Character Analysis
The Duke
Overview, Key Symbols, and Themes
Point Evidence/Analysis/Explanation
Indirect, manipulative, isolated, contradictory, deceiving,
Duke’s Characteristics
power-obsessed, deceptive, irrepressible
The Duke has the ability to add, exaggerate, or create devices
The Duke dictates the plot
which allow the plot to continue in a particular direction
The Duke runs away from his responsibilities, but still manages
Disguise
to retain power through his disguise as a Friar
• He puts Angelo is charge even though he sees him as
incompetent
• He assumes the position of a friar
The Duke says he has a ‘love’ for his
• He manipulates Mariana into sleeping with Angelo
people, but this is not always true
• He manipulates Isabella (plans with her, marries, lies)
• He play’s with Claudio’s life
• He reassumes power at the end
He could be seen as a ‘Christ-Like’ Godlike role (manipulative, in control), could be seen as
figure immoral for his motivations for becoming a Friar
It could be argued that the Duke was deceitful to reveal the
Teaching self-knowledge character’s true nature to themselves (Claudio – mortality and
sin, Juliet – sex, Isabella – mercy and justice, Lucio)
Poses as friar, lying to all his subjects, hears confessions
Deceit
(unqualified), refrains from relieving Isabella of her pain
Key Quotes
• ‘But I will keep her ignorant of her good, to make her heavenly comforts of despair, when
it is least expected’
• ‘We have strict statues and biting laws which for this fourteen years we have let slip’
• ‘An Angelo for Claudio, death for death… measure for measure’
• ‘Fasten your ear on my advising, to the love I have in doing good; a remedy present itself’
• ‘I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you’
14
, Angelo
Overview, Key Symbols, and Themes
Point Evidence/Analysis/Explanation
Puritanical, immoral, hypocritical, deceitful, influential,
Angelo’s Characteristics
dominant, introspective
Initial attitudes to justice were firm Sees himself as pure, superior to human weakness, represents
and strict the extremity of the law, boasts his ability to resist temptation
His lust acting as a contrast to his He is drawn to the purity of Isabella which prevents him from
image consummating her, he demands her body, blackmail, corrupt
Extended metaphor of the fall from grace – Angelo (angel) –
‘let there be some more test made of my mettle’, Escalus –
Metaphorical Counterfeit Coin
‘actions slip so grossly’ – slip is a term for a counterfeit coin –
interior corruption
More power he receives, the more corrupt he becomes –
Power
tyrannical, exploitation of Isabella
When examining his feeling for Isabella, he inspects himself
Interior reflection/inspection
and his lustful desires – dramatic irony for the audience
The Duke’s abdication leads to Angelo’s rule – he privately
Power Vacuum
feels power will corrupt him, he feels unworthy – enforced?
Key Quotes
• ‘With all her double vigour, art and nature, once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid
subdues me quite’
• ‘We must not make a scarecrow of the law’
• ‘Tis one thing to be tempted… another thing to fall. I not deny the jury, passing on the
prisoner’s life’
• ‘You must lay down the treasures of your body… or else let him suffer’
• ‘She will speak most bitterly and strange’
15
The Duke
Overview, Key Symbols, and Themes
Point Evidence/Analysis/Explanation
Indirect, manipulative, isolated, contradictory, deceiving,
Duke’s Characteristics
power-obsessed, deceptive, irrepressible
The Duke has the ability to add, exaggerate, or create devices
The Duke dictates the plot
which allow the plot to continue in a particular direction
The Duke runs away from his responsibilities, but still manages
Disguise
to retain power through his disguise as a Friar
• He puts Angelo is charge even though he sees him as
incompetent
• He assumes the position of a friar
The Duke says he has a ‘love’ for his
• He manipulates Mariana into sleeping with Angelo
people, but this is not always true
• He manipulates Isabella (plans with her, marries, lies)
• He play’s with Claudio’s life
• He reassumes power at the end
He could be seen as a ‘Christ-Like’ Godlike role (manipulative, in control), could be seen as
figure immoral for his motivations for becoming a Friar
It could be argued that the Duke was deceitful to reveal the
Teaching self-knowledge character’s true nature to themselves (Claudio – mortality and
sin, Juliet – sex, Isabella – mercy and justice, Lucio)
Poses as friar, lying to all his subjects, hears confessions
Deceit
(unqualified), refrains from relieving Isabella of her pain
Key Quotes
• ‘But I will keep her ignorant of her good, to make her heavenly comforts of despair, when
it is least expected’
• ‘We have strict statues and biting laws which for this fourteen years we have let slip’
• ‘An Angelo for Claudio, death for death… measure for measure’
• ‘Fasten your ear on my advising, to the love I have in doing good; a remedy present itself’
• ‘I am come to advise you, comfort you, and pray with you’
14
, Angelo
Overview, Key Symbols, and Themes
Point Evidence/Analysis/Explanation
Puritanical, immoral, hypocritical, deceitful, influential,
Angelo’s Characteristics
dominant, introspective
Initial attitudes to justice were firm Sees himself as pure, superior to human weakness, represents
and strict the extremity of the law, boasts his ability to resist temptation
His lust acting as a contrast to his He is drawn to the purity of Isabella which prevents him from
image consummating her, he demands her body, blackmail, corrupt
Extended metaphor of the fall from grace – Angelo (angel) –
‘let there be some more test made of my mettle’, Escalus –
Metaphorical Counterfeit Coin
‘actions slip so grossly’ – slip is a term for a counterfeit coin –
interior corruption
More power he receives, the more corrupt he becomes –
Power
tyrannical, exploitation of Isabella
When examining his feeling for Isabella, he inspects himself
Interior reflection/inspection
and his lustful desires – dramatic irony for the audience
The Duke’s abdication leads to Angelo’s rule – he privately
Power Vacuum
feels power will corrupt him, he feels unworthy – enforced?
Key Quotes
• ‘With all her double vigour, art and nature, once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid
subdues me quite’
• ‘We must not make a scarecrow of the law’
• ‘Tis one thing to be tempted… another thing to fall. I not deny the jury, passing on the
prisoner’s life’
• ‘You must lay down the treasures of your body… or else let him suffer’
• ‘She will speak most bitterly and strange’
15
