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MEASURE FOR MEASUREby William ShakespeareStaging Act II, Scene iv

Prior to Act II Scene iv, we have been finding out about the characters and their views of how life should be lived. These initial impressions will help us to understand how the characters would act in this scene.

We first hear of Isabella from her brother Claudio. From him we discover Isabella's desire to be a nun, which tells us a little about her character and attitudes towards life and society. We can foresee that Isabella will have a spiritual and chaste character. When we first encounter her in Act I, she is arguing for stricter rules in her convent, giving the impression that she may be too severe and harsh towards herself. Also, the fact that she wants to spend her life enclosed in a convent could show us that perhaps she wishes to escape from the reality of life in the outside world. Her purity and piety should be reflected in her costume. The actress should wear a very simple long white concealing dress or a similar nuns habit to show her innocence and morality.

Lord An...

Posted by: Leonard Herriman

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