Measure for Measure (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: William Shakespeare
- First Published: 1623
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Tragicomedy
- Time of Work: Sixteenth century
- Setting: Vienna
- Genres: Drama, Comedy, Tragedy, Tragicomedy
- Subjects: Politics, Honesty, Ethics, Corruption, Government, Sixteenth century, Austria or Austrians, Nobility, Cowards or cowardliness
- Locales: Vienna, Austria
Characters Discussed
Angelo (AN-jeh-loh), a Viennese nobleman, the duke’s deputy, a man who is cold, arrogant, and unbending in the knowledge of his own virtuous life. He refuses to look with sympathy on the offense of Claudio and stands firm for justice untempered with mercy. He is shocked to find himself tempted by Isabella, but he dismisses all moral scruples and attempts to seduce her, promising to free her brother if she will yield to him. Once he thinks he has had his will, he orders Claudio’s execution to take place. Faced with the duke’s knowledge of his behavior,...
[The entire page is 990 words long]
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