MOM 2006 journal for pdf.pmd - University of Michigan-Flint

SOME MEASURE OF JUSTICE:
WHAT DOES MARIANA GET OUT OF THIS DEAL?
Megan Donahue
Faculty Sponsor: Maureen Thum
Department of English, University of Michigan-Flint
In Measure for Measure, Mariana is faced with a unique opportunity: she can simultaneously
save a man’s life, and a woman’s chastity. All she has to do is sleep with the man who ruined her
life.
Mariana does it. Why?
The Duke believes that although Mariana has been scorned, jilted and ruined, she still is madly
in love with Angelo. When introducing his plan of substitution to Isabella, he explains: “This
forenamed maid hath yet in her the continuance of her first affection. His unjust unkindness, that
in all reason should have quenched her love, hath, like an impediment in the current, made it
more violent and unruly (3.1.241-245).”
The Duke’s theory of cruelty breeding a wild affection seems decidedly unlikely. Angelo has
been incredibly cruel to Mariana. When her brother, and more importantly it seems, her dowry,
perished at sea, Angelo was not content to only break off the betrothal. He also spread lies about
her, “pretending in her discoveries of dishonor (3.1.229).” Thus, Angelo effectively ruined
Mariana’s chances for marriage with anybody else. In a society where both virginity and wealth
were highly prized, an impoverished woman with a shady reputation didn’t have much of a
chance.This being the case, it is hard to imagine Mariana cherishing romantic notions about
Angelo.
Even if the audience does not question the Duke’s assessment of Mariana in Act 3.1, Mariana’s
actual appearance presents a challenge. When the Duke, disguised as a friar, comes to tell
Mariana of his brilliant plot, she is clearly depressed. She looks to the friar to soothe her
“brawling discontent (4.1.9).” “Brawling discontent” is hardly crazed affection. She is unhappy
with her situation. She is woeful. That her discontent is “brawling,” rather than “weeping”,
suggests that’s she’s not only sad, she’s angry. She sits, with only a young musician for company,
and seems ashamed even of taking pleasure from the music. “I cry you mercy, sir, and well could
wish you had not found me here so musical. Let me excuse me, and believe me so: my mirth it
much displeased, but pleased my woe (4.1.10-13).” Tellingly, she mentions that she has “sat here
all day (4.1.19-20).” She has no family, apparently no friends, and no husband. She is utterly
bereft. In the course of a song and a few short lines, Shakespeare presents a woman with nothing
to lose.
It is in this state of despair that the plot is introduced to Mariana. The audience never sees the
conversation she has with Isabella, but when the two women return to the Duke, Mariana has
agreed to the plan, if her friar advises it. Shakespeare did not give his audience the argument
Isabella made, or the reasons Mariana agreed. Rather, he only shows Mariana’s final resolve:
“Fear me not (4.1.68).”
Meeting of Minds 2006
16