With Duke Vincentino, Shakespeare has created a very ambiguous character in "Measure for Measure", one that seems to split critics up into two camps – Is this Duke a figure of Christian Providence, who has complete control over his surroundings? Or should he be seen as a coward with inappropriate judgement will try to discuss it along the following research question: To what extent does Duke Vincentino act as a “playwright at work within the play”?
As a basis for the analysis I am going to introduce the Duke in a characterization, which will include a closer look at his personal traits as well as his relations with other characters in the play. After this overview of the Duke’s character and affairs, I will advance to analyzing them in context of the play more deeply. This part will consist of three subchap
ters, in which I will go into more detail of the different roles the Duke takes on throughout the play. First, in ‘The Disguise (Acts I.I-II.II)’, I will elaborate on the Duke’s motives to officially leave the city, but actually stay in disguise as Friar Lodowick. I will then proceed to the analysis of Acts II.II-IV, in which I hope to shine a light on the way the Duke pulls the strings of the other characters and thereby controls the plot, with a focus on his schemes that are often referred to as the ‘bedtrick’ and the ‘headtrick’. Finally, I am going to discuss the denouement in Act V.
Conclusively, I am going to discuss whether the Duke’s manipulations contribute to an achievement of justice or not. To finalize the conclusion, I am going to refer back to and possibly answer the research question presented above.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Duke Vincentino - A Characterization
- The Duke's Dramatic Function
- The Disguise (Acts I.I-II.II)
- Pulling the Strings (Acts II.III-IV.VI)
- The Bedtrick
- The Headtrick
- The Denouement (Act V)
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the complex character of Duke Vincentino in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure and to explore the extent to which he functions as a "playwright at work within the play." The analysis will delve into the Duke's characterization, his motives, and his actions throughout the play, examining his role in manipulating the plot and shaping the fates of the other characters.
- The Duke's Characterization and Ambiguity
- The Duke's Motives for Disguise and Intervention
- The Duke's Manipulation of Other Characters and the Plot
- The Duke's Use of Schemes and Deception
- The Duke's Concept of Justice and Moral Authority
Chapter Summaries
The introduction establishes the essay's research question, focusing on the Duke's role as a "playwright at work within the play." It sets the stage for the character analysis to follow.
The second chapter provides a detailed characterization of Duke Vincentino, examining his personality traits, his relationships with other characters, and the conflicting interpretations of his actions. It highlights the Duke's ambiguous nature and his role as a figure of both moral authority and questionable motives.
The third chapter dives into the Duke's dramatic function, analyzing his actions in three distinct phases: his disguise as Friar Lodowick, his manipulation of other characters through schemes like the "bedtrick" and the "headtrick," and the denouement in Act V. This chapter focuses on the Duke's control over the plot and his methods of achieving justice.
Keywords
Key terms and themes explored in this essay include Duke Vincentino, Measure for Measure, characterization, dramatic function, disguise, manipulation, bedtrick, headtrick, justice, moral authority, Christian ethics, play within a play.
- Quote paper
- Mette Freidel (Author), 2017, Duke Vincentino in Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure". The Playwright Within The Play, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/371980
