In Act 2, Scene 4 of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Isabella grapples with a moral dilemma after Angelo propositions her, offering to spare her brother Claudio's life in exchange for her chastity.

Title of Monologue:

Isabella's Monologue from Act 2, Scene 4 of Measure for Measure

Synopsis:

Isabella contemplates the consequences of revealing Angelo's proposition, doubting she would be believed due to his authoritative position. She resolves to inform her brother of Angelo's demand and prepares him for death, valuing her chastity above his life.

What’s just happened before this moment that’s relevant to the scene?

Angelo has given Isabella an ultimatum: surrender her virginity to him, or her brother Claudio will be executed for fornication. Isabella is left to decide between sacrificing her chastity or her brother's life.

Original Text:

ISABELLA:

To whom should I complain? Did I tell this,

Who would believe me? O, perilous mouths,

That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue,

Either of condemnation or approof,

Bidding the law make curtsy to their will,

Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite,

To follow as it draws. I’ll to my brother.

Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood,

Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor

That, had he twenty heads to tender down

On twenty bloody blocks, he’d yield them up

Before his sister should her body stoop

To such abhorred pollution.

Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die.

More than our brother is our chastity.

I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request,

And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.


Translation of Text into Contemporary Language:

ISABELLA:

To whom can I complain? If I told this, Who would believe me? Oh, dangerous people, Who use the same tongue For both condemnation and approval, Making the law bow to their will, Twisting right and wrong to their desires, Following wherever it leads. I'll go to my brother. Though he has sinned out of youthful passion, He has such a sense of honor That, even if he had twenty heads to lay On twenty execution blocks, he'd give them up Before his sister would degrade her body To such abhorrent corruption. So, Isabel, remain chaste, and, brother, die. Our chastity is worth more than our brother. I'll tell him about Angelo's demand, And prepare his mind for death, for the peace of his soul.

Meaning of Difficult or Unusual Words:

  • Perilous mouths: Dangerous people who speak deceitfully.

  • Condemnation or approof: Disapproval or approval.

  • Make curtsy to their will: Submit to their desires.

  • Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite: Twisting morality to suit their desires.

  • Prompture of the blood: Impulse of passion or lust.

  • Tender down: Offer up.

  • Abhorred pollution: Detested corruption or defilement.

  • Fit his mind to death: Prepare him mentally for death.

Breakdown of Text into ‘New Thought’ Paragraphs:

  1. Doubt and Distrust:
    To whom should I complain? Did I tell this, Who would believe me?
    Isabella questions who she can turn to with her plight, doubting that anyone would believe her accusations against Angelo due to his esteemed position.

  2. Critique of Authority:
    O, perilous mouths, That bear in them one and the selfsame tongue, Either of condemnation or approof, Bidding the law make curtsy to their will, Hooking both right and wrong to th’ appetite, To follow as it draws.
    She criticizes those in power who manipulate the law to serve their own desires, using their influence to condemn or approve as it suits them, thus bending morality to their whims.

  3. Decision to Inform Claudio:
    I’ll to my brother. Though he hath fall’n by prompture of the blood, Yet hath he in him such a mind of honor That, had he twenty heads to tender down On twenty bloody blocks, he’d yield them up Before his sister should her body stoop To such abhorred pollution.
    Isabella resolves to tell her brother about Angelo's proposition, believing that despite his sin driven by passion, Claudio's honor would lead him to choose death over her dishonor.

  4. Valuing Chastity Over Life:
    Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die. More than our brother is our chastity.
    She concludes that maintaining her chastity is more important than saving her brother's life, reflecting her strict moral values.

  5. Preparing for Death:
    I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request, And fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest.
    Isabella decides to inform Claudio of Angelo's demand and help him prepare mentally and spiritually for his impending execution, ensuring his soul is at peace.

Journey Keypoints:

  • Hook: Isabella's uncertainty about who to trust with her accusation against Angelo.

  • Turning Point: Her decision to inform Claudio of the immoral proposition.

  • Climax: The resolution to prioritize chastity over her brother's life.

  • Resolution: Her commitment to prepare Claudio for death, ensuring his spiritual readiness.

This monologue highlights Isabella's internal struggle between familial love and personal virtue, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her moral beliefs even in the face of profound personal loss.