In William Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure”: Understanding of Isabella and Claudio’s relationship

In William Shakespeares Measure for Measure, the characters, and the manner in which they interact, turning a critical part of the overall tone and atmosphere of the plot. One of the characters most important functions is to provide action in the scene, and insight into the various relationships that progress throughout the play, this is evident in the exchange we witness between Isabella and Claudio in Act Three, Scene one. Both characters are of considerable significance within the play, so it is interesting to none how their actions will shape the remainder of the plot.Shortly before the beginning of Act threes drama, we see Isabella confronted by Angelo, where he proposes the question, which had you rather, that the most just impartiality now took your brothers life, or to redeem him give up your body to such sweet uncleanness as she that he hath stained? Isabella had been literally placed in a life death situation here, for if she were to give in to Angelo she would fall ba ck her integrity, and essentially her soul, but were she to defy him, her brother would be beheaded the next day. Isabella, as we have witnessed in past scenes, holds strong morals, and she indeed refuses to follow with Angelos proposal. After this seemingly traumatic encounter, Isabella gives the audience a short soliloquy in which she highlights her situation, she has already decided in her head that her brother will die, Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die.Keeping in mind that Isabella has seemingly premeditated the outcome of her brothers sentence, the reader wonders why she is in time informing him of Angelos proposition. When she does speak to Claudio in act three, scene one, her explanation of the offer is slow and dramatic, she first-class honours degree establishes her moral position before she actually gets to mention the specifics, perhaps this shows that she does have faith in her brothers ideals. She starts off by over-emphasising how evil Angelo is, in tha t respect is a devilish mercy in the judge, maybe she hopes that Claudio would prefer is she didnt lose her chastity to a man so wicked in nature. From the draw a bead on of her entry, we can sense a shift in the mood on the scene. There is a heightened popular opinion of suspense and anticipation as she continues to elude Claudios questioning of the required act itself. During this time, Claudio is gradually getting frustrated, this frustration soon turns to brashness, If I essential die, I will encounter darkness as a bride and hug it in mine arms.When Isabella finally yields to Claudio the term of his freedom, his initial reaction is of disgust, Thou shalt not dot. Soon after, we as the audience gain an insight into the workings of Claudios and essentially mans mind, for it is the human condition to be fearful of death. We can see that Isabella and Claudio differ rather significantly when it comes to moral grounds. Fornication in Claudios mind is the least of the seven deadly sins, whereas Isabella clearly places her religious piety above all others. One gets the feeling that if Isabella had stated the proposition without delay, she would have not left Claudio in an excited and hasty state, and perhaps he would have given the proposition less thought. From his first reactions of boldness, we now see a weaker, almost pleadingClaudio, for when he speaks of death he gives a visceral description, one that comes from a man on the bourn of an unknown journey into darkness and, cold obstruction.Claudio is seemingly on his knees now, Sweet sister, let me live, this gives the reader the impression that Isabella is cold hearted and unmoving in her treatment of her brother.Claudio, a desperate man, clinging on to the last straws of hope attempts to change Isabellas outlook on the situation, he makes it out to be that if she were to commit the sin with Angelo she would be saving her brothers life, and that end in itself would be sufficient enough to almost superse de the initial means. But Isabella continues to live up to her self righteous and insincere characteristics, for upon hearing her brothers plea she exhumes wrath, abusing him as a beast, faithless coward and dishonest wretch.Isabellas willingness to sacrifice her brothers life to maintain her personal honour further separates her from her brother, for at this point it is evident that it will be unlikely for the two to ever return to a normal relationship. Furthermore, it is interesting that amidst this power struggle, similarities in each others character emerges, for fleck it may seem that they do not share the same views, in reality neither is willing to be a martyr for the others beliefs. The Duke, in the veil of a friars habit, offers an end to the intense conflict that has taken course, with an alternate plan of events.The relationships that characters possess are crucial to the overall theme of the play, for many, if not all of the questions raise in Measure for Measure ar e in fact questions on human nature. In essence act three, scene one encompasses perhaps the central theme, a question of morals, love and religion. In their dialect we see Isabella give greater weight to religion over love when it comes to Claudios life, perhaps the fact that Shakespeare rather of a sudden ends the conversation suggests that this question in particular is one of great consequence and importance. For instead of giving us a clear answer, he leaves the problem open, and reasonably free to personal belief and opinion.