Measure for Measure

In the beginning of the play, the Duke of Vienna must leave the city and decides to leave Angelo in charge with full authority to enforce the law and punish those who disobey it. The Duke seems very confident in Angelo’s abilities to rule Vienna in his absence as he describes, “your scope is as mine own, so to enforce or qualify the laws” (1.1.64-65).  As to where and why the Duke must leave is unexplained. The Duke seems to be a well-spoken and noble figure that cares for his people, but in Act 1 scene 3 we see that his actions are questionable and a bit shady since he is actually in hiding to observe Angelo. The Duke speaks about how Vienna has had “strict statutes and most biting laws” (1.3.19) which he admits he has let slip for years. It becomes clearer that the Duke feels the people are out of control and order needs to be brought back. Since the Duke has always been so lenient, he does not want to seem like a tyrant if he starts to enforce the law, therefore he is hoping Angelo will do all the dirty work for him. The Duke comments “I love the people, but do not like to stage me to their eyes. Though it do well, I do not relish well their loud applause and aves vehement” (1.1.67-70). Although the Duke claims he does not enjoy the acclamation of his people, it seems that he is setting himself up for it because he’s worried if he starts enforcing the law the people will hate him and view him as a tyrant. Since the people are so use to leniency when it comes to the law, if Angelo starts to enforce the law, they will end up hating him and love the Duke even more when he returns.

In Act 1 we can already see that the Duke is untrustworthy and unfit to rule since he can not except responsibility. The Duke is aware that it is his fault the people are out of control and order must be enforced but, he decides to give that task to someone else while he just sits back and watches, only to return when all the hard work is done. All he seems to care about is the adoration and respect of his people without putting in the work for it.