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A Character Analysis of Angelo in Measure for Measure

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A Character Analysis of Angelo: Outer Angel and Inner Devil

There is a wide array of deceptiveness within the play "Measure for Measure." While some of the reasons for deception are good, other reasons are filled with evil and only for personal gain. Angelo is a perfect example of one of the characters within this play who uses his deceptive nature for evil and only for the gratification of himself. He is given a very superior and authoritative role by Vincentio, the Duke, and extends his powers to the most extreme of measures. Unlike the Duke, Angelo is stern and goes to the furthest extent to have his voice be heard. This complex play allows the reader to see two sides of Angelo, his outer angel and his inner devil. By exploring the …show more content…

His strong desire for he makes his reason and judgment be base on desire. At that point he is just as the people he takes reign over. Angelo lacks what the Duke possesses. He lacks understanding. He is going to implement his laws by any means necessary. Upon the return of the Duke, he has knowledge of everything that has occurred in his apparent absence. The truth then comes to light revealing that Angelo has not slept with Isabella, but he has slept with Mariana. He is then forced to marry Mariana and sentenced to death. The ending goes back to the beginning completing the quote from Act II Scene I Lines 30 and 31, "Let mine own judgment pattern out my death/ And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die." The Duke recognizes that humans do make mistakes and that a rule is not just if he makes the same mistakes that he condemns others for. Because Isabella and Mariana pleaded for Angelo, he was pardoned. The inner devil seems to be dominant over Angelo's outer angel because of his unjust rule, but he understands that whatever punishment given to him must be upheld because of the laws of the

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