Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

support Kontiris alleged claim that the Duke is alarmed by a disruption of hierarchical order as a result of
Vienna’s social ills. Certainly, the Duke would be above upper-middle class as ruler of the city. Duke
Vincentio arguably, believes that if he can somehow show Vienna’s inhabitants he has been a benevolent
authoritative ruler, who has had their best interest in mind; by compassionately tempering mercy with
justice he could reinforce his position of authority. But Duke Vincentio is no authoritarian ruler, who should
be afraid of his position and influence.
The Duke, in my opinion contrasts the authoritarian leadership qualities Angelo his deputy will
assume, as the play progresses. We learn that after Angelo has received the imputed authority from the
Duke to govern in his absence, he believes as a result of that authority the people should blindly submit to
him as he up holds the “rule of law”, in his own domineering, tyrannical and hypocritical fashion. This is
certainly a stark contrast to the way the Duke’s indulgent and tolerant self-portrayal and apparent governing
nature has been. Professor Colin Fewer observes that, Deputy Angelo, “embodies the concept of “law and desire”
in a single character” (Fewer).
Although initially Angelo is portrayed as a character of high moral integrity, in contrast –Angelo is
the villain of the play who rules without mercy and who has weaknesses that he does not even account for.
Angelo upholds his one-sidedness with hypocrisy. As the plays’ plot progresses Angelo will victimize the
lower class characters, namely Claudio, for his infraction on the moral laws of the city. The city of Vienna
in Shakespeare’s, play has laws on its ledger to eliminate sexual activity outside of the bonds of legal
marriage. Angelo knows that these laws are presently in the legislative guidelines, but unlike the Duke,
Angelo has decided to enforce them without laxity. Claudio, as a result becomes a victim of Angelo’s strict
observance of the law, because he has gotten Juliet pregnant –although they are not legally married
(common-law).
According to the rule of law or by de'facto “Angelo’s method of law observance” is “Do as I say not
as I do”. As a result, Claudio is sentenced to death as the example in which to show to the city’s inhabitants
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