1. Definition of Poetic Justice

• Poetic Justice: Poetic justice refers to the concept where virtue is ultimately rewarded and vice is punished in a manner that is fitting and just. It often involves a resolution where the outcome aligns with the characters’ actions and moral standing, providing a form of moral balance.

2. Application in Measure for Measure

• Angelo’s Punishment:
  • Hypocrisy and Moral Failure: Angelo, who is appointed to enforce strict moral laws, becomes a hypocrite by attempting to coerce Isabella into sexual favors to save her brother, Claudio. His public persona of moral righteousness contrasts sharply with his private corruption.
  • Poetic Justice: The poetic justice in Angelo’s fate is that he faces a punishment that mirrors his own moral failings. He is sentenced to marry Mariana, a woman he initially rejected, and is also forced to face the death penalty as he had sentenced others to, reflecting the moral imbalance he created. The Duke’s decision to propose this outcome serves as a form of retribution for his abuse of power and hypocrisy.
• Claudio’s Fate:
  • Unjust Sentencing: Claudio is sentenced to death by Angelo for impregnating Juliet out of wedlock, a sentence that seems overly harsh given the circumstances.
  • Poetic Justice: Claudio’s ultimate reprieve and the revelation that he was spared at the Duke’s request align with the play’s theme of justice. The resolution of his fate restores balance, as his life is saved, and he is reunited with Juliet.
• Isabella’s Justice:
  • Moral Integrity: Isabella maintains her moral integrity throughout the play, resisting Angelo’s advances and striving for justice for her brother.
  • Poetic Justice: Isabella’s virtue is rewarded as she is eventually able to secure the safety of her brother and see the exposure of Angelo’s hypocrisy. Her moral stance and perseverance are acknowledged in the resolution of the play.
• The Duke’s Role:
  • Manipulation and Deception: The Duke orchestrates much of the play’s action from behind the scenes, using disguises and manipulation to achieve his goals.
  • Poetic Justice: The Duke’s actions, though manipulative, ultimately result in the restoration of order and justice. The resolution of the play aligns with his initial intentions to address the moral decay and corruption within Vienna. His manipulation leads to a resolution where characters face consequences that fit their actions, thereby restoring moral and social balance.

3. Overall Impact

• Restoration of Order: Poetic justice in the play ensures that moral and ethical order is restored by the end. Characters who have acted with integrity or faced unfairness are ultimately rewarded, while those who have acted with hypocrisy or abuse of power face consequences that reflect their actions.
• Moral Balance: The play’s conclusion, with its mix of marriages and reconciliations, provides a resolution that aligns with the moral and thematic concerns of the play. The Duke’s interventions bring about a balance that underscores the play’s exploration of justice, morality, and human fallibility.