The Dual Character Of Angelo For Measure

Angelo the deputy to the duke or second in command may just seem like another sex-crazed idiot and that may be true but he is also two people walking around in the same body. How you ask is it possible for two people to occupy the same singular body? Dr. Jackal and Mr. Hyde come to mind when thinking of the two versions of Angelo sharing a body by day he works to rid the city of Vienna of all sexual impurities but by night he seeks the virtue of a woman promised to a life of abstinence. This complete contrast of character is why Angelo clearly suffers from dual personality disorder and why he is top different people one “good” and one bad.

When first introduced to Angelo you see him as a well-mannered obedient second in command to the duke a model citizen. “Always obedient to your grace’s will, I come to know your pleasure” (pg. 845,25). Angelo say this quote with two sets of thought present almost as if the response is two different

“which had you rather: that the most just law now took your brother’s life, or, to redeem him, Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness (Pg. 854,52). This is the point where the different version of Angelo shows himself the most and you can see his true intentions. Instead of trying to help Isabella save her brother from a crime that shouldn’t really be considered a crime that is like being arrested for opening and drinking a soda before you buy it at the supermarket. Your thirsty and have every intention of purchasing it at the check out lanes but you thirst can’t wait until then. It was as if it was all an elaborate scheme to sleep with a woman that had devoted herself to god through nun work and lifelong abstinence. The temptation of forbidden fruit was too great for Angelo to handle so he had to come up with a way to get what he wanted no matter what it cost