Measure for Measure: The fault of Isabella is that she is excessively pious and too proud

Isabellas character blossoms in debate, on a mo of occasions throughout the play she can be perceived as being as well self-righteous and overly imperial. This perception of Isabella is evidenced in the play when she puts her virginity and spiritual tone ahead of her brothers life which hangs in the balance, this panorama is emphasised when she refuses Angelos proposal to save Claudios life. However it can to a fault be argued that Isabellas actions and closings can also support the view that Isabella is a symbolizationic representation for chastity and virtue.Thus Isabellas character is a perfect exemplification of luggage compartment versus soul as her actions and ratiocinations can be debated and argued thoroughly. Isabella can also be seen as a champion of mercy by the way she begs for Angelos life in the final scene of the play. The view that Isabella is overly pious is supported the instance we meet her character as she rather wishes a more(prenominal) tight re straint on the sisterhood. This gives the audience the idea that Isabella believes the sisterhood is too lenient and she believes there should be more rules and restrictions.The use of wishes is effective as it shows that Isabella hoped to have more rules and restraint posed on her as a nun therefore supporting the view that Isabella is excessively pious. Isabella can also be seen as excessively pious when she puts her chastity ahead of her brothers life More than our brother is our chastity. Isabella can be seen as too proud as a result of this decision as many of the audience will protest with the view.The use of our brother is effective as Isabella is associating the view with all of the audience. However it can also be argued that Isabellas decision to put her chastity ahead of her brothers life shows that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she value her spiritual life more than her brothers physical life. Isabella shows how serious her spiritual life is to her when she becomes distraught as a result of Claudios proposal to agree with Angelos demands. O you beastO you faithless coward O you dishonest wretch This attack on Claudio will be seen as severe by the audience as Claudio fears expiry and the unknown, but ultimately he wants to live O please sister let me live. However Isabella appears to be ignorant of his desires and emotions O, fie, fie, fie , therefore the audience will feel sympathetic for Claudio but will also view Isabella as single minded and inflexible as she only seems to consider the effect the illegitimate call forth will have on her character.Thus Isabella can easily be viewed as being too proud. Isabellas devotion to her virginity is also measured by Angelo as he offers Isabella the chance to save her brothers life if she lays see the treasures of your body to this supposed or else let him suffer. The use of treasures is effective as Angelo knows Isabellas virginity is everything to her, and hence it is her excessive god liness and the fact she is proud that earns Angelo to her. in that locationfore this exposes Isabellas flaw and hence fault as her virtue and piety attract Angelo. However Isabella bluntly refuses Angelos proposal Id wear as rubies, and trip myself to death as to a make do that longing have been sick for, ere Id yield my body to shame. The speech is Isabellas speech contrasts her philosophy the use of strip myself to death as to a bed is effective as she is unknowingly attracting Angelo to her sexually but is ultimately refusing him.Isabella believes her body will be put to shame as a result of illegitimate sex with Angelo, and therefore gives no inclination of accepting the proposal for the sake of Claudios life. Indeed she again only continues to think about the preserve the act will have on her character, therefore again supporting the view that she is too proud of her status and excessively pious. However her stern refusal of Angelos proposal most pernicious purpose support s the view that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she decides to refuse the proposal without hesitation.The audience will also empathise with Isabellas decision and if anything will be sceptical of her status if she was to accept the proposal. Isabella can be seen as merciful when she begs with Mariana for Angelos life Thoughts are no subjects, intents but merely thoughts. The audience will disagree with Isabellas mercy towards Angelo as he tried to take her virginity and hence her life away from her virgin violator, until now she is pleading for his life to be saved. in that respectfore Isabellas actions agree with the view that she is a champion of mercy as she is willing to forgive Angelos intentions and thoughts. Isabellas language again contradicts her philosophy and her status of being excessively pious. Christianity as a religion is based upon ideas of ideas and thoughts, however according to Isabella thoughts are no subjects. Therefore the audience will question Is abellas status as a nun and if she devoted to the church as we have become accustomed to throughout the majority of the play.There are many arguments to support both of these views. However I believe the arguments for the view that Isabella is a symbol for virtue and chastity outweigh the arguments supporting Isabella as being too proud and excessively pious. There is ambiguity in many of Isabellas actions and decisions which bring Isabellas character into debate. I believe Shakespeare presents Isabella as a symbol for virtue and chastity as she ultimately puts her spiritual life and virginity ahead of her brothers life which hung in the balance.