1 Remember that in this scene the Duke is disguised as a friar, someone that Claudio believes has spiritual authority. In reality, however, the Duke does have the power of life and death in his hands. How might this dramatic irony be important in this scene?  
 
 
 
 
2 What does Claudio reveal about his spiritual state here? Do you see any tension between his emotional and spiritual state here? Explain.  
 
 
 
 
3 This theme of being ready or ripe is a common one in Shakespeare. What do you think of the Duke/Friar's advice? Do you think the Duke really expects his words of comfort to have any real effect? Explain.  
 
 
 
 
4 Put this speech in your own words.  
 
 
 
 
5 Look up John Donne's famous sonnet Death be not proud. How does Donne's attitude compare with that of the Duke here? What differences do you note?  
 
 
 
 
6 This is a long speech. How would you stage it? Most important: how would you have Claudio respond during this very long instruction? Why would his responses be significant?  
 
 
 
 
7 What does the Duke mean by Yet in this life/ Lie hid moe thousand deaths; yet death we fear, / That makes these odds all even? Why might Claudio fear to die? Why does any person fear death?  
 
 
 
 
8 What is Claudio's response to the Duke? What sense do you make of Claudio's paradoxes? (Compare Matthew 16:25 - For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.)  
 
 
 
 
9 Remember what has happened in the scene immediately preceding this one. What was Isabella's response at the end of that scene? How might that help determine her attitude as she enters here? What is she expecting to accomplish here? What does she expect of her brother?  
 
 
 
 
10 The Duke and the Provost go aside to talk here. Where would you have them be on stage? Why does the Duke want to be concealed? How much does the Duke really hear the conversation between Claudio and Isabella? What is his reaction? What difference would that make?  
 
 
 
 
11 What is Isabella's attitude toward Claudio here? Is she speaking more as sister or as a nun (although she isn't one yet)?  
 
 
 
 
12 What do you make of the metaphor of Claudio being Angelo's ambassador (lieger) to heaven? Why does Isabella use this figure of speech?  
 
 
 
 
13 What is most important to Isabella in this conversation? to Claudio?  
 
 
 
 
14 Note Isabella's language here. She uses oxymoron and paradox here. In what way(s) might these figures of speech reveal the significant issues at stake in this scene?  
 
 
 
 
15 Isabella uses the metaphor of stripping the bark from a tree. In this case, honor is the bark. What does this metaphor reveal about Isabella's sense of honor (that is, what happens when you strip the bark from a tree is it merely naked?)?  
 
 
 
 
16 Why does Isabella say she fears Claudio? What is her attitude toward her brother here? What kind of emotional strategy is Isabella employing here?  
 
 
 
 
17 What is Claudio's response?  
 
 
 
 
18 Note Isabella's response to here brother here. Why does she make reference to their father?  
 
 
 
 
19 Prenzie means princely in what way is Claudio's response ironic? Is he surprised? shocked? unbelieving?  
 
 
 
 
20 Here, for the first time, Isabella lets Claudio know about the bargain Angelo suggested..  
 
 
 
 
21 Isabella says that the deed is one she does abhor to name. What does her statement reveal about her?  
 
 
 
 
22 Note Claudio's first response. How would you have him deliver this line?  
 
 
 
 
23 Why does Isabella regard her honor above her live? How do you respond to this priority? Why?  
 
 
 
 
24 Somewhere around here Claudio begins to change his attitude. Where? What is the nature of the change?  
 
 
 
 
25 How has Claudio changed here? Why does he now seem to fear death?  
 
 
 
 
26 Here the two value systems are in clear conflict.  
 
 
 
 
27 Look carefully at the imagery Claudio uses in this speech. Why is it significant? What does it reveal?  
 
 
 
 
28 How would you have Isabella deliver this line? What does she mean by alas?  
 
 
 
 
29 How would you respond to Claudio's argument here?  
 
 
 
 
30 Why does Isabella call Claudio a beast?  
 
 
 
 
31 Does Isabella's change in attitude make sense (any more than Claudio's)?  
 
 
 
 
32 Again Isabella refers to their parents, this time suggesting that Claudio is not his father's son. Why is this approach significant?  
 
 
 
 
33 How do we respond to Isabella's strong response C to telling her brother that she will do nothing to save him? Is she sympathetic here? Explain.  
 
 
 
 
34 Isabella tells Claudio that his Asin is really something habitual (a Atrade) with him, that mercy would be a means of condoning or enabling sinful behavior. Why, in her opinion, would it be best for Claudio to die?  
 
 
 
 
35 Why does the Duke choose this moment to break into the conversation? (Again, remember that he seems a friar, one with spiritual authority over Isabella.)  
 
 
 
 
36 Is the Duke telling Claudio the truth here? How do we respond to the Duke's speech? How does Claudio respond?  
 
 
 
 
37 This speech is another instance of the question of whether the ends justify the means. Is it appropriate to deceive someone in order to achieve good ends? What do you think of the Duke's character at this point? of his actions?  
 
 
 
 
38 Does Claudio's response validate the Duke's strategy? Explain.  
 
 
 
 
39 Probably the Provost and Claudio leave at this point.  
 
 
 
 
40 Here the Duke here suggests that real beauty consists of inner goodness, and that Isabella has a soul of grace or goodness.  
 
 
 
 
41 What do the Duke's comments about Angelo reveal about his understanding of human nature?  
 
 
 
 
42 Note again the use of dramatic irony. What is its effect here?  
 
 
 
 
43 Note that the Duke's statement reinforces what Angelo had said to Isabella C on one will believe her, for Angelo's reputation is spotless  
 
 
 
 
44 Here begins the Duke's proposal of a way out the famous bed trick of substituting another woman for Isabella. Why is it significant that it is the Duke making this proposal?  
 
 
 
 
45 How, if at all, is Angelo's relationship with Mariana any different from Claudio's with Julietta? You may want to research the Renaissance ideas about betrothal and marriage, for they were different from those of today. How might you make modern audiences aware of these matters?  
 
 
 
 
46 What does Angelo's treatment of Mariana reveal about him?  
 
 
 
 
47 What is Isabella's reaction to this situation?  
 
 
 
 
48 In what way does the Duke appeal to Isabella here?  
 
 
 
 
49 Here in full is the bed trick proposal. Put the proposition in your own words.  
 
 
 
 
50 What are we to think of this proposal?  
 
 
 
 
51 How has Isabella's attitude changed by this point?