Measure for Measure (Vol. 86) | Martha Widmayer (essay date 1999)
Martha Widmayer (essay date 1999)
SOURCE: Widmayer, Martha. “‘My Brother Had But Justice’: Isabella's Plea for Angelo in Measure for Measure.” Upstart Crow 19 (1999): 62-77.
[In the following essay, Widmayer discusses themes of justice, law, and Christian mercy illustrated by Isabella's petition that Angelo's life be spared in the final scene of Measure for Measure.]
Few speeches have evoked such extensive critical commentary as Isabella's plea for Angelo's life in the final scene of Measure for Measure. Implored by Mariana to “but kneel by me!” (V. i. 445),1 Isabella does far more: she assumes the role of attorney for the defense, arguing that Angelo is not guilty of the same crime for which Claudio was sentenced to death:
My brother had but justice, In that he did the thing for which he died....
[The entire page is 6836 words long]
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