Aug 21, 2008

Measure for Measure | Angelo (Character Analysis)

He is one of Duke Vincentio's assistants (the other, more senior, assistant is Escalus). On the pretext that he must leave Vienna for a while, the duke deputizes Angelo, praising his virtues and giving him authority over the administration of the laws in the city. When Angelo protests that he is not yet ready for such responsibility ("Let there be some more test made of my metal" [I.i.48], he suggests), the duke insists that he accept the commission. Angelo's first actions as deputy are to close down Vienna's brothels and to arrest and sentence to death Claudio for impregnating his...