A Character Analysis of Angelo: Outer Angel and Inner Devil

A Character Analysis of Angelo: Outer Angel and Inner Devil

There is a wide array of deceptiveness within the play “Measure for Measure.” While some of the reasons for deception are good, other reasons are filled with evil and only for personal gain. Angelo is a perfect example of one of the characters within this play who uses his deceptive nature for evil and only for the gratification of himself. He is given a very superior and authoritative role by Vincentio, the Duke, and extends his powers to the most extreme of measures. Unlike the Duke, Angelo is stern and goes to the furthest extent to have his voice be heard. This complex play allows the reader to see two sides of Angelo, his outer angel and his inner devil. By exploring the reasons for which these two traits can be determined, the reader gets a better understanding of Angelo’s character and determines for him or herself which trait is more dominant over the other.

Angelo believes himself to be the model for good behavior. Before the Duke leaves the city of Vienna, he does not rule under a strict thumb. The Duke leaves Angelo to keep rule over the city during his absence because he knows that Angelo will rid the city of the numerous amounts of fighting and fornication that has been going on in Vienna. The Duke speaks in (I.iii.19-21) “We have strict statutes and most biting laws,/ The needful bit and curbs to headlong weeds,/ Which for this fourteen years we have let slip…”Angelo is stern in his character and the Duke is fully aware that Angelo will make sure that the laws of the land are upheld.

Since Angelo is portraying to be the model for good behavior, there has to be an example made out of someone. Unfortunately, Claudio is the one who reaps the wrath of Angelo. Escalus understands that there has to be something done about Claudio’s offense of the law, but it does not seem as if he is in total agreement when Angelo sentences Claudio to death for fornication. As a result of Escalus’ disagreement with Angelo he states, “You may not so extenuate his offense/ For I have had such faults; but rather tell me, / When I that censures him do offend…” (II.i.27-29). The statement made by Angelo serves as a foreshadowing statement for the end of the play. While Claudio is to be out to death for impregnating his fiancй, Angelo fornicates in a way completely unlike Claudio.

Angelo’s unwavering authority gets the best of him. In an effort to deceive Isabella into thinking that he will free her brother if she sleeps with him, he is fooled. Angelo is entangled in a web he has woven himself. Not only does he commit fornication by sleeping with the person he thinks is Isabella, he calls for Claudio’s beheading to proceed. Seemingly, all along, Angelo never has intentions of letting Claudio free. He lusts for Isabella and wants to have sex with her for his own personal satisfaction. This is a perfect example of his inner devil. His sinful nature proves his hypocrisy thus allowing the reader to understand his true person. In his quest to perfect others, he does not want his imperfections to be revealed thus relating the theme of appearance versus reality to his inner devil and the outer angel