Shakespeare: Measure for Measure- Mariana used

The question of whether it is fair for the Duke to have used Mariana in Measure for Measure is a complex one. On one hand, it could be argued that the Duke's plan to use Mariana in order to bring about Angelo's downfall was manipulative and potentially harmful to Mariana herself.

Mariana was initially abandoned by Angelo after the loss of her dowry, and it is clear that she still loves him and wants to be with him. The Duke's plan to have her impersonate Isabella and sleep with Angelo in order to secure his redemption could be seen as exploiting her love and loyalty for his own purposes.

On the other hand, it could also be argued that the Duke's plan was necessary in order to bring about justice and restore order to the city. Angelo's abuse of power and attempted rape of Isabella cannot go unpunished, and the Duke's plan, while risky and potentially harmful to Mariana, ultimately achieves this goal.


Furthermore, Mariana herself agrees to the plan and is willing to endure the pain and humiliation that it may cause her. Her willingness to forgive Angelo after his exposure and her decision to marry him at the end of the play suggest that she does not hold any resentment towards the Duke or his plan.


In the end, it is difficult to say whether it was fair for the Duke to use Mariana in this way. While his plan may have been necessary to achieve justice, it also involved risks and potential harm to Mariana. Ultimately, it is up to the individual reader or viewer to decide whether they believe the Duke's actions were justified or not.


Examples of how the Duke manipulates Mariana:

There are several instances in Measure for Measure where Mariana can be seen as a pawn for the Duke. Here are a few quotations that support this argument:

1. In Act 3, Scene 1, the Duke reveals his plan to Isabella, which involves Mariana impersonating her in order to sleep with Angelo and expose his hypocrisy. The Duke tells Isabella, "Mariana bids you come and take your place, / Of brotherhood with her" (lines 178-179), indicating that Mariana is being used as a substitute for Isabella in this plan.

2. In Act 4, Scene 1, the Duke speaks to Mariana and convinces her to agree to the plan. He tells her, "You may not, madam, / Deny the liberty to choose what best / Fits further ends" (lines 20-22), suggesting that Mariana has little choice but to go along with the plan, even if it means sacrificing her own reputation and well-being.

3.In Act 4, Scene 3, Mariana agrees to take on the role of Isabella and sleep with Angelo. When Isabella expresses her concern for Mariana's safety, Mariana responds, "I have known my husband; yet my husband / knows not that ever he knew me" (lines 92-93), indicating that she is willing to deceive Angelo and potentially put herself in harm's way in order to carry out the Duke's plan.

4.After Angelo's exposure and the Duke's return to power, Mariana forgives Angelo and agrees to marry him. In Act 5, Scene 1, she tells the Duke, "He shall marry Isabel, / And to her bed commit this resty [inactive] head" (lines 536-537), suggesting that her forgiveness and decision to marry Angelo may be influenced by the Duke's desires rather than her own.

Indeed, these quotations suggest that Mariana is being used as a pawn by the Duke throughout the play. While Mariana does agree to the plan and ultimately forgives Angelo, it is clear that her actions are heavily influenced by the Duke's manipulation and the desire for justice and order in the city.

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