measure for measure critical quotes Flashcards
what does Dr Johnson say readers feel when Angelo is spared
“Every reader feels some indignation when Angelo is spared.”
George Bernard Shaw shakespeare is ahead of the 17th century
“In Measure for Measure Shakespeare is ready and willing to start at the twentieth century if only the seventeenth would let him.”
Northrop Frye on angelo hypocrisy
“Angelo is…the most contemptible kind of hypocrite.”
Leavis the relatable traits of angelo
“We should see ourselves in Angelo.”
Dollimore- angelos presentation
Angelo is a presentation of “ authoritarian repression.”
Josephine Waters Bennett on isabellas flaws
Isabella’s flaws arise from the her inexperience.
Daryl Gless on Isabella’s spiritual arrogance
Isabella’s preoccupation with her chastity shows
“ spiritual arrogance.”
Rosalind Miles the Duke as a leader
” Ultimate benevolent authority figure”, “kindly father”, “deep moral seriousness of his role”
Hazlitt on the Dukes failings as a leader
The Duke is “more absorbed in his own plots than anxious for the welfare of the state.”
H.R.Coursen on the duke’s image
The Duke is vain, interested in “image mongering”.
David Lloyd Stevenson James 1 and the duke
The play was written partly to flatter James 1 as the Duke is based on many of his attributes.
Tebbetts on shakespeares intentions of comparing james 1 to the duke
The play is based on James but intended to be a sly , subversive attack on the monarch.
William Empson- Duke
“The whole business of public justice is fatuous and hideous.”
Wilbur Dunkel- Duke
“His disguise must not be taken seriously.”
W.W. Lawrence- Duke
“He is essentialy a puppet”
G. Wilson Knight- Duke
“The Duke’s original leniancy is shown to be right”
Robert N Watson marriage
“Marriage as (a) instrument for controlling desire.”
Wilbur Dunkel- the Duke and Isabella
“She gives into the Duke’s immoral bed trick plan because”-“a holy man advises her to do so”
Leavis- Angelo
“He was placed in a position calculated to actualise his worst potentialities.”
Phillip Brookbank on tricks
“The tricks are played to a saving purpose.”
L.C Knights- Angelo
“Angelo’s temptations and fall finely enforces the need for self knowledge and sympathy which seems to be the central moral of the play.”
G. Wilson Knight- Angelo
“Chief faults are self-deception and pride in his own rightousness.”
William Empson- Angelo
“Her coldness, even her rationality, is what excited him.”
William Empson- Context
“There was a strand of loathing for sexuality in any form.”
L. C. knights - Context
“Social forms were being undermined by new forces.
G. Wilson Knight- Isabella
“Isabella has no real affection for Claudio.”
G. Wilson Knight what the characters stand for
“Isabella stands for sainted purity, Angelo for pharisaical righteousness, the Duke… enlightened ethic. Lucio represents indecent wit, Pompey and Mistress Overdone professional immorality. Barnardine is hard headed, criminal insensitiveness .”
Irene McGarity- Isabella
“Holding a hollow sculpture of virtue to hide inside of.”