Erica Brotzman
Here is the compiled “Measure for Measure” Expositions and Forwards
Exposition and Forwards
Thursday, October 30th, 2008
Posted by Amy Szerlong
Group 3 (Erica, Sam and Amy) met during class period to begin discussing our analysis, and we ended up comparing our notes from Henry IV on these topics to help clarify. Here's what we came up with as a culmination of handouts, our notes, and examples given in class.
Exposition
- when/where is it delivered and how?
- who knows what? who doesn't?
- what is it I need to know to move on?
- what do we NEED to know in order to advance?
- Example: In Act I Scene II of Henry IV, the audience learns the following: Falstaff is older and a drunkard. Hal foots the bill for his idiot and thieving friends.
- So, exposition is basic facts about relationships, characters and the environment€¦
Forwards
- what makes the play advance?
- arouses audience interest in things to come
- causes us to ask questions
- again, moves play forward
- Shakespeare dominated by forwards, (good plays and titles are dominated by forwards€¦)
- Examples: In Henry IV – Robbery (tricking Falstaff), Mortimer's plot to go against the king, initial line of play (exposition development€¦) war = who will win?, Hotspur called in front of king
This is as far as we got today. We are aware that these aren't the most extensive series of notes, but since none of us have had the opportunity to finish reading Measure for Measure, we disbanded early to squeeze in some extra reading time! Additions are welcome!
Exposition and Forward, Act 1, Scenes 1 & 2
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
Sam Beaver
Act 1, Sc. 1
Exposition
- Escalus is a trustworthy advisor and is very intelligent. (some know)
- Angelo, who is currently a deputy, will be placed in charge of the government when the Duke is absent. (Duke knows, Escalus knows)
- We are in Vienna (everyone knows)
- The duke has decided to leave Vienna for reasons unknown to us. (Some know)
- Duke is going to leave secretly; Angelo will take over immediately. (Angelo, Duke, and Escalus know)
Forward
- The Duke is leaving. The audience wonders why, wants to find out what will happen.
- Angelo is put in charge, and is given FULL POWER over the people ("lent him our terror"). How will he rule? We want to see what he will do with the power that the Duke has given him.
- It is stressed that Angelo is virtuous, makes the audience hungry to see if he will live up to the expectations of him. The stress put upon Angelo's virtue is an important set up to the realization that he is morally corrupt later in the play.
- The Duke leaves with haste. Why does he do this?
Essentially, this scene is presenting where we are and examining the first action of the play, which is the Duke's decision to depart. We want to know why he is leaving, and we also are anticipating the rule of Angelo, who up to this point has been described in a very positive manner.
Act 1, Sc. 2
Exposition
- Lucio's opening line tells us that there is governmental instability, even war. (everyone knows)
- The men are not wealthy, upper class individuals, seen from their discussion of STDs and their disdain for religion.(everyone knows)
- Overdone enters and we learn that she is a prostitute through the men's joking. (most people know)
- She tells that Claudio has been arrested and is going to be executed in three days. (she knows, now they know)
- Claudio got arrested for knocking up Juliet.(Overdone knows, now Lucio knows)
- Angelo has decreed that all the brothels in the suburbs are getting shut down, Overdone goes to have sex with Pompey.(some know)
- Claudio and Juliet are in love and basically married, but never had the ceremony because of their poverty.(Only Claudio and Juliet know)
- Angelo is bringing back old laws that hadn't been adhered to in the past several years; this is why Claudio was arrested.(Everyone knows?)
- Claudio proposes using Isabella to stop his execution; Lucio goes to find her. (Only Claudio and Lucio know)
Forward
- Overdone says someone is in prison; we want to know who it is. (miniature forward)
- Gives three days till his head is chopped off; the audience is eager to find out what will happen in those three days.
- Lucio exits to find Claudio, we wonder what he will do for him.
- It is revealed that Claudio and Juliet are in love; now he's been condemned wrongfully. We want to see resolution, so we continue to watch.
- Lucio leaves to find Isabella. Will she help? Will he even find her?
- Angelo's rule is thrown into question with his arresting of Cluadio. What will be done about him?
These opening scenes are a lot about setting up the play for things to come, which is why some of the larger plot points are opened in these first two scenes. There is a lot that is left unresolved, so there is a lot for the audience to be hanging on to right now. To use ball's term, the audience is "hungry for the next."
Exposition and Forward, Act 1, Scenes 3 & 4
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
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.
Exposition and Forward, Act 2, Scene 1
Monday, November 17th, 2008
Sam Beaver,
Act 2 Sc. 1,
Exposition
- Angelo tells Escalus that the law must be rigid, immobile. (Some know)
- Escalus tells Angelo that they shouldn't kill Claudio because no one is faultless, and his crime was not that severe.
- Escalus acknowledges the dangerous balance between sympathy and legality, and feels bad for Claudio.
Forward
- Escalus warns Angelo not to be too tough with the law, because he might end up committing a crime himself one day, but Angelo says he wants the law to treat him strictly if he ever does fail. (Foreshadowing his indiscretions)
Though this scene is mainly for the comedy of Elbow, Froth and Pompey, there are still a few major points made about the caracters of Angelo and Escalus. As we have seen earlier, Escalus is known as the most knowledgeable man in Vienna according to the Duke. So if he is disagreeing with Angelo's decisions, what does this say about Angelo? Perhaps he is not as fit of a leader as they once thought..
Act 2 Sc. 2,
Exposition
- Provost tells Angelo that Juliet is about to give birth.
- Isabella goes to Angelo and says though she agrees with the justice system she still wants to save Claudio.
- Angelo still refuses to save Claudio; Isabella begins to seduce him. (advice from Lucio)
- Isabella makes him change his mind with her seduction; leads to him telling her to return tomorrow.
- Angelo desires Isabella because of her virginity and purity, so he plans on bribing her with Claudio's life. (only Angelo knows this)
Forward
-
Exposition and Forwards – Act II Scenes 3 & 4
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
by Amy Szerlong
Act II, Scene 3
Exposition: (As categorized by who knows what€¦)
- Duke is disguised as the friar (only audience knows this)
- Claudio is to die tomorrow (only some know€¦Juliet actually finds out at the end of this scene)
Forward:
- Everyone learns that the sex between Juliet and Claudio was consensual, and that they loved each other (This urges the Duke to clear Claudio's name, since this act is not as lecherous as once thought€¦)
Act II, Scene 4
Exposition:
- Isabella goes to Angelo to plead for her brother's forgiveness (only she, her brother, and disguised duke know)
Forwards:
- Angelo asks Isabella for her virginity in exchange for her brother's life
- Isabella rejects Angelo's request; goes to ready her brother for his death
So I feel as though I'm running a bit short on exposition here, especially in scene 4. If anyone has anything I missed in either category, please feel free to comment!
Forwards and Exposition: Act III
Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
by Amy Szerlong
Exposition and Forwards: Act III, Scene1
Exposition:
- Duke still dressed as friar (audience knows)
- Isabella tells Claudio of Angelo's proposition
- Duke reveals self and tells Claudio that REGARDLESS of Isabella's actions, Angelo is just exercising his power and influence, he still needs to ready himself for death (says a lot about Angelo as a character, and does not ensure Claudio's fate, though Duke willing to help)*
- Duke tells Isabella about Mariana and her relationship with Angelo (only Duke and Isabella know)
Forwards:
- Duke hides and eavesdrops on conversation between Isabella and Claudio (when she tells him of Angelo's proposition – encourages Duke to help them)
- Duke devises plan to involve Mariana and trick Angelo into sleeping with his former fiancée, restoring Mariana's virtue and ruin Angelo (saves Isabella from humiliation and might save Claudio from death)
*I am a bit confused on whether this would be an exposition or a forward, merely because I'm not sure why the Duke tells Claudio this. Although ultimately we discover that Angelo IS completely untrustworthy and sentences Claudio to death anyway, I am not sure that the Duke asks him to ready himself for death because he just wants to prepare him for the worst (if he can't come up with a plan to save him) or he is going a long with his role as the friar or if he just knows how well Angelo works, and he is revealing to the audience what a hypocritical and mean character Angelo is? Thoughts?
Act III, Scene 2
I am having a problem with this scene because a large portion of the scene seems to be taken up with sexual innuendo and ridiculous accusations. Due to the fact that so many sexual innuendos are made, it's confusing to know whether these accusations are serious and therefore what is exposition and what is a forward – aka what actually matters. Although all of it was written with intent, and it fits in with a play that focuses so largely on (to quote Walter) "sexual tension, sexual frustration, and ethical questions regarding sex" I just am not exactly sure what to pick out and what not to. SO I thought I'd ask the class? Has anyone found any other scenes with Pompey, Elbow, and Lucio that may help the understanding of this scene? What in their previous scenes impacts this scene? Please comment!
Exposition and Forwards: Act IV, Scenes 1 & 2
Sunday, November 16th, 2008
by Amy Szerlong
Act IV, Scene 1
Exposition:
( Everyone knows both of these)
- Duke still in disguise
- Isabella has gone to Angelo and agreed to "see him" in the garden that night (This needs clarification, those characters who know about the proposition know – Duke, Angelo, Isabella – but Angelo does not know he isn't actually meeting Isabella)
Forwards:
- Isabella has gone to Angelo and agreed to "see him" in the garden that night (This is also a forward because of the fact that she agrees to meet him in the garden. This ensures darkness so the switch can occur.)
- Mariana agrees to take part in the switch as long as the "friar" thinks its ok. (Again, this allows the switch to take place and the plan to ruin Angelo to move ahead.)
Act IV, Scene 2
Exposition
- Duke still dressed like a friar
- Provost looking for an assistant for the executioner, promises whichever prisoner who agrees their freedom (prisoners know)
- Pompey agrees to help executioner (prisoner's know)
- Angelo sends a message asking for Claudio's head on a platter by 5 (Provost, prison guards and Duke knows)
Forwards
- Angelo sends a message asking for Claudio's head on a platter by 5 (This confirms the Duke's suspicion that Angelo would still not let Claudio go, even with Isabella following through with her part of the bargain. Also, it raises the stakes for Claudio's survival.)
- Duke convinces the provost to kill the other prisoner and give HIS head on a platter to Angelo, as Angelo will probably be unable to tell the difference. (This extends the time needed for the Duke to return and pardon Claudio.)
- The prisoner refuses to be executed. (This throws a wrench in the works€¦)
- They give the head of a pirate instead. (New solution to an old problem)
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?
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