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Measure for Measure

Main Navigation

  • Story
    • Plot
    • Timeline
    • Scene-by-scene
  • Character
    • Who's who
    • Relationships
    • Analysis
  • Language
    • Key Terms
    • Key Scenes
    • Analysis
  • Staging
    • Setting
    • Productions
    • Performing

Who's who

  • Isabella

    A young woman who is training to become a nun. She is Claudio’s sister.

  • Duke Vincentio

    The Governor of Vienna who disguises himself as a friar and leaves Angelo in charge.

  • Angelo

    The duke’s deputy and a man of strict standards. He is in charge of Vienna while the duke is away.

  • Claudio

    Isabella’s brother who is sentenced to death for getting his fiancée pregnant.

  • Mariana

    A young woman who used to be engaged to Angelo. She is still in love with him and lives in a country house surrounded by a moat.

  • Lucio

    An outspoken bachelor who slanders the duke and is forced to marry a prostitute.

  • Mistress Overdone

    The keeper of a brothel who discovers that Angelo is going to shut down her business.

  • Escalus

    A lord who is loyal to the duke and advises Angelo to be less strict in his behaviour.

  • Elbow

    A well-meaning but overworked constable who causes confusion by getting his words wrong.

  • Pompey

    A pimp who works for Mistress Overdone. He escapes a jail sentence by taking a job as executioner.

  • Juliet

    Claudio’s fiancée. She is pregnant with their first child.

  • Provost

    The prison-keeper who is responsible for carrying out Angelo’s orders.

Teacher Notes

More Info

The following activity is a great way to explore the idea of power and which characters hold the most power.

Power and Status (2011)

The activity can be found on page 10 and takes approximately 40 minutes.

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