Folio Comparision: Act V, Scene 1 Main Menu - HomePage - The Play - Folio Comparisons
DUKE.  Slandering a Prince deserves it. She Claudio that you wrong'd, look you restore. Joy to you Mariana, Love her Angelo: I have confess'd her and I know her virtue. Thanks good friend, Escalus, for thy much goodness, There's more behind that is more gratulate. Thanks Provost, for thy care, and secrecy; We shall employ thee in a worthier place. Forgive him Angelo, that brought you home The head of Ragozine for Claudio's, Th= offence pardons itself. Dear Isabel, I have a motion much imports your good, Whereto if you'll a willing ear incline: What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine. So bring us to our palace, where we'll show What's yet behind, that meet you all should know.
The final speech of the Duke in Measure for Measure is one of the great staging puzzles of Shakespearean drama. The Bard provides no stage directions whatsoever in a speech that is apparently chock full of action. To investigate this moment in great detail see Alan Dessen's editing exercise and Edward Rocklin's exercise. The fundamental issues -- that have plagued modern directors -- are how to stage the proposal; Isabel's response; and the final exit (if there is one). Students should write out a list of all actions in this one speech and insert them as stage directions on a clean copy.
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