Shakespeare: Measure for Measure|Isabella |Analysis

 Isabella is main feminine protagonist in William Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure. She is portrayed as a young, devout, and principled woman who is faced with a difficult moral dilemma when her brother is sentenced to death for fornication, which was a crime punishable by death in 17th century Vienna. Isabella's character is complex and multi-layered, and she undergoes significant development throughout the play. This appraisal will explore Isabella's characterisation in Measure for Measure, using examples and quotations to support the analysis.

At the beginning of the play, Isabella is introduced as a novice nun who is about to enter a convent. She is described as "a thing enskied and sainted" (Act I, Scene 1), which highlights her pure and virtuous nature. Isabella is committed to her religious beliefs and is determined to live a life of chastity and celibacy. She is hesitant to intervene in the affairs of the world and is reluctant to leave the safety of the convent. When her brother, Claudio, is sentenced to death for fornication, Isabella is forced to confront the reality of the world outside the convent and grapple with the moral implications of her actions.

Isabella's initial response to her brother's predicament is to plead with Angelo, the temporary ruler of Vienna, to show mercy and spare her brother's life. However, Angelo makes a shocking proposal to Isabella: he will spare her brother's life if she agrees to sleep with him. Isabella is horrified by this proposition and refuses to compromise her principles, declaring:

"To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me?" (Act II, Scene 4)

This shows Isabella's commitment to her religious beliefs and her reluctance to compromise her chastity, even in the face of her brother's impending death. Isabella is also aware of the power dynamics at play and recognises that, as a woman, she is unlikely to be believed or taken seriously if she were to speak out against Angelo.

As the play progresses, Isabella's character develops and she becomes more assertive and proactive. She begins to recognise the injustice in Angelo's actions and becomes determined to fight for her brother's life. Isabella also becomes more vocal in her condemnation of Angelo's hypocrisy and abuse of power, telling him:

"O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant." (Act II, Scene 2)

This shows Isabella's growing confidence and willingness to speak truth to power. She is also unafraid to call out the hypocrisy of those in positions of authority, even if it puts her own safety at risk.

Isabella's characterisation is further complicated by the introduction of the Duke, who is disguised as a friar throughout most of the play. The Duke plays a pivotal role in shaping Isabella's character and pushing her to confront her own moral beliefs. When Isabella comes to the Duke for advice, he encourages her to consider a different course of action, suggesting that she could save her brother's life by sleeping with Angelo and then renouncing her vows of chastity. This creates a moral dilemma for Isabella, as she must choose between her loyalty to her brother and her commitment to her religious beliefs.

Isabella ultimately decides to take the Duke's advice and agrees to Angelo's proposal. However, the plan is thwarted when the Duke intervenes and orchestrates a complex scheme to expose Angelo's hypocrisy and spare Claudio's life. Isabella is initially angry with the Duke for manipulating her and putting her in such a compromising position, but she ultimately forgives him and recognises the wisdom in his actions.

ISABELLA AS AN EPITOME OF CHASTITY:

Isabella is often seen as an epitome of chastity in Measure for Measure. She is portrayed as a devout and virtuous young woman who is committed to her religious beliefs and determined to live a life of celibacy. Isabella's commitment to chastity is evident in her initial refusal to sleep with Angelo in exchange for her brother's life. She sees this as a violation of her religious vows and a compromise of her principles.

Furthermore, Isabella's chastity is emphasised throughout the play through the use of imagery and symbolism. For example, she is often associated with the idea of a "saint," and her purity and innocence are compared to that of the Virgin Mary. In Act II, Scene 2, the Duke describes Isabella as "a thing enskied and sainted," highlighting her pure and virtuous nature. Similarly, in Act II, Scene 4, Isabella's refusal to sleep with Angelo is described as a "testament of virginity" and an affirmation of her commitment to chastity.

Isabella's characterisation as an epitome of chastity is also evident in her interactions with other characters in the play. For example, she is appalled by Lucio's crude jokes and innuendos and chastises him for his lewd behaviour. She is also critical of the Duke's disguised identity as a friar, arguing that his disguise is a violation of his religious vows and a betrayal of his commitment to chastity.

However, it is important to note that Isabella's characterisation as an epitome of chastity is not without its flaws. Her adherence to her principles can be seen as rigid and inflexible at times, and her insistence on maintaining her chastity can be seen as a form of self-righteousness. Furthermore, her willingness to consider sleeping with Angelo in exchange for her brother's life can be seen as a compromise of her principles and a betrayal of her commitment to chastity.