Adam B. Ferguson
Group 4
Vice vs. Piety: Several character in the play seem to over indulge or in things or either are too strict. Measure for Measure attempts to punish those who are too lewd, and teach those who are too pious, by the time the end is reached.
Temptation: Whether a person can resist temptation is a sign of how good or wicked they actually are. Temptation plays on the tendency of human nature to be flawed and vulnerable, and those who allow themselves to be tempted too far are weak of character.
Disguise: Disguise allows all of the Duke’s plans to take place. Without disguise, and the way the Duke uses and abuses the privileges that this disguise affords him, many events in the play would not have taken place at all.
I would add a theme to that list.
Nobility: throughout the play, the meassure is not ‘how good or how bad’.
Rather than using an utilitarian principle only to determine placement and judgment of the different characters, given the struggle with temptation aforementioned, the ‘noble’ aspect of the actions is the important factor.
For example, thinking of mystery according to Ball, the character’s intentions might seem clear. But, is not the intention that will be judged if not the actual-action.
Isabella’s character would put herself before Angelo. She would indulge in sin even when she upholds her purity as her flag.
“If that be sin, I’ll make it my morning prayer
to have it added to the faults of mine…” (p.46)
To this statement, Angelo answers by saying she is either ignorant or not good -regarding her manipulative skills.
It is through this discussion that Shakespeare puts forwards the theme of nobility.
As an example of wisdom vs. ignorance, Isabella prefers to take the RIGHT decision instead of the good one. This virgin would indulge in sin to save her brother.
If this means she is ignorant, she fully embraces her folly. For it is her essence, a noble one.
“Let me be ignorant, and in nothing good,
But graciously to know I am no better.”
She is what she is, and her ignorance can be bliss, if it is of things not rightful.
This can be considered a bad thing but, according to the purpose behind such claim, it is of a noble kind.
To nobility we should attach Honour.
Provost
“God save your honour”.(p.33)