There is a recurring theme in Measure for Measure, a paradoxical relationship between vice and virtue where one becomes a vehicle for the other. This is reflected in both the plot, such as the duke’s deceptive approach to justice, as well as in the actual language of the characters.
Deception becomes a means for learning the truth and meting out justice. The duke disguises himself as a friar so he may learn about the goings on of the city: “Hence shall we see, / If power changes purpose, what our seemers be” (1.4.54). In this quote the duke reveals his intention to disguise himself, so he may discover Angelo’s true nature, not just who he seems to be. But what does this reveal about the duke’s own nature? He prefers to manipulate in shade, rather than govern in a straight forward manner.
The duke’s questionable antics allow him to bring about what he perceives as a happy ending. Once he discovers the truth about Angelo he uses his disguise as a friar to save Claudio’s life, Isabella’s virginity and Mariana’s betrothal. He uses a morally questionable instrument to balance the scales.
Isabella’s virtue becomes a vehicle for sin in that her purity and innocence incites carnal desire in Angelo. Also, her unyielding adherence to the oath she made to the church forces her to abandon the one way of saving her brother’s life.
After Isabella’s supplication, Angelo admits that: “Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue” (2.3.180). Isabella’s saintliness is highly desirable to Angelo, perhaps because he sees himself as an upstanding man up to that point. Or perhaps because he represents that quality in human nature that desires to defile that which is pure. In either case her chastity becomes a vehicle for lasciviousness.
Escalus echoes this theme in act 2 scene 1, when he says: “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.” Angelo “falls” because of Isabella’s virtue. Similarly, one could argue that Isabella falls because of her own virtue in that she is so chaste she is causes the audience to question her morality. What really is the good of virtue, it one will not sacrifice a part of themselves to save the life of one they love?
Sarah, you could further strengthen this already strong insight by noting that Angelo has justified abandoning Mariana by saying he’s heard lewd gossip about her, although it’s pretty clear that the loss of her dowry is the real motivation for his breaking his promise to her. He needs to think that she’s NOT virtuous in order to keep up his own self-image.
Isn’t it interesting how those who live under the aura of virtue and respectability will find a way to not only excuse their bad deeds but feel morally justified? There are serious psychological issues at play here. Measure for Measure shows how much the “righteous” seem to value the appearance of virtue rather than actually living that way.