Measure for Measure Act 2
2. Much of 2.1 features three men involved in local/civic/state affairs, Escalus, Angelo, and Elbow, a constable that Escalus describes as a “wise officer” (2.1.52). It also features two tradesmen, Froth and Pompey. From their conversations, what can you discern about the way local affairs are handled? What can we learn about social conventions, relationships among levels of government, and relationships among working people and their regulation/management by government from this scene? What can we learn about Angelo from his comments and attitude in comparison to Escalus’s speeches and manner?
3. Jot down a few observations about Isabella and Angelo’s conversation in 2.4. What stands out to you in their diction, the length of each character's speeches, and the reasoning they use for their arguments?
4. Figure Scavenger Hunt: See if you can find instances of the following phenomena in Act 2 and write down act/scene/line numbers when you identify them:
Antithesis
Prose
Chiasmus
Stichomythia
Anaphora
Metaphor
Antistrophe