Measure for Measure Essay: Lord Angelo's Hypocrisy

An individual who’s influenced by power, control and corruption is often the king that chooses how the game is played. In Marele Day’s novel, The life and Crimes of Harry Lavender uses a variety of plots, settings and characteristic features that display how power and corruption can influence an individual’s superiority over an entire city.

"Or failing so, yet that I put the Moor at least into a jealousy so strong that judgment cannot cure".

Power is the ability to manipulate and control whatever one desires; to do what one pleases to do without answering to authority. The power that corrupts the characters plays an extensive role throughout Shakespeare’s play, King Lear. Goneril and Regan are corrupted by the power that Lear offers them. Edmund’s corruption comes from the trust of his father. Absolute power corrupts absolutely with the characters, because once have full control, they are so cold that they will do anything to keep the power – or to gain more. The quest for power corrupts, but when absolute power is attained, treachery and deceit is the only path to take.

The prince is introduced as the person who tries to maintain order and peace in Verona; he does this firstly by calling to the mob. “Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace,” By addressing them as rebellious he shows them as being outside of the law. He also threatens them with torture to control the citizens so he has to address them with ferocity. This is something that the audience would relate to because peace existed at his time during Elizabeth’s rule. However to remain in power

Shakespeare’s King Lear and Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus are two examples of early modern texts, one a tragedy and the other a morality play respectively, which deal with the theme of power at the crux of its narrative. Between both texts it is evident that different characters utilize their power or authority differently – some ‘unwisely’ whilst some ‘maliciously’. In either case, the use of power progresses the plays and drives the majority of main characters.

Power inevitably instills vanity in those who hold it, and thus, chaos and negligence in government cannot be avoided. However, despite this corruption in leadership, civilization can continue to function with morality from where it is least expected. The lowly Dogberry and watchmen provide the evidence that enables everyone to have a happy ending, and Hal, whom everyone regarded as a total disgrace, heroically saves the king from death. Without this unanticipated honor though, society does fall to tragedy as seen in the demise of nearly every character in the greedy, power hungry world of King Lear. Therefore, because of this great importance of unexpected integrity, everyone, regardless of class, holds a responsibility to act with the dignity that once solely belonged to the privileged. While typically, only those who hold no power understand society’s problems and live virtuously, these people, though lacking in status, actually hold the most honor and power to influence positive

Throughout all of human existence, the desire for power has overruled everything. We are constantly trying to be better than the ones around us, and are jealous of those who are on top. In many situations, it seems that no matter how hard we try, we can never get to that point of control that we so badly strive for. In Shakespeare’s tragically deceptive play, “Othello”, the symbolism and conflict throughout the play continually demonstrates Iago’s struggle to gain power. Through Iago’s miserable fail to obtain the power he so badly aspires, Shakespeare proves that the human race can never be happy with what they have, and that they are always trying to be better than everyone

      In ‘Measure for Measure’, Shakespeare demonstrates that there is an innate immorality and corruption in the heart of man. Shakespeare illustrates that power does not cause corruption.  This is achieved by presenting the Duke, who has the most power in Vienna, as a moral hero, and conversely revealing the corruption of the powerless class through characters including Pompey, Mistress Overdone, and Barnadine.  Through all this, Shakespeare uses Lord Angelo in Measure for Measure to show that immorality and corruption is innate in mankind.

Of course, one may just as easily argue that the Duke's newfound 'morality' is a direct result of the realisation that he, like the "rod" of the law, is perhaps "more mocked than feared" (I.iii.28). This interpretation is given credence when we consider the possibility that Lucio's remarks regarding the Duke may to some degree be representative of a general spirit of disdain rather than just a humorous product of his bawdy and irreverent nature. Neither must we forget the Duke's own avowal which is couched in very negative (and martial) terms:

Duke is portrayed as being a very controlling gentleman. He thinks that no one but himself has the authority to

Barnardine’s character demonstrates the change in the Duke’s severity through his years as a ruler by highlighting how clueless the Duke actually is regarding Barnardine’s situation. In the first scene of act one, the Duke is portrayed as the embodiment of responsibility. As he leaves for his fake vacation, he makes certain to leave someone to fill his position in his absence. Moreover, Angelo seems like the right choice. The Duke’s praises, Angelo’s gracefulness, even his angelic name, provide the reader with a sense of trust. Although the Duke is

Isabella continues arguing with Angelo until he finally relents and tells her to come back the next day to hear his judgement. Everyone leaves, and Angelo speaks a rather striking soliloquy, apparently talking to himself ‘…what art thou Angelo? Dost thou desire her foully for those things that make her good?’. Thus, through Shakespeare’s staging, we learn that Angelo admits to himself that he is in love with Isabella because of her virtue and purity. Often characters in Shakespeare’s plays have soliloquies but they do not often refer to themselves in third person and when they do, it is often a sign of madness. Perhaps Shakespeare is suggesting this as a sign for Angelo. What is certain is that he is struggling with an inward battle between what he knows he should do and what he desires to do, as his develops and starts questioning the morality of his own character. It is with great irony that Isabella's call to Angelo to mark the weaknesses in his own heart is answered by Angelo's acknowledgement that he is tempted by Isabella. It is this temptation that brings from Angelo his first

The concept of power is as ancient as human existence. Power and who receives power has changed and developed from the beginning of human civilisation. How has society changed over time? A changing society is an alteration in the social order and structure of society. This can be a change of social systems, behaviours and relationships. The character of Baptista Minola from William Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew, written between 1590 and 1592, and his modern, readapted counterpart, Dr Walter Stratford, from the 1999 film, 10 things I hate about you, demonstrates how societies change over time. Moreover, the issue of power or the ability to direct or influence the behaviours of others is expressed through this character as he is

The citizens of Vienna having lived under relaxed laws have grown accustomed to breaking them, and Escalus, an old lord with experience in government, warned Angelo (in vain) of the consequences of harsh action; however, Angelo would not be deterred. An excellent insight to Angelo's style of law enforcement comes from the convicted brother of Isabella, Claudio. While in prison and given to many thoughts, Claudio speculates on the motives of Angelo:

In William Shakespeare’s “Othello”, the main character is presented as an admirable leader but a poor rationalist. He is recognized as a hero with the qualities of vigor, charm, and eloquence. However these principles of leadership aren’t always viewed as the criteria for a leader. The battleground is, to Othello at least, is depicted as a place of admiration, where men speak truthfully to one another. Also, the given circumstances of state and warfare are rather straightforward; no one deceives Othello because as leader he should be esteemed. This one-dimensional view does not help him in issues of the heart though. Thus the main assessment of Othello must be that, even though he leads well and means well, he lacks sensible judgment and