Measure for Measure- Angelo

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With close reference to the text, explore Shakespeare's presentation of Angelo in Measure for Measure and consider the ways in which an audience might respond to him.

In Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Angelo is conveyed as a double-sided character. Angelo can be thought of as a modest and moral character given these facts Angelo appears disheartened enough by the end of the play to offer a sincere apology and Angelo tries to resist the temptation that Isabella presents. Alternatively Shakespeare depicts Angelo as an evil man through his treatment of Mariana, the Dukes suspicion of Angelo, his desire for Isabella and his broken promise to Isabella. Although Angelo does not appear in every scene his character remains dominant and the audience still judge him, his motives and his actions through the use Shakespeare makes of other characters views.

At the start of the play the Duke has to leave Vienna, and grants Angelo temporary powers as leader of Vienna while he's gone. One of the main ways Shakespeare presents Angelo's character is through what he says and how he says it. The Duke and Escalus praise him for his great moral character and virtue yet Angelo sees himself as unworthy,

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'Let there be some more test made of my metal'

[Act 1 Scene 1 Line 4]

This shows his modesty as he recognises his own limitations and lack of experience to take on the job. However it could also be seen as false modesty because he may feel it appropriate to doubt himself so that it reflects better and provokes the Duke's praise. This makes the audience curious as to why Angelo was left in charge and how he will cope with such great responsibility. Angelo's character is also revealed through what other characters say about him as shown in Act 1 Scene and . Angelo isn't present in these scenes but we learn that he is being very harsh in enforcing the laws as he wants all brothels closed down and he sentences Claudio to death for committing fornication. The Duke portrays Angelo as 'A man of stricture and firm abstinence' stating that he will apply the laws strictly but it seems that the Duke is unsure of Angelo's true capacities and honour,

' … Hence shall we see

If power change purpose, what our seemers be.'

[Act 1 Scene Lines 5-54]

This suggests that there may be more to Angelo and implies that appearances can be deceiving. The positioning of these lines at the end of the scene both add emphasis to this pronouncement which suggests that the Duke's primary reason is to test his suspicions about Angelo's virtue and honour. Due to this the audience may sympathise with him but it also seems to imply that Shakespeare is inviting the audience to watch this intricate story unfold.

In Act Scene when Angelo discovers that Claudio has a sister, and one who is very attractive, we see a corrupt side to his character and his actions. Shakespeare presents us with a very enlightening soliloquy from Angelo. Angelo talks of himself as dead flesh ('the carrion') lying next to a fragrant violet that rots under the sun, which represents Isabella. Here Shakespeare shows how Angelo is being self- critical. In addition to this, Shakespeare's use of short rhetorical questions in quick succession demonstrates Angelo's bewilderment and state of mental disturbance,

'What's this? What's this? Is this her fault, or mine?'

Here we see for the first time how easily and how powerfully he can be tempted by Isabella's beauty and purity. He appears self- condemnatory and highly critical of himself because he sees these sexual desires as being evil, which is why he is being so hard on himself. Shakespeare includes in his speech an analogy about thieves and judges to represent Angelo's feelings that he shouldn't be punishing Claudio for what he himself is guilty of. Angelo explores his feelings in a tortured way and asks himself how he can be tempted to sin by the attractions of an innocent

In both Act Scenes and 4 the audience witness the collapse of Angelo's integrity as judge in the face of irresistible passion. In the opening soliloquy of Act Scene 4 Angelo's state of mind has changed compared with that which ended Scene . He doesn't seem to be able to focus on praying and anything other than Isabella, suggesting that he will throw away his moral values and sin in order to satisfy his needs,

'Let's write good angel on the devil's horn-

'Tis not the devil's crest.

[Act Scene 4 Lines 16-17]

Here Shakespeare makes uses of antithesis because as he sees that he to is prone to sin

He is ashamed because he saw it as wrong to put himself in a position where there is no acceptable way of responding to his feelings. Angelo's tone as he recognises his lust is almost forlorn and repentant; he recognises his own weaknesses, which seem to cause him pain, as he still desires to stay good but he thinks he is being corrupted by his feelings for Isabella. Act Scene 4 is an important scene because it highlights the hypocrisy of Angelo and also presents him as a degenerate man. Later in Scene 4 Angelo tells Isabella that there is no way to save Claudio's life so he is to die deservedly, but then he puts it to her that the only way to save his life is to have sex with a person who has influence over the judge or is powerful. Here Shakespeare makes use of dramatic irony because the audience knows what he's proposing to Isabella and understand Angelo's hypothetical argument, unlike Isabella. Isabella responds by saying that she would rather under go any manner of punishment rather than 'yield my body up to shame' by having illicit sex. Angelo is very sarcastic and taunts Isabella with his power. Angelo believes that it's her modesty, which makes Isabella more attractive and arouses his desires more strongly. Angelo is forced to reveal his blatant lust and is resolute in his insistence that either Isabella have sex with him, or her brother dies. Isabella acknowledges that she's been trapped by Angelo's alternating condemnation and approval of Claudio's act. Angelo uses emotional blackmail and misuses his power because he threatens her and appears cunning, confident and manipulative. In his final speech of the scene, lines 15-16 Angelo has succumbed to the full flow of his passions and appears more confidant because he's adamant that no one will believe her because of his reputation. The true nature of Angelo's character is revealed, and he comes across as a complete hypocrite, who dictates rules to others about morality, but refuses to observe them himself. He's sentenced Claudio to death for the same crime he wants to pursue therefore it seems that he's willing to bend the rules to satisfy his own pleasures.

Angelo does not re-appear until Act 4 Scene 4, yet his desires and decisions dominate the action of the play. In Act Scene 1 the audience's perceptions of Angelo are confirmed because, oddly enough, the Duke reveals the truth about Angelo's past to Isabella. Angelo is portrayed as cold-hearted because he's only interested in Mariana's dowry, which conveys him as mercenary and materialistic. Just like Claudio he promised to marry Mariana but due to her brother's death she couldn't

give a sufficient dowry. Angelo tried to justify what he did by accusing Mariana of being unfaithful, which shows him to be selfish because he puts himself before her and ruins her reputation. In Act Scene we get more insights into Angelo's character from Lucio, and learn of the Duke's plan to condemn Angelo. Shakespeare makes use of hyperbole in Lucios description of Angelo,

'…when he makes water, his urine is

congealed ice'

[Act Scene Lines 106-107]

It is deliberate exaggeration used for dramatic effect and conveys Angelo

However, there must be something to redeem him because even though he betrayed Mariana, she still loves him and in Act 4 Scene 1, Mariana, for the love of Angelo, agrees to have sex with him on Isabella's behalf and after she has done so, he breaks his promise and confirms the order that Claudio must die. He requires Claudio's head as evidence and also orders the execution of Barnardine. Thus, he proves himself to be an immoral person, a liar and a hypocrite. In Act 4 Scene 1 the audience may to some extent sympathise with Angelo because of the planned assignation with Isabella/Mariana. However given the qualities of his character presented throughout the rest of the play, they are more likely to see it as a well-deserved comeuppance. Shakespeare presents Angelo from the Duke's point of view, insisting that he is

'abstemious' and 'just', but the Duke obviously doesn't mean this. Dramatic irony is used in lines 77-81 because the audience know of Angelo's true intentions, but the

Duke defends him by saying that if he were doing what others are doing that would mean he's 'tyrannous', but he isn't, therefore he's dealing out justice. Having the Duke say this when he also knows of Angelo's true characteristics is intended by Shakespeare to highlight the true extent of Angelo's hypocrisy. In addition to this the dramatic effect of the messenger having to add oral instructions from Angelo at this point is to help bring out the dreadfulness of Angelo's betrayal when the audience finally discover it.

Angelo is reintroduced to us in Act 4 Scene 4 after a long absence, during which the audience have learnt of the Dukes plan to set him up then publicly shame him. He seems anxious and guilt-ridden at the Duke's return. Angelo explains his reasons for breaking his promise, and his conscience seems to bother him and this proves him to be an immoral person. Again we get a soliloquy from Angelo, providing yet more insights into his thoughts and feelings. He seems to regret his actions and appears in a state of agitation

'Would yet…We would not'

[Act 4 Scene 4 Lines 0-]

Here Shakespeare uses repetition to reinforce Angelo's guilt and the remorse, but he was only looking out for himself and he's calculating. He uses his power to have Claudio executed because he is scared of what would have happened to him. Angelo believes that if he had allowed Claudio to live then he would have sought revenge on Angelo for having kept his life in such a dishonourable way. It is impossible for the audience to feel sorry for Angelo because although he shows remorse he only feels sorry for himself.

From Act 4 Scene 4 to the end of the play, we see Angelo, not as the dominant cause of others' plans and actions but at the mercy of the Duke. The audience are lead to thinking that he might still escape detection but still tries to assert himself. He appears overconfident, believing that the power of his reputation will shield him from the accusations. In the final scene, when the truth is unmasked about Angelo and he

realises what the potential consequences of his deeds might be; at last, he shows remorse, repentance, pleads for forgiveness, and accepts whatever punishment is forthcoming. However he only acknowledges the crimes when confronted by the Duke. The audience may feel that Angelo is totally undeserving of such mercy especially after the grief he caused Isabella and the rest of Vienna. However, the audience may be a little more sympathetic when watching a stage production of 'Measure for Measure' due to the characters body language, facial expressions and delivery of lines. Angelos repentance seems a bit abrupt, especially his statement that he deserves to die for what he has done. Hardly ever before in the play has Angelo thought that the rules that apply to others, like Claudio, should apply to him as well. That he would condemn himself to the same, admittedly over-harsh, punishment that Claudio was sentenced to seems a little unlikely in the context of his character. At the end of 'Measure for Measure' the audience may feel dissatisfied especially with Angelo's punishment because Shakespeare builds up suspense and Angelo's comeuppance is disappointing. However the structure of the play brings about the ultimate unmasking of Angelo and his devious ways in a very orderly way.

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