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A Feminist Perspective on Measure for Measure

"Measure for Measure," is a play about a woman on her knees. It is quite bothersome that her status in the play, socially, morally, and physically, only touches few sympathies. Marcia Reefer would share this bother. In her feminist essay entitled "Instruments of Some More Mightier Member" The Construction of Female Power in Measure for Measure," she speaks about how Isabella is trapped in a situation, that no matter her decision, she will still be looked at as making a mistake. Reifer and I share the opinion that Isabella is a strong witted and wonderfully unique individual that possesses higher personal values than anyone in the play is.

Isabella's role in "Measure" is commonly viewed as being that of a "narrow minded but passionate girl afflicted with an irrational terror of sex" (Barton 546). Her role in the play is sometimes considered only important as far as the lines of comedy go. However I believe that her role is crucial in understanding, and unfolding the play's contextual themes. In parts of the play I found that Isabella's speeches become almost monosyllabic, and simple, where the central issues are revealed. She speaks very clearly that while she would die for her brot

The view of women in " Measure" is hard to discuss because it offers the reader such a wide variety of possibilities. However when comprehending the last scene I had no choice but to view Isabella as a very good soul, that of a strong character that receives much scrutiny. The respect that I have for her comes when she realizes that her "softness" is actually a great strength. I had not fully understood this until Mariana shows her what mercy really is. When the Duke condemns Angelo to death Mariana begs for his mercy, Isabella then realizes that she is, and cannot be the judge of anyone. So she begs with Marianna for Angelo's life to be sparred. She does this because she understands compassion, she does it for Mariana's sake. This is where I fully understand the character of Isabella. She has managed to over come any selfishness that she had previously held, all the while she has maintained her faith in what she believes in, and she never gives the Duke what he wants.

her, the violation of her soul, which would come in the shame of yielding her body to another's lust, is too great a price to pay.

In profiting by them. Nay, call us ten times frail;

Than that a sister, by redeeming him

Should die for ever. (II.iv. 106-109)

Women? Help, heaven! Men their creation mar

She probably meant that such a confirmation of stereotypical female frailty seemed inappropriate from a strong Isabella. I also believe that while Isabella uses the familiar derogatory image of women starring into mirrors for hours, she alters the expected Renaissance moral about women's inconsistency and vanity in order to speak against men's cruelty. As the glasses can be broken, the images and reflections can be broken as

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Approximate Word count = 1184
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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