The Machiavellian Strategy through Puritanism in Measure for Measure and its Limitation

Abstract

In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare tried parodying the hypocritical puritanism of the rulers in Venice during the period of Renaissance, who made efforts to control the sexuality of the citizens. They regarded the liberal sexuality of the citizens as the force of revolt or disorder which would be the source of overthrowing their regime. In this paper, according to the theory of Foucault about ‘power’ I would like to analyze the Machiavellian strategy of the rulers by which they tried to contain the citizens’ sexuality with conspiring ideology of puritanism. In Measure for Measure, Duke entrusts his political power to Angelo temporarily by whom he would like to control the liberal tendency of society about sexuality. He then he proclaims that he would travel to Poland and wishes that the governor, Angelo, takes radical policy toward wanton citizens during his absence. As he expected, Angelo arrested Claudio and Juliet for their premarital love-making and pregnancy and condemns him to execution. Angelo rejects Isabella’s entreat to forgive her brother by declaring that ‘law is law,’ which means, according to Foucault’s theory of ‘power,’ that his decision is absolute without any exception almost like the righteousness of God’s will. However, Angelo ironically reveals an uncontrollable sexual desire toward pure and chaste Isabella, the apprentice nun whose image resembles the Virgin Mary. He suggests that he can release Claudio if she would accept his offer of having sex with him. As she rejects his sexual approach, he dares to violate her by force. In this context, Shakespeare tries parodying the hypocrisy of the governor who intends to control the sexuality, the life-force of the citizens. Isabella’s realization of Angelo’s duality leads her to revolt against him, which shows that her chastity can be the uncomfortable force in the process of containment of the ruler. In fact, Duke, as a invisible Machiavellian ruler, could be the real power who conspires to manipulate Isabella and Mariana for punishing Angelo’s dual policy which is too strict to the citizen, on the other hand too generous for his own hypocrisy. He leads two women to participate in bed-trick to reveal Angelo’s hypocrisy about sexuality. Duke directs concerned characters to make a theatrical punishment toward Angelo’s inhumanity in the problem of marriage with Mariana and inconsistency in punishing the wanton sexuality. Duke makes a public judgement in the public space of city gate which can be compared to modem watching system of power suggested by Foucault. Even though he succeeds in punishing Angelo as an absolute ruler, he also shows unavoidable limitations because of Isabella’s silence for his proposal and existing leftovers of revolting factors from the citizens’ liberal tendency of sexuality like Lucio, Claudio, Pompey and Overdone.