Exposition and Forward, Act 1, Scenes 3 & 4

Sam Beaver, Act 1, Sc. 3, Exposition 

•  Duke is hiding out in a friar’s cell.(only Duke knows)
• He has spread word that he left for Poland, but really remains in Vienna.  (Duke knows)
• Says that he cannot handle the office, and wished to observe Angelo/ leave Vienna in the hands of someone more strict than he is.  (Duke knows)
• He wants to see if Angelo will let the power go to his head.  (Duke knows)

Forward

•  The Duke is spying on Angelo. What will become of the situation?  Will Angelo succeed?  Audience wants to know

This scene’s purpose is to introduce the forward of “Hence we shall see, If power changes purpose, what our seemers be.”  The Duke wishes to discover Angelo’s true character through giving him the powers of the duke.  This forward wants the audience to recognize that power may very well change purpose, and they need to wait and see what the change will be.Act 1 Sc. 4, Exposition

•  Isabella is introduced; she is hopefully going to become a nun. (she knows)
• Isabella is a virgin. (she knows)
• She finds out that her brother has been imprisoned. (Everyone knows by now)
• Angelo wishes to make an example of Claudio, prompts Isabella’s decision to go rescue her brother.(Only Isabella knows)

Forward

•  Now that Isabella knows about her brother, will she succeed in saving him?
• Again, we are wondering if Angelo will actually proceed in killing Claudio just to make an example.