Themes in the First Act of Measure for Measure

Themes in the First Act of Measure for Measure

In the first act of measure for measure the main themes of the play

are introduced. I intend to discuss the themes that I believe to be

the most important ones in this play.

There are quite a few themes that I can see after reading the first

act. Firstly there is appearance vs. reality. This applies to Angelo

especially, whose reputation and appearance of goodness do not match

the reality of who he truly is. Many people have opinions of Angelo.

Lucio for example says this:

"Lord Angelo, a man whose blood is very

snow broth."

Lucio repeats the Duke's descriptions of Angelo's seeming

invulnerability; his "blood is very snow broth," and he "never feels

the wanton stings and motions of the sense." It will be very ironic,

then, when this man who appears to be so very strict and pure falls to

temptation, as all people tend to do. So we can see that even the

common people of the city think Angelo is a decent character and this

also seems to be the opinion of the duke, because he believes Angelo

is good and trustworthy enough to rule Vienna. However, Angelo is not

all that he seems. He appears to be a very strict man who believes

very strongly in following the rules. His character seems to be

questioned when we learn that he has arrested Claudio for getting

Juliet pregnant, yet he lets the brothels stay open in the city. This

is saying that in one way he is condoning casual sex in leaving the

brothels open but he is condemning it by arresting Claudio, so he is

giving out very mixed messages. So already we see that Angelo is not

all that he seems.

Another important theme in the play is Moderation and mercy. These are

the two necessary qualities of a ruler that Angelo lacks, and which

make him a poor judge. Every ruler must govern with an eye for human

nature and its weaknesses, and show mercy for those who commit the