Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how Shakespeare focuses on the fact that honor can means different things to different people, and it can also be regarded as less than virtuous in some minds. It shows how Shakespeare clarifies the definition of honor in "King Henry," but he leaves the issue muddy in "Measure for Measure." He leaves us with personalities that may not seem be honorable ultimately being the most honorable of all. It is such characters that have made Shakespeare unmatched in his skill.

From the Paper:

"Isabella becomes the focus of honor and "doing the right thing" in Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure." During the course of the play, she is propositioned by three different men to break her vows and go against her conscious. Her honor is important to her, and she does not accept Angelo's proposal. In fact, she is forthright in her initial reaction to Angelo's request. In other words, she knows what he is all about. Even as Angelo begs Isabella to "Believe me, on mine honor,/My words express my purpose" (II.iv.46-7). She responds, "Ha! Little honor to be much believed,/And most pernicious purpose! Seeming, seeming!" (II.iv.49-50). This scene helps us appreciate Isabella because she knows the right thing to do, despite what it means for her brother. She declares she will, "live chaste, and, brother, die:/More than our brother is our chastity" (II.iv.185-6). She is disgusted by the attitudes that surround her and to remove herself from it, she decides to enter a convent."

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