Be right, or be kind? If we have to choose, choose 'being kind'. --Deepak Chopra
Judge not that you be not judged. For with the judgement you pronounced, you will be judged and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Mathew 7: 1-2
2014 is the 450 year anniversary of William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Although not as educated as the other literature scholars (Shakespeare only received grammar school education in England), he had published 38 plays, numerous poetry, and other well-respected literature work. He was very keen in observing human's mind- a very complex mind. Thus he said, 'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'. Because of the complexity of a human mind, it is better not to judge. The Bible teaches us with the same message. So are the contemplative spiritual guru; when we have to choose between being right or being kind, choose being kind. The play, Measure for Measure, illustrates the importance of this basic philosophy.
Measure for Measure-the plot
Vienna was in chaos- crime, prostitutes, gambling were rampant. The City had earned a reputation of a number 1 sin-city during the Dark Age of Europe. The Duke decided to ask his lieutenant, Angelo, to clean up the city.
Lieutenant Angelo had a reputation of being righteous, incorruptible, and religious; a disciple of God. The Duke told Angelo to be in charge while he was traveling to other cities. In reality, he did not travel at all. He just disguised to be a friar observing how Angelo cleaned up the City.
Angelo was determined to crack down irresponsible sex, he arrested Julieta and Claudio for having sex without marriage and condemned Claudio to death. This was too severe and out-of-proportion a punishment even by the Dark Age standard. Lucio, the jail keeper was sympathetic with Claudio, and informed Claudio's sister Isabella who was going to become a nun, to 'stay away from filthy human kind.' Isabella came to Angelo asking for mercy on Claudio. Claudio spoke highly on her sister, Isabella. " a prone and speechless dialect. Such as move men; besides, she hath prosperous art, when she play with reason and discourse and will she can persuade."
Isabella spoke to Angelo, "...go to your bosom. Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know. That's like my brother's fault; if it confess a natural guilt such as his. Let it not sound a thought upon your tongue against my brother's life."
Angelo could not resist Isabella intellect and overall Isabella's sensual attraction. He asked Isabella to surrender her love to Angelo to save her brother's life. Isabella refused. She went to Claudio to tell him what was going on. Initially, Claudio praised his sister for refusal. After a while, thinking about his death was immediate, asking Isabella to think twice about Angelo's request. Isabella became very angry, scolding her brother, " O, you beast, faithless coward. Dishonest wretch. Wilt thou be man out of my vice? From thine own sister's shame?" " Die, perish. I will pray a thousand times for thy death. No word to save thee." She stormed out and swore never to see her brother again. Isabella showed no sympathy for her brother.
The Duke was aware of what was going on. He came to Isabella and offered a 'Bed for Bed' trick on Angelo. Angelo has a out-of-favor girl friend, Mariana with body, face, and voice similar to Isabella. To this offer, Isabella agreed and said, " Show me how, Good Father. The images already gives me content." Isabella showed no concerns for possible shame of other woman.
Bed for Bed trick went well. Did Angelo released Claudio as he had promised? No. "Claudio will take revenge on me if he is released", Angelo said. Angelo ordered immediate execution on Claudio and he wanted to see Claudio's head the next day.
Lucio told The Duke about the execution; and the Duke, disguised as a friar offered another trick, Head for Head; using a dead man Ragzine's head substituting for Claudio's head. Lucio and the friar hid Claudio.
The Duke finally returned; all witnesses came out forward to reveal Angelo's cruelty and wrong doing. When Mariana came out to reveal the truth behind, Bed for Bed trick, Angelo finally confessed. The Duke first ordered Angelo to marry Mariana, then condemn Angelo to death. The Duke declared, "The mercy of law cried out most audible, even from his proper tongue. An Angelo for Claudio, Death for Death. Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; like doth quit like, and Measure still for measure. "
In the end, both Mariana and Isabella pleaded for mercy for Angelo, the tragedy became a comedy. Claudio appeared and was ordered to marry Julieta. while the Duke proposed to Isabella. No head was lost while everyone was either married for being proposed.
Measure for Measure --Character Analysis
Angelo: The religious, self-proclaimed righteous person was actually a heartless hypocrite. He sentenced Claudio's death for an irresponsible sex; yet he asked for sex with Isabella, then ordered immediate execution on Claudio. He is a bad guy by everyone's standard. Let's reflect what was his actions. Initially, he did show determination to 'clean up the city of Vienna'. However, he was not able to resist the lust over a very intelligent woman, and eventually committed a crime by his own definition. Afraid of being revenged by Claudio, he ordered immediate execution on Claudio. Thus one crime piled up on another, like a snowball. After committing the crime,he did show remorse about his action in his prayer. " What is this, what's this? Is this her fault or mine? The temper or the tempted ? Ha, not she, but I. O, fie, fie, fie, what are thou, Angelo? You want to exert your lust on someone who is good? ". When all the witnesses came up forward, he asked for death sentence from the Duke. " Good Prince. No longer session hold my shame. But let my trial be my own confession. Immediate sentence and sequent death is all the grace I beg." This is what Shakespeare had said, "Fair is foul and foul is fair."
Isabella: She first appealed to Angelo for mercy on Claudio and then pleaded to the Duke, mercy on Angelo. Is she completely a good person? Well, how little compassion she had on her brother, " O, you beast, faithless coward. Dishonest wretch. Wilt thou be man out of my vice? From thine own sister's shame?" " Die, perish. I will pray a thousand times for thy death. No word to save thee". When the Duke revealed Bed for Bed trick to Isabella, she did not show compassion for Mariana. " Show me how, Good Father. The images already gives me content." Again, Shakespeare said, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair".
The Duke: The Duke's Bed for Bed and Head for Head trick saved Isabella from being shameful and saved Claudio's life. Is he a good person ? Well, Vienna was in a state of Chaos under his rein for the past 14 years. Who was at fault ? This chaotic state forced him to release his duty to his lieutenant. But at the end, he punished his lieutenant for his wrong doing. Again, Shakespeare said, "Fair is foul and foul is fair".
Conclusion: Human being is complex; and no one is perfect. It is not our duty to judge; but to have compassion, for we cannot love and judge at the same time. Choosing between being right, or being kind, let us choose being kind.
This essay was originated from Dr. Ting-Kai Chen's presentation on New Year's Day at New Jersey Taiwanese Pen Club Meeting.
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