Isabella, a young nun, is a central character in William Shakespeare's play Measure for Measure. Throughout the play, she is faced with difficult moral decisions and is ultimately forced to confront and evaluate her own beliefs and values. In this essay, we will perform a critical analysis of Isabella's character, examining how she navigates the complex and often corrupt world of Vienna and how she grapples with issues of justice, mercy, and personal agency.
At the beginning of the play, Isabella is presented as a devout and pure young woman who is devoted to her faith and her brother, Claudio. When Claudio is sentenced to death for impregnating Juliet, Isabella pleads for mercy on his behalf, arguing that he has repented for his wrongdoing and should be spared. However, the cruel and manipulative Duke Vincentio, who is pretending to be the friar in order to observe the goings-on in the city, refuses to grant mercy unless Isabella agrees to sleep with him. Isabella is horrified by the Duke's proposition and firmly rejects it, stating that she would rather die than compromise her virtue.
This refusal to compromise her morals in the face of temptation is one of the defining characteristics of Isabella's character. She is unwavering in her commitment to her values and her beliefs, and she is willing to stand up for what she thinks is right, even when it is difficult or unpopular. This is exemplified by her confrontation with the Duke, as well as her later interaction with Angelo, the Deputy, who also demands that she sleep with him in exchange for her brother's life. Isabella again refuses, and instead pleads with Angelo to show mercy and spare her brother's life.
However, while Isabella's moral fortitude is admirable, it is also her flaw. She is so committed to her ideals that she is unable to see the complexities of the world around her and the nuances of different situations. This is exemplified in her interactions with the Duke, whom she initially sees as a holy man and a source of guidance, but later realizes is a corrupt and manipulative figure. Similarly, she is unable to understand the Duke's plan to save her brother and bring justice to Vienna, and instead becomes angry and frustrated with him when he reveals his true identity.
Overall, Isabella is a complex and dynamic character who grapples with difficult moral dilemmas and confronts the corruption and injustice of the world around her. While she is admirable for her steadfast commitment to her values, she also has a tendency to be inflexible and unable to see the bigger picture. Nevertheless, her growth and development throughout the play is a testament to her strength and resilience, and she ultimately emerges as a wiser and more compassionate person.