isabella and religion

chez · 11-13-2005, 09:11 AM

i have to write an essay on how far isabella's behaviour in act 2 is governed by her religious convictions. any ideas would be greatly appreciated. thanks xxx

byquist · 11-17-2005, 12:30 AM

It's not just a matter of prim religious convictions, it's the integrity of her entire identity. Her scene with Angelo is a legal, philosophical and polemical debate with freedom and sanctity as its subject. Angelo is force and will. Although she may be a nun-in-training, it could have as easily been a non-religious situation; just raw power vs. basic autonomy.

Then I guess her scene with her brother is in Act 2. That's even more difficult for her, since it is her sanctity vs. submission to vileness for her brother's life. She is driven to the nth degree, not uncommon for great Shakespearean characters. Acquiescing to Angelo would be to demolish her entire selfhood. To her innocent mind, that would be horror, unthinkable. As a pop song says, "No can do."

chez · 11-22-2005, 11:56 AM

..................................

chez · 11-22-2005, 11:57 AM

thanks! (i dont think her actual scene with her brother is act 2 though)

Pola · 11-24-2005, 04:43 AM

Welcome! At present I have a similar problem.I'm an actress and I'm going to act Isabella. I still wonder about her, about her behaviour.
How do You think, how important id Angelo in her mind?
Is this only religious or more? Is this only innocence? Why she decided to live as a nun?
I think it is maybe deeper. Maybe she say "no" because she is afraid of herself's feelings and to be a woman?
( sorry for my English, it is still not very good).
I wonder of this because I would like show Isabella as a woman at the present times.
If You have any thoughts- please help.
Regards.
Pola

vish0501 · 10-30-2007, 06:27 PM

Isabella is being forced to choose between her commitment to family (her brother) and her commitment to God (her virginity). With Isabella this is not a one-incident favor, it will affect the rest of her life. She would no longer be able to become a nun as she has being training for, and probably planning for a long time. Her relationship with God is sacred to her, breaking the promises (vows) she has made is unforgivable in her eyes (and in her God's eyes). She also knows that her brother's "sin" really isn't that bad morally and believes that he will be happy in the afterlife.

11-13-2005, 09:11 AM	#1
chez Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	isabella and religion i have to write an essay on how far isabella's behaviour in act 2 is governed by her religious convictions. any ideas would be greatly appreciated. thanks xxx

11-17-2005, 12:30 AM	#2
byquist Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 635	It's not just a matter of prim religious convictions, it's the integrity of her entire identity. Her scene with Angelo is a legal, philosophical and polemical debate with freedom and sanctity as its subject. Angelo is force and will. Although she may be a nun-in-training, it could have as easily been a non-religious situation; just raw power vs. basic autonomy. Then I guess her scene with her brother is in Act 2. That's even more difficult for her, since it is her sanctity vs. submission to vileness for her brother's life. She is driven to the nth degree, not uncommon for great Shakespearean characters. Acquiescing to Angelo would be to demolish her entire selfhood. To her innocent mind, that would be horror, unthinkable. As a pop song says, "No can do." Last edited by byquist; 11-17-2005 at 01:13 AM.

11-22-2005, 11:56 AM	#3
chez Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	. .................................. Last edited by chez; 11-22-2005 at 12:00 PM. Reason: .

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11-22-2005, 11:57 AM	#4
chez Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11	thanks! (i dont think her actual scene with her brother is act 2 though)

11-24-2005, 04:43 AM	#5
Pola Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	Welcome! At present I have a similar problem.I'm an actress and I'm going to act Isabella. I still wonder about her, about her behaviour. How do You think, how important id Angelo in her mind? Is this only religious or more? Is this only innocence? Why she decided to live as a nun? I think it is maybe deeper. Maybe she say "no" because she is afraid of herself's feelings and to be a woman? ( sorry for my English, it is still not very good). I wonder of this because I would like show Isabella as a woman at the present times. If You have any thoughts- please help. Regards. Pola

10-30-2007, 06:27 PM	#6
vish0501 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2	Isabella is being forced to choose between her commitment to family (her brother) and her commitment to God (her virginity). With Isabella this is not a one-incident favor, it will affect the rest of her life. She would no longer be able to become a nun as she has being training for, and probably planning for a long time. Her relationship with God is sacred to her, breaking the promises (vows) she has made is unforgivable in her eyes (and in her God's eyes). She also knows that her brother's "sin" really isn't that bad morally and believes that he will be happy in the afterlife.