ipl-logo

Deception In Angelo's 'Vengeance For Measure'

876 Words4 Pages

Eyes and Teeth
(An Analysis of the Title of Measure for Measure)
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Who ever thought that was a good idea? The answer to this million dollar question is, you guessed it, God. When questioning the brutality of humankind it is necessary to consult the area of theology in the theories of origin of bad feelings. In Measure for Measure, the reference to Christian theology is apparent, especially when it comes to the radical laws of the town of Vienna. Claudio received the worst end of the deal possible when he is sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet, before they have been married. And yet, despite his pleading, Angelo will not hear reason and his sentence will stand. The themes of deception …show more content…

The judgement of other characters that is directed toward Claudio is quite alarming. Most significant is the judgment of Angelo, who believes Claudio has committed a crime worthy of death, but will be willing to commit the same transgressions when given the opportunity. “In other words, what you do unto others, they will do unto you. This is the lesson that Angelo learns.”(Gradesaver). The hypocrisy displayed by Angelo will dismay not only readers, but almost every character within the text. The text was written in a time when religion was at its peak. As Ciccolella puts it, “In the middle of all this, Shakespeare wrote a play about the need for a balance between justice and mercy.” (Ciccolella). When discussing this hypocrisy, it is necessary to discuss the verse of the Bible which inspires the title. To quote, “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with that judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure you meet, it shall be measured unto you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2). The danger of hypocrisy is that you will be judged by God in the same way you have judged …show more content…

Another interpretation of the title lends itself to the justice system and how it operates among the citizens of Vienna. The justice system is operated in the same way that it was doled out in Old Testament times, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” However, we learned from Mahatma Ghandi long ago, that this way of thinking will never solve any of the world’s problems. However, it does not prevent Claudio’s sentence to death for impregnating his fiancée. Though the two are in love, and the act is completely consensual, it is still thought necessary for Claudio to be sentenced more harshly than even some murderers are today. As Chedzgoy says, “On the one hand, the plot shows the traumatic consequences of extending the legal surveillance of social behaviour into the bedroom; and on the other, it shows how hard it can be to expose and condemn the misuse of public power for sexual purposes.” (Chedzgoy). The justice system was adjusted so that only certain people could be sentenced for their

Show More
Related
649 Words | 3 Pages

Eric Hurt March 30, 2023 Much Ado About Nothing Lawson W2 In the first half of the book, it is established that Claudio and Hero’s relationship is dysfunctional because of greed and monetary gain. Claudio makes Don Pedro suspicious of his motives, when he asks, “ Hath Leonato any son, my lord?” and Don Pedro replies, “No child but Hero; she’s his only heir” (1.1. 285-290). This sets up their relationship to be dysfunctional because it is heavily implied that Claudio wants to be with Hero because there is a monetary gain for him.

Read More
166 Words | 1 Pages

The article forced me to ponder about the existence of unfairness and injustice which inevitably and constantly hinders society because the individual discussed in the article experiences these factors in an unusual and rather extreme circumstance. William Goldman, the author of The Princess’ Bride once rhetorically questioned, “Who says life is fair, where is [this statement] written?”, which summarizes the outcomes of life itself. Humans frequently face adversity throughout daily lives, whether minor challenges or major hurdles; these problems include unretainable lost objects or the death of a beloved individual. To others, injustice may appear judicially and politically; Ivan Henry and David Milgaard were both wrongfully convicted of sexual

Read More
701 Words | 3 Pages

During the first of many church scenes within the novel, Antonio describes that, as a child, “[he] loved none as dearly as the Virgin…God was not always forgiving. He made laws to follow and if you broke them you were punished. The Virgin always forgave” (44). In other words, Antonio views the Virgin Mary with even greater admiration than that of God, due to the greater appeal of her compassionate nature in comparison to God’s harsher disciplinary role in the Catholic faith. In this statement, Antonio expresses resentment and fear of God in this role, adopting the somewhat blasphemous stance of bestowing greater love and affection upon the Virgin than upon the creator due to her forgiving values.

Read More
1525 Words | 7 Pages

The man was released, leaving Jozef burdened with a sense of “guilt that he had not been able to protect his parents, and regret that he had failed in his responsibility to take vengeance” (11). On the basis of these narratives, Diamond advocates for a more widespread acceptance of the natural desire for revenge, an emotion which in is view is much like that of “love, anger, grief, and fear” (12). He concludes that great relief that can be supplied by properly expressing and acknowledging our thirst for vengeance. Taking a position so contrary to

Read More
925 Words | 4 Pages

Antonio’s true character was finally showing as he was true to himself despite the others telling him to harm Florence. When Antonio was finally able to ignore the others, he was able to be true to

Read More
878 Words | 4 Pages

Claudio, Hero and Don Pedro all realize how perfect Beatrice and Benedick are together and so they set up a plan to deceive the two of them into falling in love. Don Pedro comes up with the plan to be having Benedick eavesdropping on Don Pedro, Leonato and Claudio chatting about how much Beatrice is secretly in love with Benedick. Just as they expected , their plan goes off without a hitch. After the group is done talking and they all leave, Benedick comes out of hiding and start talking about what he just heard and realizes that he is in love with Beatrice. “I will be horribly in love wit her.”

Read More
594 Words | 3 Pages

In this excerpt Benedick and Beatrice discuss Claudio’s death, “‘Kill Claudio.’

Read More
989 Words | 4 Pages

The reluctance to realize the importance of one’s life is becoming increasingly present in the peoples of society. A rejection of reality is leading to the miscomprehension of circumstances, causing one to have to take away connection, and embrace irrational and hasty behaviour. The way one lives their lives is determined by how they react to various situations, but with hastiness controlling the lives of so many, the demise of morals and trust will be buried with the people that left them behind. One’s responsibilities should not overtake one’s abilities to comprehend, to connect, and to communicate. Though Romeo and Tybalt lived without the same responsibilities, they share the same deadly trait that drives the way our society, and the way that they and the people of Verona react to different situations.

Read More
941 Words | 4 Pages

The audience may understand the concept of love and romance flowing within the characters because it was to portrayed that way but the critics would argue the fact that some of the characters like Beatrice and Benedick were made to fall in love with each other through deception. As simple as the characters were, the situations arousing in the play became more complexed as scenes passed by. What led to the trouble and chaos in the play also led to the solution in the end, when Claudio and Don Pedro were deceived into thinking by Don John that Hero was unfaithful. That very same idea also solved the problem in the end when Leonato, Hero’s father, deceived Claudio by making him believe that she is dead and that it is his duty to clear Hero’s name by reading out on her tomb and marrying the said niece who looks just like Hero. Again the plotting against own is present where the said niece turns out to be Hero and she comes back to life again.

Read More
1421 Words | 6 Pages

Throughout the play, Claudio is manipulated by various characters, particularly Donn John. At first, Claudio's passionate love for Hero makes him vulnerable to manipulation. Donn John questions Hero’s faithfulness and manipulates Claudio's sense of trust, urging him to publicly disgrace Hero. “If I see anything tonight why I should not marry her, tomorrow in the congregation, where I should wed, there will I shame her,” Claudio vows in response, following the lead of Don John’s accusatory nature, he declares that he will publicly shame Hero as revenge for her betrayal. Claudio hasn’t yet seen any evidence, but mimics the fervor of his peers, appearing almost excited by the “noble” idea of punishing his betrothed.

Read More
690 Words | 3 Pages

For a brief moment he wanted to yell up at the balcony and Don John holds him back to encourage him to have this conversation at the church. This scene becomes the basis for Claudio to manifest into an angry, spiteful, hurtful and dishonored man. These emotions, his hurting masculinity and his need for revenge becomes clear. Since the beginning of the play all male characters either display or communicate what they think of women and marriage. Their acceptance of sleeping around or with multiple women as a man, demonstrates masculinity and charm.

Read More
709 Words | 3 Pages

Shakespeare reveals the theme that people deceive others out of love, embarrassment, and hatred. All evidence comes from Much Ado About Nothing. Love makes people act less rationally than they would normally behave. In this case, Claudio has fallen in love with Leonato’s daughter, Hero. In this love-dazed state, Claudio seems thoroughly confused at Don Pedro’s plan to win Hero over on his behalf, due to being lied to about the actual plan by Don John.

Read More
942 Words | 4 Pages

From the several guilty characters in Shakespeare’s tragic work, Romeo, the Friar, and Fate are most culpable. The likelihood of a successful marriage was certainly ambiguous considering Romeo’s impetuous behavior. It is evident that Romeo’s engulfment in love overtakes his ability to act in accord to logic. Let alone his passion for Juliet, this young man involves himself in a fight resulting with blood on his guilty hands. After invoking a battle with his enemy, “Tybalt, here slain, whom

Read More
1234 Words | 5 Pages

As the story progresses, Hero is accused of sleeping with another man. When Claudio learns that his wife-to-be is unloyal, his first instinct is to publicly reject her at their wedding. He continues through with this plan, saying “Not to be married, not to knit my soul to an approved wanton” (125). Given his male identity, he has the power to react in this way. It was not looked down upon for him to rescind his love so quickly from a woman who he originally believed to be “the sweetest lady that ever [Claudio] looked on” (17).

Read More
1514 Words | 7 Pages

Introduction The play is a medival, 15th century drama that was written to portray Death as it approaches Everyman once his time comes to face God on judgment day. The play uses allegorical characters to evaluate the question of a Christian’s salvation and how man must

Read More

More about Deception In Angelo's 'Vengeance For Measure'

Related Topics

Open Document