Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
Come here. Can you cut off a man's head?
Come over here. Can you execute someone?
hey come here can u execute ppl?
If the man be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he’s
his wife’s head, and I can never cut off a woman’s head.
If the man is unmarried, sir, I can. But if he is a married man, he is his wife's head, and I can never cut off a woman's head.
If he's single, sure, I can. But if he's married, he belongs to his wife—and I'm not cutting off any woman's head.
single? yeah married? nah wives run things
Come, sir, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer.
Tomorrow morning are to die Claudio and Barnardine. Here is in our
prison a common executioner, who in his office lacks a helper; if you
will take it on you to assist him, it shall redeem you from your gyves;
if not, you shall have your full time of imprisonment, and your
deliverance with an unpitied whipping; for you have been a notorious
bawd.
Come, sir, stop your clever remarks and give me a straightforward answer. Claudio and Barnardine are to die tomorrow morning. There is in our prison a common executioner who needs a helper in his work. If you will help him, it will free you from your chains. If not, you will serve out your entire sentence and be released with a whipping that no one will pity, for you have been a notorious pimp.
Cut the jokes, sir. Give me a straight answer. Claudio and Barnardine die tomorrow morning. We have an executioner here who needs help. Work for him, and I'll free you from chains. If you don't, you'll serve your whole sentence and get whipped when you leave—and nobody will care because you're a criminal pimp.
stop joking claudio and barnardine die tomorrow help the executioner u get freed or stay locked up and get whipped u chose
Sir, I have been an unlawful bawd time out of mind, but yet I will be
content to be a lawful hangman. I would be glad to receive some
instruction from my fellow-partner.
Sir, I have been an illegal pimp for a very long time, but I will be willing to become a legal executioner. I would be happy to receive some instruction from my fellow worker.
Sir, I've been doing illegal stuff forever, but I'm happy to switch to legal work as an executioner. I'd like some training from my partner here.
yeah i been a criminal forever im cool w becoming legal teach me
What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
Hello! Abhorson! Where is Abhorson?
Hey! Abhorson! Where are you?
abhorson! where u at?
Speaks with the dignity of a craftsman who takes his trade seriously — he considers execution a 'mystery' (skilled trade), resents having a bawd as his assistant, and delivers deadpan circular logic with complete confidence. Watch for how seriously he takes himself in a role the rest of the play treats as macabre comedy.
Do you call, sir?
Are you calling for me, sir?
You calling for me?
u need me?
Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution. If
you think it meet, compound with him by the year, and let him abide
here with you; if not, use him for the present, and dismiss him. He
cannot plead his estimation with you; he hath been a bawd.
Fellow, here is someone who will help you tomorrow with the execution. If you think it suitable, make an agreement with him for a year and let him stay here with you. If not, use him for now and dismiss him. He cannot argue his good reputation to you—he has been a pimp.
There's a guy here who can help you tomorrow with the executions. If you want, hire him for a year. If not, just use him today and let him go. Don't be fooled by him trying to act respectable—he's been a pimp.
this guy helps u tomorrow wanna hire him? if not dump him he's a criminal btw
A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
A pimp, sir? Shame on him—he will disgrace our profession.
A pimp? Ugh, he's going to make us look bad.
a pimp?? no way he'll ruin our rep
Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale.
Listen, sir. You are equally bad. A feather would tip the balance.
You're not any better than him. You're basically even.
ur both trash tbh equal weight
Pray, sir, by your good favour—for surely, sir, a good favour you have,
but that you have a hanging look—do you call, sir, your occupation a
mystery?
Please, sir, in your kindness—for surely you have a pleasant face, except you have a look of one who hangs people—do you call your occupation a mystery?
So sir, you look like a pleasant guy—except, you know, you've got that hangman look about you. Is that what you call your trade, a mystery?
u got a nice face except u look like u hang ppl u call that a mystery?
Ay, sir, a mystery.
Yes, sir, a mystery.
Yeah, it's a mystery.
yeah a mystery
Painting, sir, I have heard say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir,
being members of my occupation, using painting, do prove my occupation
a mystery. But what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be
hanged, I cannot imagine.
Painting, sir, I have heard, is a mystery. And your prostitutes, sir, being members of my occupation, use painting, which proves my occupation is a mystery. But what mystery there should be in hanging, if I should be hanged, I cannot imagine.
Painting's a mystery, right? And the sex workers in my line of work use makeup, so that makes my trade a mystery too. But I can't figure out what's mysterious about hanging. I mean, if I'm hanging, what's the mystery?
painting's a mystery my girls use makeup so my trade's a mystery too but hanging? nah no mystery
Sir, it is a mystery.
Yes, sir, it is indeed a skilled profession.
It's a mystery, trust me.
it's a mystery
Proof.
Proof.
Proof.
Proof.
In a play full of people who fail to live up to their principles, Abhorson is a minor comic exception: a man who takes his principles, however absurd, completely seriously.
His objection to Pompey as a partner is guild-based — he considers execution a skilled trade (mystery) and refuses to have it associated with procuring. His 'proof' that execution is a mystery — the circular argument about thieves and honest men's clothing — is complete nonsense, but he delivers it with the confidence of a master craftsman explaining his craft to an apprentice.
His name is probably a portmanteau of 'abhor' (to detest) and 'whoreson' (son of a prostitute, a general insult) — a name that contains both the moral verdict on his trade and a class insult embedded in his very identity. He is, in a sense, a walking paradox: a man named after what people think of him who insists on being respected for what he does.
Shakespeare gives him just enough dignity to be funny without being pathetic. The comedy of this scene depends on his complete conviction that execution is noble — which is the same conviction the state needs to kill people at all.
Every true man’s apparel fits your thief. If it be too little for your
thief, your true man thinks it big enough; if it be too big for your
thief, your thief thinks it little enough. So every true man’s apparel
fits your thief.
Every honest man's clothing fits your thief. If it is too small for your thief, your honest man thinks it is large enough. If it is too big for your thief, your thief thinks it is small enough. So every honest man's apparel fits your thief.
An honest man's clothes fit a thief any which way. Too small? The honest guy thinks it's big enough. Too big? The thief thinks it's small enough. Point is, an honest man's clothes fit a thief, period.
honest guy's clothes fit thieves too small? still works too big? works too thieves just adapt
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
Sir, I will serve him; for I do find your hangman is a more penitent
trade than your bawd. He doth oftener ask forgiveness.
Sir, I will serve him. I find that being a hangman is a more repentant trade than being a pimp. A hangman asks for forgiveness more often.
I'll work for him. Honestly, being a hangman is more honest than being a pimp. Hangmen actually feel sorry for what they do.
ill serve him hangman's more honest at least he feels bad
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow four o’clock.
You, fellow, prepare your block and your axe for tomorrow at four o'clock.
You, get your chopping block and axe ready for four o'clock tomorrow.
get ur block and axe ready tomorrow 4am
Come on, bawd. I will instruct thee in my trade. Follow.
Come on, pimp. I will teach you my profession. Follow me.
Come on, let's go. I'll show you how this works. Follow me.
come on im teaching u follow
I do desire to learn, sir; and I hope, if you have occasion to use me
for your own turn, you shall find me yare. For truly, sir, for your
kindness I owe you a good turn.
I do wish to learn, sir. And I hope if you ever have need to use me for your own purposes, you will find me ready and quick. For truly, sir, for your kindness I owe you a favor.
I want to learn. If you ever need me to help you with something, I'll be ready. I owe you one for helping me out.
i wanna learn im ready 2 help u i owe u one
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
Call Barnardine and Claudio here.
Get Barnardine and Claudio.
bring barnardine n claudio here
Th’ one has my pity; not a jot the other,
Being a murderer, though he were my brother.
One of them deserves my pity; not the other at all, because he's a murderer, even if he were my own brother.
I feel for one of them, but not the other—he's a murderer, and I have no sympathy for murderers, even if he were my own brother.
one deserves pity the other's a murderer no sympathy even for family
Look, here’s the warrant, Claudio, for thy death.
’Tis now dead midnight, and by eight tomorrow
Thou must be made immortal. Where’s Barnardine?
Look, here's your death warrant, Claudio. It's midnight now, and by eight in the morning you'll be dead. Where's Barnardine?
See this? It's your death warrant, Claudio. It's midnight now, and you'll be executed by eight tomorrow morning. Where is Barnardine?
heres ur death warrant midnight now 8am tomorrow ur done wheres barnardine
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones.
He will not wake.
He is locked in sleep as deeply as innocent exhaustion when it lies heavily in a traveler's bones. He will not wake.
He's sleeping as deep as a tired traveler after honest work. He won't wake up.
he's out cold like a tired traveler won't wake
Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within_.] But hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
Who can help him? Well, go and prepare yourself. But listen, what is that noise? May heaven give your spirits comfort!
Who can help him? Go get ready. Wait, what's that noise? May heaven comfort you!
who can help him? go get ready what's that noise? may u be ok
By and by!—
I hope it is some pardon or reprieve
For the most gentle Claudio.
In a moment! I hope this is a pardon or a reprieve for the gentle Claudio.
Just a minute! I'm hoping this is a pardon or a reprieve for poor Claudio.
one sec hoping this is pardon for claudio
Angelo's midnight letter ordering Claudio's immediate execution is one of the most clearly motivated actions in the play. Follow his logic:
He has (he believes) slept with Isabella in exchange for Claudio's life. He has dishonored himself. If Claudio lives, Claudio becomes a permanent vulnerability: a man with a dishonored sister, who might at any moment seek revenge by 'receiving a dishonored life / With ransom of such shame' — i.e., using the information about Isabella to extort or accuse Angelo.
So: better to eliminate the vulnerability now, before dawn, before anyone can interfere.
The letter's instruction — 'Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary' — tells us Angelo knows that the friar (whose presence at the prison he has at least noticed) might be working against him. He doesn't know who the friar is, but he knows there's an obstacle, and he's trying to get around it by speed.
This is not random cruelty. It's methodical self-protection by a man who has made a catastrophic error and is trying to manage the fallout. That it's also betrayal, depravity, and the exact sin Angelo built his career on condemning — that's the play's point.
Welcome, father.
Welcome, father.
Welcome, Father.
welcome
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night
Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late?
May the best and most wholesome spirits of the night surround you, good Provost! Who has been here recently?
Good Provost, may the best spirits of the night protect you! Who's been here?
may good spirits protect u provost who came by recently?
None, since the curfew rung.
No one since the curfew bell rang.
Nobody since the curfew bell.
no one since curfew
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
No.
No.
No.
No.
They will then, ere’t be long.
They will be here soon.
They'll be here soon.
they're coming soon
What comfort is for Claudio?
What hope is there for Claudio?
Is there any hope for Claudio?
any hope 4 claudio?
There’s some in hope.
There is some hope.
There's some hope.
there's hope
It is a bitter deputy.
He is a harsh deputy.
Angelo's a hard man.
angelo's harsh
Not so, not so. His life is paralleled
Even with the stroke and line of his great justice.
He doth with holy abstinence subdue
That in himself which he spurs on his power
To qualify in others. Were he mealed with that
Which he corrects, then were he tyrannous;
But this being so, he’s just.
No, no. His life is aligned exactly with his justice. He controls through self-denial what he uses his power to regulate in others. If he were affected by the same sins he punishes, then he would be tyrannical. But because he is not, he is just.
No, no. Angelo's life matches his justice. He denies himself the same things he punishes in others. If he did the things he's punishing people for, that would be tyranny. But because he doesn't, he's being fair.
no he's fair his life matches his justice he denies himself what he punishes others 4 that's not tyranny that's just
Now are they come.
This is a gentle provost. Seldom when
The steeled gaoler is the friend of men.
Now they've arrived. This provost has a gentle heart. It's rare when a hardened jailer is the friend of men.
They're here now. This provost is a good man. It's not often you find a tough jailer who actually cares about people.
theyre here provost is actually kind rare in a jailer
How now? What noise? That spirit’s possessed with haste
That wounds th’ unsisting postern with these strokes.
Provost returns.
What's this? What's that noise? Whoever's out there is rushing so hard they're pounding on the gate with desperate determination.
What's going on? What's that racket? Someone out there is in a real hurry and hammering on the gate like crazy.
whats that noise someone pounding gate like mad theyre in rush
There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in. He is called up.
There he must wait until the officer wakes up to let him in. He has been summoned.
He has to wait there until the officer wakes up and lets him in. I've called for him.
he waits till officer wakes up i called him
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die tomorrow?
Do you have no cancellation order for Claudio yet, but he must still die tomorrow?
No order to cancel Claudio's execution yet? He dies tomorrow?
no cancel order 4 claudio? he dies tomorrow?
None, sir, none.
None, sir, none.
None, sir, none.
None, sir, none.
The Provost is one of the play's least discussed and most important characters. He appears in nearly every prison scene, executes (or declines to execute) nearly every order, and is the only character besides the Duke who actively works to protect Claudio.
His instrument is professional protocol. He follows orders, but carefully — asking questions, noting oddities, registering the injustice he sees without being able to act on it. 'It is a bitter deputy' is as much criticism as his role allows him to say out loud.
When the Duke finally produces the seal and asks him to delay, the Provost has a choice that mirrors the play's central question: which authority has the greater claim — the legitimate Duke, or the present deputy? He chooses correctly — but not without needing evidence.
His line 'Th' one has my pity; not a jot the other, / Being a murderer, though he were my brother' is the most precise moral statement in the scene. He distinguishes clearly between Claudio (unjustly condemned) and Barnardine (a genuine murderer, however sympathetically drawn). He grieves for one and feels nothing for the other — and that discrimination, maintained under pressure, is what the play calls integrity.
As near the dawning, Provost, as it is,
You shall hear more ere morning.
As close as it is to dawn, Provost, you will hear more before morning.
As close to morning as it is, Provost, you'll hear more before daylight.
dawn's almost here u'll hear more b4 morning
Happily
You something know, yet I believe there comes
No countermand. No such example have we.
Besides, upon the very siege of justice
Lord Angelo hath to the public ear
Professed the contrary.
Perhaps you know something, yet I believe no cancellation order comes. We have no such example. Besides, from his seat of justice Lord Angelo has publicly declared the opposite.
Maybe you know something I don't, but I don't think any cancellation order is coming. We've never seen anything like this before. And Angelo has publicly said he's going through with it.
maybe u know smth but i doubt the order comes angelo said publicly he'd do it
This is his Lordship’s man.
This is Lord Angelo's servant.
This is the Lord's messenger.
lords man
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
Look, Claudio's pardon is arriving now.
Here comes the order to free Claudio.
claudio's getting pardoned order coming
Appears once, delivers Angelo's order with bureaucratic precision and a cheerful 'good morrow,' and exits. He is the play's embodiment of the system — the instrument that carries Angelo's corruption without understanding what it carries.
My lord hath sent you this note, and by me this further charge: that
you swerve not from the smallest article of it, neither in time,
matter, or other circumstance. Good morrow; for, as I take it, it is
almost day.
My lord has sent you this note, and by me this further charge: that you do not deviate from the smallest detail of it, neither in timing, content, nor any other circumstance. Good morning, for it is almost day.
My lord sent this note, and he told me to tell you: don't change one word or detail, nothing about timing or anything. Good morning—it's almost daylight.
my lord sent this do exactly what it says nothing changed it's almost dawn
I shall obey him.
I will obey him.
I'll do it.
ill do it
[_Aside_.] This is his pardon, purchased by such sin
For which the pardoner himself is in.
Hence hath offence his quick celerity,
When it is borne in high authority.
When vice makes mercy, mercy’s so extended
That for the fault’s love is th’ offender friended.
Now, sir, what news?
This is his pardon, bought by such a sin for which the pardoner himself is guilty. Thus offense moves quickly when authority protects it. When vice gives mercy, mercy stretches so far that for the offense's sake the offender gets help. So, sir, what news?
This so-called pardon is paid for by the same sin that Angelo is guilty of. When someone in power does something wrong, it happens fast. When a guilty person shows mercy, they stretch it so far that the guilty person benefits. What's the news, sir?
this 'pardon' is corrupt angelo's breaking his own rules power + guilt = twisted mercy
I told you: Lord Angelo, belike thinking me remiss in mine office,
awakens me with this unwonted putting-on; methinks strangely, for he
hath not used it before.
I told you: Lord Angelo, apparently thinking me neglectful in my duties, awakens me with this unusual urgency. I think it strange, for he has not acted this way before.
Like I said, Angelo seems to think I'm not doing my job, so he's pushing me hard on this. It's weird—he's never been like this before.
angelo thinks im slacking he's pushing hard which is weird 4 him
Pray you, let’s hear.
I ask you, let us hear.
Let me hear it.
lemme hear it
[_Reads_.] _Whatsoever you may hear to the contrary, let Claudio be
executed by four of the clock, and in the afternoon, Barnardine. For my
better satisfaction, let me have Claudio’s head sent me by five. Let
this be duly performed, with a thought that more depends on it than we
must yet deliver. Thus fail not to do your office, as you will answer
it at your peril._
What say you to this, sir?
[Reads] No matter what you may hear to the contrary, have Claudio put to death by four o'clock, and Barnardine in the afternoon. To put my mind at rest, send me Claudio's head by five. Carry this out exactly, bearing in mind that more hangs on it than I can reveal to you yet. So make sure you do your duty, because if you don't, you will be answerable for it and the consequences will be severe. What do you make of this, sir?
[Reads] Whatever you hear otherwise, execute Claudio by four, and Barnardine this afternoon. And so I know it's done, send me Claudio's head by five. Do this exactly as ordered, and understand there's more riding on it than I can tell you right now. Do your job, or you'll pay for it. So, what do you think of that, sir?
ignore anything else u hear kill claudio by 4, barnardine later send me his head by 5 do it or ur in serious trouble ...thoughts??
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon?
Who is this Barnardine who is to be executed in the afternoon?
Who is this Barnardine they're executing in the afternoon?
so who's this guy barnardine being executed this afternoon?
A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner
nine years old.
Born a Bohemian, but raised and brought up here. A prisoner who has been here for nine years.
He's from Bohemia but grew up here. He's been a prisoner for nine years.
from bohemia raised here in prison 9 years
How came it that the absent Duke had not either delivered him to his
liberty, or executed him? I have heard it was ever his manner to do so.
How did it happen that the absent Duke neither released him to freedom nor executed him? I have heard it was always his way to do one or the other.
How come the Duke never let him go or executed him? I heard the Duke always dealt with prisoners one way or the other.
why didnt the duke either free him or execute him? thats usually what he does
His friends still wrought reprieves for him; and indeed, his fact till
now in the government of Lord Angelo, came not to an undoubtful proof.
His friends kept getting him reprieves. And indeed, his crime until now under Lord Angelo's government has not come to certain proof.
His friends kept getting him stays of execution. And his crime was never proven solid until Angelo took over.
friends kept saving him his crime wasn't proven until now
It is now apparent?
Is it now clear?
It's proven now?
it's proven?
Angelo's letter demands Claudio's head by five o'clock in the morning. This specificity matters.
In Elizabethan legal practice, a head could be demanded as proof of execution — a guarantee against reprieve, countermand, or fraud. Heads of executed traitors were displayed on London Bridge. Angelo's demand for a head is therefore a procedural demand: he wants confirmation, not just a report.
But the demand is also psychologically revealing. Angelo doesn't just want Claudio dead — he wants physical confirmation that the person who knows about his crime is permanently silenced. The head is a seal on the transaction.
The play's solution — substituting Ragozine's head — is therefore not a minor logistical workaround. It is a direct subversion of the instrument of Angelo's self-protection. The head he receives is the head of a stranger, and the man he thinks he's secured against is still alive.
This is the play's architecture: Angelo's methods of domination (legal power, sexual coercion, strategic execution) are each in turn hollowed out and turned against him by the Duke's counter-moves.
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Very clear and he does not even deny it.
Completely clear, and he admits it.
totally clear he admits it
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?
Has he behaved penitently in prison? How much does he seem to feel remorse?
Is he sorry about it? Does he seem to care?
is he sorry? does he even care?
A man that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep;
careless, reckless, and fearless of what’s past, present, or to come;
insensible of mortality and desperately mortal.
A man who views death as nothing worse than drunken sleep. Careless, reckless, and unafraid of what is past, present, or future. Unaware of his own mortality and yet hopelessly trapped in it.
He sees death like drunken sleep—doesn't care. He's reckless about past, present, or future, doesn't feel like he's mortal even though he obviously is.
he thinks death is like sleep doesn't care bout anything past present future doesn't feel real
He wants advice.
He wants advice.
He wants advice.
He wants advice.
He will hear none. He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give
him leave to escape hence, he would not. Drunk many times a day, if not
many days entirely drunk. We have very oft awaked him, as if to carry
him to execution, and showed him a seeming warrant for it. It hath not
moved him at all.
He will not listen to any. He has always had freedom within the prison. If you let him escape, he would not. He drinks many times a day, if not entire days completely drunk. We have often awakened him as if to take him to execution and shown him what looked like a warrant for it. It has not affected him at all.
He won't listen. He's always had freedom to move around the prison, and even if we let him leave, he won't. He drinks constantly, all day long. We've woken him up pretending it's time for his execution, showed him fake orders, and nothing phases him.
he won't listen he's always drunk we faked executing him he didn't care
More of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and
constancy; if I read it not truly, my ancient skill beguiles me. But in
the boldness of my cunning I will lay myself in hazard. Claudio, whom
here you have warrant to execute, is no greater forfeit to the law than
Angelo who hath sentenced him. To make you understand this in a
manifested effect, I crave but four days’ respite, for the which you
are to do me both a present and a dangerous courtesy.
More about him later. I see written on your face, Provost, honesty and loyalty. If I cannot read this truly, then my long experience deceives me. But I will risk myself in my boldness. Claudio, whom you have warrant to execute here, is no greater criminal under the law than Angelo who sentenced him. To make you understand this clearly, I ask only for a four-day delay, during which you would do me both a favoring and dangerous service.
We'll talk about him later. I can see in your face that you're honest and loyal, Provost. I'm willing to risk myself on that. Here's the thing: Claudio deserves death no more than Angelo does—Angelo is the one who's guilty here. I need four days. I'm asking you to do something risky and dangerous for me, but it's the right thing.
more later i see ur honest im risking myself claudio's no worse than angelo i need 4 days this is risky
Pray, sir, in what?
I ask you, sir, in what way?
In what way, sir?
how's that risky?
In the delaying death.
By delaying the execution.
By delaying his death.
by delaying his execution
Alack, how may I do it? Having the hour limited, and an express
command, under penalty, to deliver his head in the view of Angelo? I
may make my case as Claudio’s, to cross this in the smallest.
Alas, how can I do it? I have a specific time and an explicit command, under penalty, to deliver his head to Angelo? I risk making my case like Claudio's if I go against even one small detail.
How can I? I have orders and Angelo expects his head at a specific time. If I go against even one small detail, I'll be executed like Claudio.
how can i? i got orders angelo expects his head if i refuse im dead 2
By the vow of mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your
guide. Let this Barnardine be this morning executed, and his head borne
to Angelo.
By the vow of my religious order, I guarantee your safety if you follow my instructions. Let Barnardine be executed this morning, and let his head be delivered to Angelo.
I swear on my vows as a friar—follow my instructions and you'll be safe. Execute Barnardine this morning and send his head to Angelo.
i swear on my vows follow me execute barnardine send his head 2 angelo
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
Angelo has seen both of them and will recognize the difference.
Angelo knows what both of them look like—he'll see it's not Claudio.
angelo knows both of them he'll notice the difference
O, death’s a great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head and
tie the beard, and say it was the desire of the penitent to be so bared
before his death. You know the course is common. If anything fall to
you upon this, more than thanks and good fortune, by the saint whom I
profess, I will plead against it with my life.
Oh, death is a great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head and tie up the beard, and say it was the condemned man's desire to be prepared this way before his death. You know this is a common practice. If anything harmful comes to you from this beyond thanks and good fortune, by the saint I profess, I will defend it with my life.
Death changes people's looks, and you can make it worse. Shave and tie up the beard, say he wanted to look that way before dying. That's normal. If they come after you for this, I swear on my vows I'll protect you with my own life.
death disguises ppl shave him say he wanted it that way it's normal if u get in trouble ill protect u
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
I must beg your forgiveness, good father, but this violates my sacred oath.
I can't, father. It breaks my oath.
i cant father it breaks my oath
Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
Did you take your oath to the Duke or to the Deputy?
Did you swear to the Duke or to Angelo?
did u swear 2 the duke or 2 angelo?
To him and to his substitutes.
To both him and to his representatives.
To him and whoever he puts in charge.
to him and his people
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice
of your dealing?
You will think you have done no wrong if the Duke confirms the justice of your actions?
If the Duke says what you did was right, you'll believe it was okay?
if the duke says ur right u believe that?
But what likelihood is in that?
But how likely is that?
But how likely is that to happen?
realistically how likely rly?
Not a resemblance, but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, that
neither my coat, integrity, nor persuasion, can with ease attempt you,
I will go further than I meant, to pluck all fears out of you. Look
you, sir, here is the hand and seal of the Duke. You know the
character, I doubt not, and the signet is not strange to you.
Not a resemblance but a certainty. Yet since I see you fearful, and that neither my clerical robe, my integrity, nor my words can easily convince you, I will go further than I intended to remove all your fears. Look here, sir, this is the Duke's handwriting and his seal. You know his writing, I have no doubt, and the seal is not unknown to you.
Not just maybe—it's certain. But I see you're scared. My robes and words aren't working, so I'm going to prove it. Look, this is the Duke's handwriting and his seal. You know them both.
its certain not just maybe here's the duke's writing and his seal u know both of them
I know them both.
I recognize both of them well.
I know them.
yeah i recognize em both
The contents of this is the return of the Duke; you shall anon
over-read it at your pleasure, where you shall find within these two
days he will be here. This is a thing that Angelo knows not; for he
this very day receives letters of strange tenour, perchance of the
Duke’s death, perchance entering into some monastery; but, by chance,
nothing of what is writ. Look, th’ unfolding star calls up the
shepherd. Put not yourself into amazement how these things should be.
All difficulties are but easy when they are known. Call your
executioner, and off with Barnardine’s head. I will give him a present
shrift, and advise him for a better place. Yet you are amazed; but this
shall absolutely resolve you. Come away; it is almost clear dawn.
The contents of this message is the return of the Duke. You will soon read it at your leisure and find that within two days he will be here. Angelo does not know this. He receives letters today of strange content, perhaps about the Duke's death, perhaps saying he has entered a monastery, but nothing of what is actually written here. Look, the morning star is calling up the shepherds. Do not be amazed at how these things come to be. All difficulties are easy once they are known. Call your executioner and off with Barnardine's head. I will give him immediate confession and advise him toward a better life. You are still amazed, but this will completely reassure you. Come, it is almost dawn.
This letter says the Duke is coming back. Read it later—within two days he'll be here. Angelo doesn't know this. He's getting weird letters today saying maybe the Duke is dead or in a monastery, but they're fake. Look, it's almost dawn. Don't be confused about how all this is happening—when you know the full story, it's all simple. Get your executioner. Execute Barnardine. I'll hear his confession first and tell him there's hope. You're confused now, but this will clear everything up. Let's go, dawn's almost here.
this says the duke's coming back within 2 days angelo gets fake letters don't b confused all this makes sense execute barnardine i'll confess him lets go dawn's coming
The Reckoning
This is the scene where the plan falls apart. The Duke expected Angelo to honor the deal; instead Angelo doubles down and tries to guarantee the execution faster, by dawn. The comedy of Pompey becoming a hangman's apprentice collides with the operational panic of a midnight command, and the Duke is forced to reveal more of his hand than he intended. The Provost's steady grip on his principles — his refusal to disobey without warrant — becomes the pivot on which everything turns.
If this happened today…
Picture a corporate whistleblower working with an inside contact at the company they're exposing. They have a plan: get the evidence, buy time, let it play out. Then at midnight, a message arrives from the target — not the expected response, but an acceleration. 'Do it now. Before anyone wakes up.' The whistleblower's inside contact, who has been quietly cooperative, suddenly has to choose between their job security and a handshake promise from someone who hasn't revealed who they really are. They ask for a letter on official letterhead. They get one.