Claudio, arrested for fornication with his almost-wife, claims his problem was "too much liberty"(1.2.121). He elaborates "Our natures do pursue, / Like rats that raven down their proper bane, / A thirsty evil, and when we drink, we die." (1.2.125-7). In other words, his animal appetites, unrestrained, undisciplined and unguided, led to his misfortune. Later the Duke makes a similar claim about the harmful effects of failing to strenuously enforce the law: Because he did enforce the law, the law became "Even like an o'ergrown lion in a cave / That goes not out to prey." (1.3.23-4). Even later Angelo takes about laws without penalties as
[A] scarecrow of the law,
Setting it up to fear the birds of prey,
And let it keep one shape till custom make it
Their perch and not their terror. (2.2.1-4)
What's all this animal imagery about? What, according the play, is the proper role of the law when it comes to our appetites? Does the play get it right?
In the play, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to symbolize the darker side of human nature, using the term 'appetite' to represent one's temptation to sin. Shakespeare uses conventionally ravenous animals such as rats and birds of prey to represented human nature's inability to control its urges without the help of regulation by the law. In his first animal analogy, Shakespeare compares hungry rats to human nature's insatiable thirst to commit evils. Through this comparison, Shakespeare reveals that sin is an integral part of human nature rather than something that can be simply removed. Therefore, he argues that the proper role of the law is not to suppress these urges completely with overbearing laws, but rather mitigate it as best as they can. In response to Angelo's inclination to enforce the law harshly after years of being dormant (through his scarecrow comment), Escalus advises: "Ay, but yet let us be keen, and rather cut a little, than fall, and bruise to death" (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 5). Escalus recognizes the value of having a justice system that both allows for some flexibility and therefore still allowing its citizens freedom while still enforcing laws so that their society does not fall victim to chaos. Shakespeare's approach to balancing justice and freedom is very much applicable to justice in our society today. It is important that legislatures and enforcers of the law are operating in Escalus's middle ground so that they are both keeping their citizens in check and maintaining justice at the same time.
ReplyDeleteIn Measure for Measure, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to highlight the generally negative aspect of human nature, which is animality. During the time period of this book, as well as in current day, society generally likes to portray its members to be civilized and refined. However, Shakespeare uses this animal imagery to show the underbelly of humans. Shakespeare uses predators like ravens and lions to symbolize the lack of control that people have over their desires and that, like these predators, they will do what they want regardless of the consequences. Angelo strongly believes that it is the law’s duty to squelch these uncontrolled appetites in order to ensure that society follows the law. He believes that the law cannot be “for terror, not to use” (1.2. 27) because it will be “more mocked than feared” (1.2. 28). Angelo recognizes that under recent reign, the law has been used as a threat as opposed to a real punishment, and as a result, society consistently follows its ravenous appetite, not the law. Due to the societal norm that has developed over the last fourteen years that the law is merely a suggestion, Angelo thinks that “Those many had not dared to do that evil, / If the first that did th’ edict infringe, / had answered for his deed” (2.2. 118-20). The only way that society’s appetites can be adequately mitigated is if society once again fears the law; the easiest way of achieving this goal is by making an example out of Claudio to prove the severity and importance of the law. Despite Angelo’s incessant need for control, Escalus disagrees with this notion and wisely tries to convince Angelo that they need a system that provides justice, but allows for individual freedom as well. When Angelo disagrees, Escalus prays, “Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all” (2.1. 41), because he knows that Angelo’s actions are morally flawed.
ReplyDeleteAt our core, we humans are animals. While we may be vastly superior when it comes to intelligence, many of our desires are very primal and are shared with other, less intelligent animals. Eating, living, reproducing, and sometimes even killing can be actions done by humans without exercising much of our intelligence. The seven deadly sins, gluttony, lust, wrath, envy, greed, pride, and sloth are all traits that apply to humans, some to animals, and especially to this play. Claudio compares the peoples’ sin of gluttony for freedom to the rat gorging on poison while Angelo compares the government’s sin of sloth to a lion no longer able to catch prey as well as a scarecrow no one is afraid of. People portrayed as being completely consumed by one of the sins are almost primal beasts. If that is the case, the play argues that the laws are in place to prevent people from falling towards one of the sins. By making laws to prevent people from committing a sin, the justice system can steer people away from becoming like a beast and instead helps people keep their civilized humanity. I believe this concept executed in the play is generally correct, however, its today’s world, we do not necessarily view all sins as evil as they did in the past. What is morally wrong today is much different than in the play, therefore, we can have more freedom.
ReplyDeleteThroughout the text, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to animate the ideology that most humans are inherently evil, and enjoy partaking in malicious activities. Additionally, he also uses them to separate members of society who are virtuous and god-like to those who partake in “immoral" and animalistic behavior. These natural desires are difficult to control, and similar to the characterization of “wild” animals. Seemingly comprehensive of this human trait, Angelo believes laws must be enforced in order to maintain a functioning society, and prevent such actions. The leniency of the Duke has allowed wrongdoings to occur without repercussions, as Angelo explains, “fourteen years we have let slip, even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave, that goes not out to prey” (1.3.23-4). Angelo takes steps to combat the issues that have arose due to the Duke’s neglect. He explains to Lucio that by harshly enforcing the law, he will prevent citizens from obtaining “From too much liberty, my Lucio, liberty: As surfeit is the father of much fast, So every scope by the immoderate use turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue, Like rats that ravin down their proper bane, A thirsty evil; and when we drink we die (1.2.126). Furthermore, it will prevent citizens from engaging in these desires. In contrast, Isabella is described as angelic and virtuous, as she lacks the traits that most humans carry, allowing them to succumb to temptation. While pleading to Angelo in hope that Claudio will be reprieved of his sins, Isabella claims she would rather him be killed than take part in the sinful act of fortification. She states to Angelo, “To such abhorr’d pollution. Then, Isabel, live chaste, and, brother, die: More than our brother is our chastity. I’ll tell him yet of Angelo’s request, and fit his mind to death, for his soul’s rest (2.8.197-200). Shakespeare uses animal imagery throughout the text in order to describe the evil traits many humans hold.
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