'Measure for Measure: The fault of Isabella is that she is excessively pious and too proud\r'

'Isabellas character blossoms in debate, on a number of occasions throughout the good turn she can be perceived as organism excessively pious and too high. This perception of Isabella is prove in the play when she gravels her virginity and spiritual emotional state fore of her brothers life which hangs in the balance, this captivate is emphasised when she refuses Angelos proposition to fork over Claudios life. even so it can in any case be argued that Isabellas actions and decisions can in addition back up the plenty that Isabella is a symbol for justice and lawfulness.\r\nThus Isabellas character is a perfect example of body versus soul as her actions and decisions can be debated and argued thoroughly. Isabella can also be seen as a champion of pity by the way she begs for Angelos life in the final image of the play. The turn over that Isabella is excessively pious is supported the compositors case we meet her character as she ‘rather wishes a much strict restraint on the sisterhood. This gives the listening the idea that Isabella believes the sisterhood is too lenient and she believes on that point should be more rules and restrictions.\r\nThe use of ‘wishes is magnetic coreive as it shows that Isabella hoped to confound more rules and restraint posed on her as a nun; therefore backing the earn that Isabella is excessively pious. Isabella can also be seen as excessively pious when she puts her chastity onward of her brothers life ‘More than our brother is our chastity. Isabella can be seen as too proud as a result of this decision as many an(prenominal) of the consultation leave dis take with the view.\r\nThe use of ‘our brother is effective as Isabella is associating the view with all of the sense of hearing. However it can also be argued that Isabellas decision to put her chastity forward of her brothers life shows that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she values her spiritual life more tha n her brothers physical life. Isabella shows how serious her spiritual life is to her when she becomes agitated as a result of Claudios final cause to agree with Angelos demands. ‘O you beast!\r\nO you faithless coward! O you dishonest wretch! ‘ This attack on Claudio exit be seen as severe by the audience as Claudio fears death and the unknown, however ultimately he wants to live ‘O please sister let me live. However Isabella appears to be ignorant of his desires and emotions ‘O, fie, fie, fie! ‘, therefore the audience will feel sympathetic for Claudio but will also view Isabella as single disposed(p) and inflexible as she only seems to consider the effect the illegitimate bring up will have on her character.\r\nThus Isabella can easily be viewed as being too proud. Isabellas devotion to her virginity is also measured by Angelo as he offers Isabella the chance to save her brothers life if she ‘lays down the treasures of your body to this supposed or else let him suffer. The use of ‘treasures is effective as Angelo knows Isabellas virginity is everything to her, and t thus it is her excessive piety and the fact she is proud that attracts Angelo to her.\r\n therefrom this exposes Isabellas flaw and hence fault as her virtue and piety attract Angelo. However Isabella bluntly refuses Angelos project ‘Id wear as rubies, and strip myself to death as to a bed that longing have been puke for, ere Id yield my body to shame. The language is Isabellas speech contrasts her ism the use of ‘strip myself to death as to a bed is effective as she is unknowingly attracting Angelo to her sexually but is ultimately refusing him.\r\nIsabella believes her body will be put to ‘shame as a result of illegitimate sex with Angelo, and therefore gives no inclination of accepting the proposal for the sake of Claudios life. Indeed she again only continues to hazard about the affect the act will have on her character, therefore again supporting the view that she is too proud of her spot and excessively pious. However her stern refusal of Angelos proposal ‘most pernicious purpose supports the view that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she decides to refuse the proposal without hesitation.\r\nThe audience will also empathise with Isabellas decision and if anything will be atheistic of her precondition if she was to accept the proposal. Isabella can be seen as merciful when she begs with Mariana for Angelos life ‘Thoughts are no subjects, intents but merely thoughts. The audience will disagree with Isabellas mercy towards Angelo as he tried to take her virginity and hence her life away from her ‘virgin violator, however she is plead for his life to be saved.\r\nTherefore Isabellas actions agree with the view that she is a champion of mercy as she is will to forgive Angelos intentions and thoughts. Isabellas language again contradicts her philosophy and her status of being excessively pious. Christianity as a morality is based upon ideas of ideas and thoughts, however according to Isabella ‘thoughts are no subjects. Therefore the audience will question Isabellas status as a nun and if she devoted to the church as we have become accustomed to throughout the majority of the play.\r\nThere are many arguments to support both of these views. However I believe the arguments for the view that Isabella is a symbol for virtue and chastity surmount the arguments supporting Isabella as being too proud and excessively pious. There is ambiguity in many of Isabellas actions and decisions which bring Isabellas character into debate. I believe Shakespeare presents Isabella as a symbol for virtue and chastity as she ultimately puts her spiritual life and virginity ahead of her brothers life which hung in the balance.\r\n'