MEASURE FOR MEASURE - CHARACTERS (DESCRIPTIONS)

Question 1

CHARACTER: (DUKE) VINCENTIO

• FIRST: POWER
• SECOND: LEADERSHIP / CHARACTER
• THIRD: DUTY / LEADERSHIP / LAWS
• FOURTH: APPEARANCE VERSUS REALITY
• FIFTH: POWER (ABUSE)
• SIXTH: CHARACTER / APPEARANCE

Answer 1

• … Who has the power of life and death over his subjects…
• … However, the Duke’s behaviour may well seem deceitful and strange…
• … He is aware that he has neglected his divine right to enforce the laws of Vienna…
• …Suggests to Friar Thomas that Angelo may not be what he seems to be…
• … He assist those whose lives he manipulates…
• … A man who likes public adulation is considered untrustworthy…

Question 2

CHARACTER: LORD ANGELO

• FIRST: POWER / AUTHORITY
• SECOND: NATURE / HUMAN INSTINCTS
• THIRD: JUSTICE / MERCY
• FOURTH: JUSTICE / LAW
• FIFTH: NATURE / HUMAN INSTINCTS
• SIXTH: LOVE / CHARACTER
• SEVENTH: LOVE / MERCY
• EIGHTH: HUMAN INSTINCTS / JUSTICE

Answer 2

• … A new figure of authority in the Duke’s absence…
• … Forced to confront his true nature…
• … He claims that strict justice is itself merciful….
• … Shakespeare shows that there is a difference between earthly and divine rule…
• … Suggests that he is above human frailty and immune to temptation. Yet paradoxically, he is tempted by Isabella’s virtue and innocence…
• … Deliberately slandered her reputation as a means of extricating himself from their betrothal…
• … Mariana’s love offers Angelo the chance of mercy and redemption…
• … Illustrates his acceptance of guilt and that he deserves the punishment of death…

Question 3

CHARACTER: ESCALUS

• FIRST: CHARACTER / JUSTICE
• SECOND: JUSTICE
• THIRD: LAWS / LEADERSHIP

Answer 3

• … Whose name means scales, seems to strike the right balance between justice and mercy…
• … The importance of balance and judgement…
• … He takes sensible and practical steps to improve the laws in Vienna…

Question 4

CHARACTER: LUCIO

• FIRST: HUMAN INSTINCTS / CORRUPTION
• SECOND: NATURE / CHARACTER / HUMAN INSTINCTS

Answer 4

• … Describes lechery as ‘sport’ and readily admits that he has the “foppery of freedom”…
• … Lucio’s gross slander of the Duke and his deliberate betrayal of the low-life characters reveal an obnoxious side to his nature…
• … Whose name means light… sheds…

Question 5

CHARACTER: POMPEY

• FIRST: CHARACTER
• SECOND: CORRUPTION
• THIRD: LAW / LEADERSHIP

Answer 5

• … He has the name of a famous Roman leader, yet there is nothing noble about him…
• … Exposes/Uncovers the immorality and corruption of Vienna through the characters of the Viennese underworld…
• … He is conscientious that the law is a man-made system…

Question 6

CHARACTER: CLAUDIO

• FIRST: CHARACTER / LAW
• SECOND: CHARACTER / LOVE
• THIRD: LAW / LIFE

Answer 6

• … Claudio’s punishment acts as a catalyst that uncovers Vienna’s lack of proper enforcement of the law…
• … Represents sensual and over-enthusiastic love…
• … He accepts and realizes that he has overstepped his moral privileges but his real feelings become apparent when he pleads to Isabella for his life…

Question 7

CHARACTER: BARNARDINE

• FIRST: CHARACTER / NATURE
• SECOND: LAW / JUSTICE
• THIRD: LAW / LIFE AND DEATH

Answer 7

• … In the play, Barnardine’s function is to reveal more about the nature of the Duke…
• … And how applying the law extensively does not result in true justice…
• … The dissolute prisoner defies death and…

Question 8

CHARACTER: MISTRESS OVERDONE

• FIRST: CHARACTER
• SECOND: NATURE / HUMAN INSTINCTS
• THIRD: CHARACTER

Answer 8

• … A woman who know no other existence than being a brothel keeper…
• … Encourages the people of Vienna to pursue their sexual nature…
• … Although she is a woman who has some good qualities, Mistress Overdone is a very clear contrast to the other women during the course of the play…

Question 9

CHARACTER: ISABELLA

• FIRST: MERCY
• SECOND: CHARACTER
• THIRD: CHARACTER / MORAL CODES
• FOURTH: CHARACTER
• FIFTH: CHRISTIANITY / LOVE / CHARACTER
• SIXTH: LAW / JUSTICE / GOVERNANCE

Answer 9

• … All require God’s grace and mercy…
• …She can also be seen as “too cold” and apathy…
• … She maintains the strictest of moral codes…
• … A woman of great intelligence…
• … Shakespeare integrates her Christian beliefs and love for God into her character…
• … She is conscientious that there is a difference between God’s laws and man’s…

Question 10

CHARACTER: JULIET

• FIRST: SHAKESPEARE / CHARACTERS
• SECOND: BEHVAIOUR / HUMAN INSTINCTS
• THIRD: CHARACTER

Answer 10

• …Shakespeare carefully selects his female characters to reflect different kinds of woman with different attitudes and moral principles…
• … She accepts that their behavior was a mutual decision and hence must bear most blame for her Claudio’s pending death….
• …Who is young and youthful…

Question 11

CHARACTER: MARIANA

• FIRST: CHARACTER / ENIGMA
• SECOND: LOVE

Answer 11

• … Adds the enigma of Angelo’s character…

- … Her unconditional love for Angelo…

Question 12

CHARACTER: THE PROVOST

• FIRST: CHARACTER / JUSTICE / MERCY
• SECOND: MERCY / SYMPATHY
• THIRD: MERCY / JUSTICE

Answer 12

• … Although he is an officer of justice and keeper of the prison, he is considerate and merciful…
• … He expresses his sympathy for Claudio…
• … The Provost helps the Friar delay Claudio’s execution despite knowing he is disobeying Angelo’s orders…