Angelo defends his conviction and execution of Claudio in Act 2 in the face of Escalus' protests that he himself might one day find himself in the same situation. He argues that
I do not deny
The jury passing on the prisoner's life
May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
Guiltier than him they try. . . . [But]
You may not so extenuate his offense
For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
When I that censure him do so offend,
Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
And nothing come in partial (2.1.19-21;29-33).
In this speech he argues that empathy has no place in jurisprudence and that a judge's own vice and guilt should play no role in her rulings. Yet, is this ideal of consistency too difficult to achieve? Isn't this a recipe for hypocrisy? After all, even the virtuous Angelo (his name suggests virtuous perfection) fails to live up to his own strict standards. Yet, on the other hand, when his crime (the very same act of fornication he convicts Claudio of committing) he clings to his ideal of consistency and retribution: "But let my trial be mine own confession./ Immediate sentence then and sequent death / Is all the grace I beg." (5.1.418-20).
What is this play telling us about such things as hypocrisy and consistency?
Measure per Measure suggests many hypocrites do not intend to disobey their promises when they make their vows, but fear causes them to depart from promises. Angelo, for example, makes a statement at the beginning of the play when arguing with Isabel, "Let mine own judgment pattern out my death, / And nothing come in partial" (2.1.19-21;29-33). He claims he would treat himself the same as Claudio if he commited adultery. Later, Angelo starts to have feelings towards Isabel and mentions, "Never could the strumpet / With all her double vigor, art and nature, / Once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid subdues me quite" (2.2.220-23). Angelo's words suggest he never thought he would violate the law because he never had feelings toward any woman. The latter part demonstrates Isabel becomes the unexpected factor that eventually makes him commit adultery.
ReplyDeleteAngelo becomes a hypocrites later in the show because of fear. He promises to let Claudio live if Isabel sleeps with him but changes his mind after sleeping with "Isabel." Angelo argues, "He should have lived, / Save that his riotous youth with dangerous sense / Might in the times to come have ta'en revenge / By so receiving a dishonored life
With ransom of such shame" (4.4.30-34). Angelo disobeys his promise because of fear of avenge from Claudio. Similarly, when Isabel makes a statement about Angelo's adultery to the Duke, he denies her word by saying, "She will speak most bitterly and strange" (5.1.42). Angelo clearly does not follow his promise to treat himself the same as Claudio. He again breaks his promise because he fears death or losing his reputation.
I would agree with the idea of consistency over a judge's personal beliefs swaying the decision because it would allow people to not rely on their judge being nice in order to win their case. I do not think that consistency is too difficult to achieve because it is one of the most basic elements of the law: everyone is equal under it, and no one can get away with committing a crime. Consistency is a recipe for hypocrisy because when you allow personal bias to impact a decision, a judge can change a life on a whim instead of with reason. Ideally, if the laws are created in a democratic and fair way, then they should be enforced fairly as well. The Claudio situation is considered not fair to the general population, so that is the problem. It is not the fact that they are enforcing it consistently. The law itself is too harsh.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am so sorry that this is late. Since the assignment had no submission, it completely disappeared from my agenda!
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