The Importance Of Religion In Shakespeare's 'Measure For Measure'

Measure for Measure: Illustration Essay In Shakespearian time, it was a tense time for religious people because of the constant switch between Catholic and Protestant leaders. It was a struggle against Catholic and Protestant believers to get their beliefs and idea’s out to the public and to follow their code. The beliefs of the Catholics was reigning at the time Shakespeare wrote “Measure for Measure” and had a major influence on his writing; so much that he incorporated it as a major theme. Shakespeare felt that at the time there were lots of extremists who used religion as a reason to follow their visions and follow through. Religion is a driving force behind people’s decisions and opens them up to abuse religion for their own corrupt needs …show more content…
In act 1, scene 3, we see the Duke ask Friar Thomas to give him a habit to be disguised as a Friar so that the Duke can keep track of Angelo’s actions. The Duke abuses his power to gain a religious power that he would not normally have access to and because the Duke is asking, it has a strong influence on whether or not Friar Thomas will say yes or no to the Duke. “And to behold his sway I will, as t’were a brother of your order, Visit both prince and people. Therefore, I prithee, Supply me with the habit, and instruct me How I may formally in person bear Like a true Friar. More reasons for this action At our Leisure shall I render you.” (I, iii, 43-49). In act 1, scene 4, we see Lucio asking Isabella to speak to Angelo to try and persuade him to change his mind about Claudio’s execution. Lucio is trying to get Isabella to abuse her high religious status in order to change Angelo’s thoughts of executing Claudio and to stop Angelo’s unwarranted abuse of power. “Assay the power you have…My power? Alas, I doubt…Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt. Go to Lord Angelo, and let him learn to know, when maidens sue Men give like gods, but when they weep and kneel, All their petitions are as freely theirs As they themselves would owe them…I’ll see what I can do.” (I, iv, 76-84). Overall, we can see the power that religious power has to influence others in act …show more content…
In act 3, scene 1, we see the Duke abusing his religious status and making his bed trick appeal to the religious beliefs in order for Isabella and Mariana to agree to his plan. The Duke’s plan involves keeping Isabella’s virginity intact (appealing to her vow of virginity) and brining Mariana and Angelo in a marriage (Appealing to the belief at the time about getting married by a priest) all using his status as a religious figure to more easily persuade and corrupt these normally un-corrupt people. “And here, by this, is your brother saved, your honor untainted, the poor Mariana advantaged, and the corrupt deputy scaled.” (III, I, 254-257). A religious guise is used by people so they can abuse their powers in order to get their corrupt plans