Shakespeare: Measure for Measure | Isabella juxtaposed to Mistress Overdone | Notes

 Mistress Overdone and Isabella are two of the most prominent female characters in William Shakespeare’s "Measure for Measure". Despite the fact that they are both women living in the same patriarchal society, their experiences and characteristics differ drastically. While Mistress Overdone represents the harsh reality of the societal limitations and restrictions placed upon women, Isabella represents the ideal of moral and religious virtue. 

To begin with, Mistress Overdone is a character who runs a brothel in Vienna. Her character represents the harsh reality of the societal limitations and restrictions placed upon women in Elizabethan England. Her establishment is seen as a place where men indulge in immoral and illicit activities, and her character is depicted as a symbol of the moral decay of society. Her dialogue and behavior reflect a sense of cynicism and resignation to the societal norms that have led her to her current position in life.

In contrast, Isabella is a character who is a devout nun, representing the ideal of moral and religious virtue. She is uncompromising in her values and beliefs, and her character serves to challenge the societal norms and double standards that exist within the play. When Angelo, the deputy ruler of Vienna, proposes a sexual arrangement with her in exchange for her brother's release from prison, Isabella refuses, stating, “More than our brother is our chastity” (2.4.200). Her commitment to her religious vows and her uncompromising stance on morality serve as a foil to the corruption and moral decay that exist within the play.

Another major contrast between the two characters is their economic situation. Mistress Overdone is depicted as a woman who is trying to make a living in a society that has limited options for women. Her profession is seen as controversial and taboo, and she is often looked down upon by society. However, she is also shown to be compassionate towards her employees and is willing to help them when they are in need. This is highlighted when she offers to bail out Pompey, one of her employees, from jail.

Isabella, on the other hand, comes from a wealthy and privileged background. She is a noblewoman who has chosen to become a nun and live a life of poverty and chastity. Her character represents the societal expectations placed on women of her class to remain chaste and virtuous. This is highlighted in her dialogue with Claudio, her brother, where she states, “To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, / Who would believe me?” (2.4.146-147). Her words reflect the societal pressure on women to maintain their purity and the lack of agency that they have in patriarchal societies.

The two characters also differ in their relationships with men. Mistress Overdone's character is defined by her relationships with men, particularly those who frequent her establishment. Her character is seen as a victim of a patriarchal society that values women based on their sexual purity, and she has had to navigate her way through a society that objectifies and degrades women. This is highlighted in her dialogue with Pompey, where she states, “Well, thou wilt be damned, like an ill-roasted egg, all on one side” (1.2.93-94). Her words reflect the societal view of women as objects of desire, rather than individuals with agency and autonomy.

In contrast, Isabella's character is defined by her rejection of men and her commitment to her religious vows. She refuses Angelo's proposition, stating that she would rather die than compromise her chastity. Her character represents the societal expectations placed on women to remain chaste and virtuous. Isabella's words, "Better it were a brother died at once, / Than that a sister, by redeeming him, / Should die forever" (2.4.121-123), demonstrate her unwavering commitment to her beliefs and her unwillingness to compromise her values for the sake of her brother's freedom. Isabella's character serves as a foil to the societal expectations placed on women to prioritise the well-being of men over their own agency and autonomy.

Furthermore, Mistress Overdone and Isabella differ in their attitudes towards the law. Mistress Overdone is shown to be pragmatic and flexible when it comes to the law, as she understands the limitations of the legal system in addressing societal issues. This is highlighted in her dialogue with Pompey, where she states, "What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo? / Dost thou desire her foully for those things / That make her good?" (2.1.91-93). Her words reflect a sense of cynicism towards the legal system and a belief that societal issues cannot be solved by laws alone.

Isabella, on the other hand, is shown to be uncompromising in her adherence to the law, even when it goes against her personal beliefs. When Claudio is sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée before marriage, Isabella pleads with Angelo to spare her brother's life. However, when Angelo proposes a sexual arrangement in exchange for her brother's release, Isabella refuses, stating, "To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, / Who would believe me?" (2.4.146-147). Her words reflect her belief in the justice system and her unwillingness to compromise her values, even if it means losing her brother.

Clearly, Mistress Overdone and Isabella are two contrasting characters in "Measure for Measure". Mistress Overdone represents the harsh reality of the societal limitations and restrictions placed upon women, while Isabella represents the ideal of moral and religious virtue. The two characters differ in their economic situation, relationships with men, attitudes towards the law, and their adherence to societal expectations. While Mistress Overdone may have contrasting qualities to Isabella, she is not her foil. Their characters serve different purposes within the play, and their roles highlight different societal issues. The stark contrast between the two characters highlights the complexities of societal norms and the limitations placed on women in patriarchal societies.