Key Quotations

Act 1

"Now, good my lord, Let there be some more test made of my metal, Before so noble and so great a figure Be stamp'd upon it."

• Angelo requests the Duke to test his worthiness before bestowing him with such a high responsibility.
• This quote uses the metaphor ("metal" and "stamp'd") to highlight Angelo's hesitation and humility. It sets the stage for the exploration of authority and the burden of power.
• Key themes: Authority, responsibility, humility.

"Thus can the demigod, Authority, Make us pay down for our offense by weight The words of heaven: on whom it will, it will; On whom it will not, so; yet still 'tis just."

• Claudio comments on the arbitrary nature of authority and justice.
• The quote uses personification ("demigod, Authority") and metaphor ("pay down for our offense by weight") to critique the often capricious application of justice.
• Key themes: Authority, justice, power.

"We have strict statutes and most biting laws, The needful bits and curbs to headstrong steeds, Which for this nineteen years we have let slip; Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave That goes not out to prey."

• The Duke reflects on the neglected enforcement of laws in Vienna.
• This quote uses simile and metaphor ("headstrong steeds," "o'ergrown lion") to describe the consequences of lax governance.
• Key themes: Law, governance, neglect.

"Thy bones are hollow; impiety has made a feast of thee."

• The Duke criticizes Lucio for his immoral behaviour.
• The quote uses the metaphor ("bones are hollow") and personification ("impiety has made a feast") to emphasize the moral corruption of the characters.
• Key themes: Morality, corruption, and consequences.

Act 2

"Condemn the fault, and not the actor of it? Why, every fault's condemned ere it be done: Mine were the very cipher of a function, To fine the faults whose fine stands in record, And let go by the actor."

• Angelo argues that justice must condemn the act, not just the individual.
• The quote uses rhetorical questions and metaphor ("cipher of a function") to discuss the nature of justice and accountability.
• Key themes: Justice, accountability, morality.

"O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant."

• Isabella pleads with Angelo to show mercy, warning against the abuse of power.
• The quote uses the simile ("like a giant") and juxtaposition to highlight the dangers of misusing authority.
• Key themes: Mercy, power, authority.

"The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept: Those many had not dared to do that evil If the first that did the edict infringe Had answered for his deed: now 'tis awake."

• Angelo defends his strict enforcement of the law.
• The quote uses the metaphor (law as a living entity) to discuss the revival of strict legal enforcement.
• Key themes: Law, justice, enforcement.

"It is the law, not I, condemn your brother; Were he my kinsman, brother, or my son, It should be thus with him: he must die tomorrow."

• Angelo insists that his hands are tied by the law regarding Claudio's execution.
• The quote emphasizes the theme of impersonal justice and the harsh application of law.
• Key themes: Law, justice, impartiality.

Act 3

"The miserable have no other medicine, But only hope: I've hope to live, and am prepared to die."

• Claudio speaks of the despair of the condemned and the faint hope that remains.
• The quote uses juxtaposition and antithesis to convey Claudio's conflicting emotions of hope and resignation.
• Key themes: Hope, despair, mortality.

"If I must die, I will encounter darkness as a bride, And hug it in mine arms."

• Claudio expresses his resolve to face death bravely.
• The quote uses the metaphor (darkness as a bride) to illustrate Claudio's acceptance of his fate.
• Key themes: Death, acceptance, bravery.

"Be absolute for death; either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter."

• The Duke advises Claudio to accept his impending death with resolve.
• The quote uses paradox and imperative to suggest that acceptance can make life or death more bearable.
• Key themes: Acceptance, death, and resolution.

"I will not consent to die this day, that's certain."

• Barnardine refuses to cooperate with his execution.
• The quote uses blunt and direct language to highlight Barnardine's defiance and the absurdity of his situation.
• Key themes: Defiance, absurdity, death.

Act 4

"The hand that hath made you fair hath made you good: the goodness that is cheap in beauty makes beauty brief in goodness; but grace, being the soul of your complexion, should keep the body of it ever fair."

• The Duke praises Mariana's inner and outer beauty.
• The quote uses metaphor and antithesis to explore the relationship between physical beauty and moral goodness.
• Key themes: Beauty, virtue, grace.

"Justice, O royal Duke! Vail your regard Upon a wrong'd, I would fain have said, a maid!"

• Mariana appeals to the Duke for justice.
• The quote uses apostrophe and an interrupted statement to convey Mariana's plea and the urgency of her situation.
• Key themes: Justice, plea, urgency.

"The best and wholesomest spirits of the night envelope you, good provost! Who call'd here of late?"

• The Duke, disguised as a friar, blesses the provost.
• The quote uses the metaphor and personification to create a sense of calm and protection.
• Key themes: Protection, blessing, calm.

"O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side!"

• The Duke reflects on the duality of human nature.
• The quote uses metaphor and juxtaposition to highlight the contrast between external appearance and internal reality.
• Key themes: Duality, appearance vs. reality, human nature.

Act 5

"Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure."

• The Duke speaks of the balance and reciprocity of justice.
• The quote uses antithesis and repetition to emphasize the concept of justice and retribution.
• Key themes: Justice, balance, reciprocity.

"An Angelo for Claudio, death for death! Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure."

• The Duke declares that Angelo will face the same punishment he imposed on Claudio.
• The quote uses parallelism and repetition to underscore the principle of poetic justice.
• Key themes: Justice, retribution, fairness.

"They say best men are molded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad: so may my husband."

• Mariana argues that people can improve by learning from their mistakes.
• The quote uses paradox and antithesis to suggest that flaws can lead to personal growth and betterment.
• Key themes: Redemption, growth, imperfection.

"What's mine is yours, and what is yours is mine."

• The Duke proposes to Isabella, expressing a desire for shared life and possessions.
• The quote uses parallelism and simplicity to convey the Duke's straightforward and sincere proposal.
• Key themes: Unity, partnership, sincerity.