Measure for Measure has provoked a rather mixed appraisal among critics. While the play hinges on a very improbable plot point, it raises questions of morality in a rather pointed manner. I have been fascinated by this play and want to think it through
Scene 1
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords, ⌜and Attendants.⌝
Duke
[1] Escalus.
Escalus
[2] My lord.
Duke
[3] Of government the properties to unfold
[4] Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
[5] Since I am put to know that your own science
[6] Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
[7] My strength can give you. Then no more remains
[8] But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
[9] And let them work. The nature of our people,
[10] Our city’s institutions, and the terms
[11] For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
[12] As art and practice hath enrichèd any
[13] That we remember. There is our commission,
⌜He hands Escalus a paper.⌝
[14] From which we would not have you warp.—Call
[15] hither,
[16] I say, bid come before us Angelo.
⌜An Attendant exits.⌝
[17] What figure of us think you he will bear?
[18] For you must know, we have with special soul
[19] Elected him our absence to supply,
[20] Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love,
[21] And given his deputation all the organs
[22] Of our own power. What think you of it?
Escalus
[23] If any in Vienna be of worth
[24] To undergo such ample grace and honor,
[25] It is Lord Angelo.
This introductory scene is all exposition, typically the dullest part of a story. Let us consider how Shakespeare handles this.
First, the entry of the characters.
Duke
[1] Escalus.
Escalus
[2] My lord.
We would have the advantage of seeing the way the men are dressed. But the costumes alone would only convey a limited amount of information. This interaction is necessary in any conversation, the two people acknowledge one-another.
We also learn that one character is named “Escalus” and the other character is more important, he is address, “My lord.”
The Duke (we do not necessarily know exactly what his status before this speech):
Duke
[3] Of government the properties to unfold
[4] Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
[5] Since I am put to know that your own science
[6] Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
[7] My strength can give you. Then no more remains
[8] But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
[9] And let them work. The nature of our people,
[10] Our city’s institutions, and the terms
[11] For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
[12] As art and practice hath enrichèd any
[13] That we remember.
Details
[3] Of government the properties to unfold
[4] Would seem in me t’ affect speech and discourse,
There is no need for me to explain [unfold] how our government works. To explain that to you would be an affectation.
[5] Since I am put to know that your own science
[6] Exceeds, in that, the lists of all advice
[7] My strength can give you.
Your “science” is your knowledge. You already know more about the government than I could tell you. This particular element is not a significant point in the remainder of the play, so one could see this as perhaps a slight misstep. On the other hand, the Duke is about to put someone else in charge of the state while the Duke leaves. Perhaps we can understand this as flattery meant to soften the fact that another will be given the reigns and not Escalus.
Then no more remains
[8] But that, to your sufficiency, as your worth is able,
[9] And let them work. The nature of our people,
[10] Our city’s institutions, and the terms
[11] For common justice, you’re as pregnant in
[12] As art and practice hath enrichèd any
[13] That we remember.
He continues on with the praise of Escalus. But here we have our first pun –which is not apparent on the first encounter as it will be later. Escalus is “pregnant/in art and practice.” This play will turn upon the question of pregnancy, art (skill) and practice. Also, Escalus is “enriched” in this knowledge. And to “know” something also has double meaning.
The Duke continues:
There is our commission,
⌜He hands Escalus a paper.⌝
[14] From which we would not have you warp.—Call
[15] hither,
[16] I say, bid come before us Angelo.
The Duke gives instruction to Escalus and tells him he may not vary anything in the direction. The irony here is the question of varying from the strict application of the law is the main moral quandary of this play. Escalus reads the paper and the Duke continues:
⌜An Attendant exits.⌝
[17] What figure of us think you he will bear?
[18] For you must know, we have with special soul
[19] Elected him our absence to supply,
[20] Lent him our terror, dressed him with our love,
[21] And given his deputation all the organs
[22] Of our own power. What think you of it?
This information which Escalus does not have and which he needs. Also, this is all we need to know about the circumstance to permit the play to get going. The Duke asks Escalus whether he agrees with this decision. This allows us to learn this point of exposition, but it is not given mere talk so the play can get going.
It also sets up a dramatic question which underlies the remainder of the play, Is Angelo able to handle this power.
We then here the answer:
Escalus
[23] If any in Vienna be of worth
[24] To undergo such ample grace and honor,
[25] It is Lord Angelo.
There is an interesting ambiguity here. If any be worthy is Angelo. Does this mean that Angelo is the best or that no one is worthy.
memoirandremains 