But Do It Backwards- Act 2

By Eric Houdek 

-Isabella decides to go visit Claudio in prison and tell him of Angelo’s request. 

-Angelo tells Isabella that nobody will believe her.  He also adds that if she does not accept his proposition, her brother will suffer a long and painful death.  Angelo tells Isabella that she has one day to decide whether she will accept his proposition and exits. 

-Isabella threatens to tell everyone about Angelo’s request.

-Angelo reasserts that Claudio will not die if  Isabella does accepts his request for sexual relations.  The seriousness of his request is established. 

-Isabella tells Angelo that he is a hypocrite for putting Claudio death for loving Juliet, while he is in the act of stating his love for her. 

-Angelo tells Isabella that she is being just as much as a tyrant as she is accusing him of being.  He adds that he truly loves her.   

-Isabella claims that she cannot redeem her brother through sin.   

-Angelo asks Isabella if she would have sexual relations with him in order to save her brother.  (“treasures of your body”)

-Isabella responds that it would be worth a sin to save her brother life. 

-Angelo asks Isabella if it would be worth sin to save her brother’s life.

Scene 3

-The Duke tells Juliet that he will leave to see her lover, who will die the next day.   

-Juliet repents her sin.   

-The Duke realizes that the sexual encounter between Claudio and Juliet was consentual.(“mutually committed”) 

-The Duke initiates conversation with Juliet, asking her if she repents of her sin.   

-Juliet enters the prison.   

-The Duke enters the prison disguised as a Friar. 

Scene 2 

-Angelo realizes that he sexually desires Juliet. 

-As she leaves, Isabella tells Angelo that she would bribe him.

-Angelo tells Isabella to return the next day. 

-Isabella continues to plead with Angelo.   

-Lucio tells Isabella to touch Angelo.

– Isabella continues to plead with Angelo. 

-Lucio tells Isabella to continue pleading with Angelo.

-Angelo tells Isabella that those who break the law must be punished.   

-Isabella says she abhors Claudio’s vice, but begs for his pardon.   

-Isabella enters.