Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
Come hither, sirrah. Can you cut off a man’s head?
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 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 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 be a bachelor, sir, I can; but if he be a married man, he’s his wife’
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, 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, 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, leave me your snatches, and yield me a direct answer. Tomorrow mornin
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 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 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 unlawful bawd time out of mind, but yet I will be content to
What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
What ho, Abhorson! Where’s Abhorson, there?
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?
Do you call, sir?
Do you call, sir?
Do you call, sir?
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.
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.
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.
Sirrah, here’s a fellow will help you tomorrow in your execution. If you think i
A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
A bawd, sir? Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale.
Go to, sir; you weigh equally. A feather will turn the scale.
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?
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?
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?
Pray, sir, by your good favour—for surely, sir, a good favour you have, but that
Ay, sir, a mystery.
Ay, sir, a mystery.
Ay, sir, a mystery.
Ay, sir, 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 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 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 say, is a mystery; and your whores, sir, being membe
Sir, it is a mystery.
Sir, it is a mystery.
Sir, it is a mystery.
Sir, it is a mystery.
Proof.
Proof.
Proof.
Proof.
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 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 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 true man’s apparel fits your thief. If it be too little for your thief, yo
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
Are you agreed?
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.
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; for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than your bawd. He doth oftener ask forgiveness.
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; for I do find your hangman is a more penitent trade than
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow four o’clock.
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow four o’clock.
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow four o’clock.
You, sirrah, provide your block and your axe tomorrow four o’clock.
Come on, bawd. I will instruct thee in my trade. Follow.
Come on, bawd. I will instruct thee in my trade. Follow.
Come on, bawd. I will instruct thee in my trade. Follow.
Come on, bawd. I will instruct thee in my trade. 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 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 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 desire to learn, sir; and I hope, if you have occasion to use me for your o
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
Call hither Barnardine and Claudio.
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour
When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones.
He will not wake.
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones. He will not wake.
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the traveller’s bones. He will not wake.
As fast locked up in sleep as guiltless labour When it lies starkly in the trave
Who can do good on him?
Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within_.] But hark, what noise?
Heaven give your spirits comfort!
Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within_.] But hark, what noise? Heaven give your spirits comfort!
Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within_.] But hark, what noise? Heaven give your spirits comfort!
Who can do good on him? Well, go, prepare yourself. [_Knocking within_.] But har
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.
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night
Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late?
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late?
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night Envelop you, good Provost! Who called here of late?
The best and wholesom’st spirits of the night Envelop you, good Provost! Who cal
None, since the curfew rung.
None, since the curfew rung.
None, since the curfew rung.
None, since the curfew rung.
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
Not Isabel?
No.
No.
No.
No.
They will then, ere’t be long.
They will then, ere’t be long.
They will then, ere’t be long.
They will then, ere’t be long.
What comfort is for Claudio?
What comfort is for Claudio?
What comfort is for Claudio?
What comfort is for Claudio?
There’s some in hope.
There’s some in hope.
There’s some in hope.
There’s some in hope.
It is a bitter deputy.
It is a bitter deputy.
It is a bitter deputy.
It is a bitter deputy.
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.
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.
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.
Not so, not so. His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line of his grea
There he must stay until the officer
Arise to let him in. He is called up.
There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in. He is called up.
There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in. He is called up.
There he must stay until the officer Arise to let him in. He is called up.
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet,
But he must die tomorrow?
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die tomorrow?
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die tomorrow?
Have you no countermand for Claudio yet, But he must die 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 near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.
As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere morning.
As near the dawning, Provost, as it is, You shall hear more ere 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.
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.
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.
Happily You something know, yet I believe there comes No countermand. No such ex
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
And here comes Claudio’s pardon.
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 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 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 hath sent you this note, and by me this further charge: that you swerve
I shall obey him.
I shall obey him.
I shall obey him.
I shall obey him.
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?
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?
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?
For which the pardoner himself is in. Hence hath offence his quick celerity, Whe
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, 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, 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, belike thinking me remiss in mine office, awakens me wi
Pray you, let’s hear.
Pray you, let’s hear.
Pray you, let’s hear.
Pray you, let’s hear.
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?
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?
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?
executed by four of the clock, and in the afternoon, Barnardine. For my better s
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon?
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon?
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon?
What is that Barnardine who is to be executed in th’ afternoon?
A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner
nine years old.
A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.
A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine years old.
A Bohemian born, but here nursed up and bred; one that is a prisoner nine 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 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 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 came it that the absent Duke had not either delivered him to his liberty, or
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 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 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 still wrought reprieves for him; and indeed, his fact till now in th
It is now apparent?
It is now apparent?
It is now apparent?
It is now apparent?
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
Most manifest, and not denied by himself.
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.
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?
Hath he borne himself penitently in prison? How seems he to be touched?
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 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 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 that apprehends death no more dreadfully but as a drunken sleep; careless,
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 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 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 hear none. He hath evermore had the liberty of the prison; give him leav
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 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 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 of him anon. There is written in your brow, Provost, honesty and constancy;
Pray, sir, in what?
Pray, sir, in what?
Pray, sir, in what?
Pray, sir, in what?
In the delaying death.
In the delaying death.
In the delaying death.
In the delaying death.
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.
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.
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.
Alack, how may I do it? Having the hour limited, and an express command, under p
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 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 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 mine order, I warrant you, if my instructions may be your guide. L
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
Angelo hath seen them both, and will discover the favour.
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.
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.
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.
O, death’s a great disguiser, and you may add to it. Shave the head and tie the
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
Pardon me, good father; it is against my oath.
Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
Were you sworn to the Duke, or to the Deputy?
To him and to his substitutes.
To him and to his substitutes.
To him and to his substitutes.
To him and to his substitutes.
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice
of your dealing?
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice of your dealing?
You will think you have made no offence if the Duke avouch the justice of your d
But what likelihood is in that?
But what likelihood is in that?
But what likelihood is in that?
But what likelihood is in that?
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, 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, 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, that neither my
I know them both.
I know them both.
I know them both.
I know them 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 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 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 is the return of the Duke; you shall anon over-read it at y
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.