William Shakespeare – Measure for Measure (Detailed Act and Scene-wise Summary)
Measure for Measure (written c. 1603–1604) is one of Shakespeare’s great “problem plays” — balancing comedy, tragedy, and moral debate. Set in Vienna, it examines justice, mercy, hypocrisy, and virtue through the story of Duke Vincentio, who leaves his city under the rule of the strict Angelo, only to return in disguise and test his subjects. The play unfolds through five acts and sixteen scenes, ending with both punishment and forgiveness.
Act I – Authority and Hypocrisy (4 Scenes)
Scene 1 – The Duke Delegates Power
Duke Vincentio announces his departure from Vienna, appointing Angelo as deputy ruler. He secretly stays in the city disguised as a friar to observe how power is exercised. The Duke says, “Hence shall we see if power change purpose, what our seemers be.” This foreshadows the theme of appearance vs. reality.
Scene 2 – Vice and Corruption
In the streets, Lucio and others discuss the city’s growing immorality. Claudio, a young nobleman, is arrested for impregnating his fiancée Juliet before marriage — an offence under Angelo’s revived laws. This shows Angelo’s rigid enforcement of morality.
Scene 3 – The Duke’s Disguise
The Duke, disguised as Friar Lodowick, explains that he left Angelo in charge to test his virtue and to reform the city indirectly. He plans to watch how power reveals true character.
Scene 4 – Isabella’s Plea Begins
Isabella, Claudio’s sister, a novice in a convent, learns of his arrest. Lucio persuades her to plead for her brother’s life before Angelo. Her strict virtue and eloquence will soon test Angelo’s hypocrisy.
Act II – Law, Temptation, and Power (4 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Angelo’s Judgment
Angelo insists on Claudio’s execution to uphold justice. Escalus urges mercy, but Angelo refuses, claiming “When I that censure him do so offend, let mine own judgment pattern out my death.” His words later prove ironic.
Scene 2 – Isabella and Angelo’s First Meeting
Isabella pleads for Claudio’s life, arguing: “No ceremony that to great ones ’longs, not the king’s crown, nor the deputed sword, the marshal’s truncheon, nor the judge’s robe, become them with one half so good a grace as mercy does.” Angelo, struck by her purity, feels lust for her. He begins to corrupt internally: “What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine?”
Scene 3 – The Duke as Friar Visits the Prison
The disguised Duke comforts Claudio and advises spiritual repentance. He observes human weakness under strict law.
Scene 4 – Angelo’s Proposition
Angelo summons Isabella again and shocks her with a cruel bargain — he will spare Claudio’s life only if she surrenders her virginity. Isabella refuses: “More than our brother is our chastity.” The play’s central conflict—justice vs. morality—is now explicit.
Act III – Corruption Exposed (2 Scenes)
Scene 1 – Claudio’s Despair
Isabella tells Claudio of Angelo’s demand. Claudio, at first brave, then falters: “Death is a fearful thing.” Isabella, horrified by his weakness, condemns him. The Duke overhears and devises a plan: Mariana, Angelo’s former fiancée, will take Isabella’s place in the dark—a “bed-trick” to expose hypocrisy.
Scene 2 – The Duke’s Secret Plot
The Duke instructs the Provost to prepare the bed trick and later delay Claudio’s execution. The stage is set for justice to unfold by deception.
Act IV – Justice Through Deception (6 Scenes)
Scene 1 – The Bed Trick
At the Duke’s direction, Mariana meets Angelo in the dark, posing as Isabella. Angelo believes he has seduced Isabella, promising Claudio’s release. The Duke’s plan works—but Angelo decides to execute Claudio anyway.
Scene 2 – The Death Order
The Provost receives Angelo’s command to behead Claudio. The Duke, still disguised, intercepts the order and substitutes the head of a condemned pirate, Ragozine. This act of clever mercy saves Claudio’s life in secret.
Scene 3 – The Duke’s Instructions
The Duke tells the Provost to keep Claudio hidden and to prepare for his public return as ruler. Justice and irony converge.
Scene 4 – Angelo’s Guilt
Angelo, tormented by guilt, says: “This deed unshapes me quite.” He fears exposure but believes the Duke is still away.
Scene 5 – The Duke’s Return
Letters announce the Duke’s return. Angelo and Escalus prepare to welcome him, unaware of what awaits.
Scene 6 – Isabella and Mariana Prepare the Truth
The Duke, back in disguise, instructs Isabella and Mariana to petition the Duke (himself) for justice when he “returns” publicly. A brilliant trap is set.
Act V – Judgment and Mercy (1 Scene)
Scene 1 – Revelation and Resolution
At a grand assembly, Isabella accuses Angelo of hypocrisy before the Duke (still disguised). Angelo denies it. The Duke leaves, then returns as himself, revealing the truth of the disguise. Claudio is shown alive, Mariana is restored to Angelo in marriage, and the Duke proposes to Isabella, symbolizing the union of virtue and authority. Angelo begs for death, but the Duke replies: “Measure still for measure.” Mercy triumphs over justice.
Major Themes and Ideas
- Justice and Mercy: The Duke’s disguised experiment contrasts divine mercy with human law.
- Hypocrisy: Angelo’s fall from saintly image to corruption reveals moral duality.
- Chastity and Virtue: Isabella embodies unyielding moral strength.
- Power and Authority: Rulers’ moral responsibilities mirror divine justice.
- Appearance vs. Reality: The Duke’s disguise and Angelo’s mask of virtue expose the theme.
- Forgiveness: The conclusion emphasizes redemption over punishment.
Key Characters
- Duke Vincentio: Ruler of Vienna; wise, manipulative, tests justice through disguise.
- Angelo: Deputy Duke; hypocrite who enforces law but falls to temptation.
- Isabella: Novice nun; moral center of the play, advocate of mercy and chastity.
- Claudio: Isabella’s brother; condemned for fornication, symbolizes human weakness.
- Mariana: Angelo’s former betrothed, instrument of poetic justice.
- Lucio: Comic libertine, voice of street wit.
- Escalus: Kind and wise counselor; counterpoint to Angelo’s severity.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Composition | c. 1603–1604 |
| Genre | Problem Play / Tragicomedy |
| Setting | Vienna |
| Acts & Scenes | 5 Acts, 16 Scenes |
| Major Themes | Justice, Mercy, Hypocrisy, Power, Chastity, Appearance vs. Reality |
| Symbols | Disguise, Law, Bed-Trick, Prison |
| Famous Lines | “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.” / “Measure for measure.” |
| Ending | Angelo exposed; mercy granted; Duke proposes to Isabella. |
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