Exposition and Forwards- Act IV Scenes 3-6, Act V Scene 1

Exposition and Forwards – Act IV Scenes 3-6 and Act V Scene 1

Erica Brotzman

 

Act IV Scenes 3-6

 

Scene 3

Exposition

  • Barnadine is to be executed today.
  • Barnadine has been drinking all night
  • The Duke is still disguised as a friar. (only the Duke/audience know)
  • Provost and the Duke (friar) are conspiring together to save Claudio's life as they both believe that he should not be put to death for his crimes.
  • Provost respect the Duke (friar) because of his profession and he is willing to follow his plans.
  • The Duke plans to write Angelo stating that he is close to home.  (only the Duke knows).
  • The Duke lies to Isabella and states that Claudio has been executed and the Duke is to return tomorrow. (only the Duke knows that this is a blatant lie)
  • Lucio confesses to the Friar that he denied impregnating a women to the Duke. Little does he know he has just confessed his lie to the Duke himself.

 

Forwards

  • Calling Barnadine to rise and be put to death.  Will he truly be executed today?
  • Provost proposes to the Duke that instead of executing Barnadine and using his head to trick Angelo, that they should use another man's head who has died of a fever earlier in the day. Whose head shall they use in order to postpone Claudio's execution?  Will Angelo find out that Claudio is still alive? 
  • The Duke lies to Isabella about the execution.  Will she believe him?  How will she take the news?
  • The Duke (friar) states that the Duke shall return tomorrow.  How will the Duke come back into power?  Will the people be at ease to know that justice will once again be served? 

 

Scene 4

Exposition

  • Only the Duke knows the underlying meanings behind his orders to Escalus and Angelo.
  • Angelo is worried of the gossip that may ensue due to his relations with Isabella.  Only the Duke and Isabella and Mariana know that Angelo actually had sexual relations with Mariana, not Isabella.
  • Only Angelo knows that Claudio should not have been put to death.  He does not know that the head he received wasn't actually Claudio's and that Claudio is still alive.

 

Forwards

  • Why must Angelo and Escalus meet the Duke at the gates on his arrival?  Why must people present petitions in the street. 
  • Angelo is worried that Isabella may tell of his disgraceful act of taking a maiden's virginity and then putting to death a man of the same crime. What will come of Angelo?  Will Isabella talk? 

 

Scene 5

Exposition

  • The Duke returns as himself.  Only he knows that he has been in Vienna the whole time. 

Forwards

  • What do the letters that Friar Peter carries say?
  • What will the Duke reveal to Varrius?

 

Scene 6

Exposition

 

Forwards

  • Mariana and Isabella confer about whether or not to out Angelo.  Will Isabella and Mariana tell of his sin?

 

Act V, Scene 1

 

Exposition

  • The Duke has arrived.  Again only he knows that he has been in Vienna the whole time.
  • Everyone is complying with the Duke's plans, even though they think the plans were given by the friar. 
  • The Duke lies and tells Angelo he is thankful and proud of his work while he was gone. 
  • Isabella has confessed her and Angelo's sin.  The Duke plays dumb though he knows she speaks the truth.
  • Angelo admits to once being engaged to Mariana. 
  • The Duke once again questions Mariana, though he already knows her answers.
  • The Duke is disguised as the friar he has been portraying. 
  • The Duke orders Angelo's execution in exchange for Claudio's even though only he and Provost know that Claudio is still alive. 

 

Forwards

  • The Dukes return.  How shall he resolve the situation?  Will he right things in Vienna?
  • Why does the Duke seem so cold to Isabella in front of Angelo even though he knows of her honesty?
  • Mariana arrives.  Will she reveal her and Isabella's scheme?
  • Marian reveals that Angelo has been tricked. 
  • The Dukes disguised return.  Will he reveal himself?  What will he say of his schemes with the women?
  • Mariana pleads with the Duke to not execute her future husband.  Will the duke comply?
  • Bernadine and Claudio are led into the city.  Isabella finally finds out that Claudio is alive.
  • The Duke asks for Isabella's hand in marriage.  Will she accept?