’t not strange? That Angelo is an adulterous thief, a hypocrite, a virgin-violator, Is it not strange and strange?’

Answer 6

• Use of anaphora in ‘that’, highlights her incredible rationality.
• Use of rhetorical question highlights the damage and abuse of power that Angelo has caused.

Question 7

I had rather give up my body than my soul’

Answer 7

• Highlights her strong religious background; fornication is a sin and she would rather die.

Question 8

‘The impression of keen whips I wear as rubies’

Answer 8

• Shakespeare highlights her incredible intellect.
• Metaphor of ‘rubies’ demonstrates how the ‘whip’ marks are a symbol of her bravery and her religious devotion.