THEME OF JUSTICE Flashcards
How does the play present the theme of Justice?
The title “Measure for measure” is taken from the bible, making it the only play in Shakespeare’s corpus to do this. “For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.. The play explores the concepts embedded in that line from every direction.
Escalus emphasises the importance of the apperance of justice but still recognises the states right to use violence
Let us be keen and cut a little/ than fall and bruise to death
Angelo decrees reflect his own intrasigent views on justice
“We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,…..till custom make it Their perch and not their terror”
Claudio makes a satirical critic towards Angelos growing narcissism and inflated self-image who perhaps in his “brief authority” likens himself to a God-like figure with divine jurisdiction.
Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down for our offence by weight
The words of heaven; on whom it will, it will;
On whom it will not,
The duke uses Angelo as a scapegoat as Angelo will be assigned the label of tyrant while the duke can set himself as the ideological antithesis to Angelo as the tolerant diplomat, and the great liberator. Thus, Shakespeare presents justice, law and punishment as political instruments or social tools that the powerful play with to consolidate their power.
‘twas my fault to give the people scope, ‘twould be my tyranny to strike and gall them for what I bid them do
Isabella expresses the New Testament ethos of “judge not lest ye be judged
If He, which is the top of judgment, should
But judge you as you are? O, think on that;
And mercy then will breathe within your lips,
Like man new made.
Isabella mediates on the appeal of power but warns power without restraint is tyranny. Prompting a reflection on power dynamics and the ethical imperatives surrounding restraint and benevolence.
O it is excellent to have a giants strength but tyrannous to use it like a giant
