# Claudio — Measure for Measure character guide

> Claudio in Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Claudio Fellow, Claudio The prenzie Angelo, Exit Claudio, Claudio Sweet sister, Claudio Perpetual durance, Enter Claudio, First Gentleman Claudio

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-ii

## Snapshot

Isabella's brother, arrested and sentenced to death for impregnating Juliet, whose life becomes the bargaining chip everyone else argues over.

## Who they are

Claudio has done what half of Vienna has done quietly for years — slept with the woman he intends to marry — but Angelo picks his case to make an example. From his cell he sends Lucio to fetch Isabella, pinning his last hope on her ability to soften the deputy. He is less a man of action than a man acted upon, and his fear of dying becomes one of the play's sharpest tests of what love and honor are worth.

## In the story

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Arrested and led to prison; explains his 'true contract' with Julietta and the harsh enforcement of old laws by Angelo.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv)

Claudio is mentioned as Isabella's brother, imprisoned and sentenced to death for impregnating Juliet.

### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv)

Referenced as the condemned brother whose life hangs in the balance; Isabella believes he would rather die than see her dishonored.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i)

Imprisoned and sentenced to death; initially resolved to die, but later pleads with Isabella to save him, showing fear of death.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii)

Claudio is mentioned as being condemned to die for impregnating Juliet. The disguised Duke has visited him and reports that Claudio is now resolved to die.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-ii)

Awaiting execution at dawn, he is informed of the warrant and expresses resignation, while the Duke plans to save him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/claudio
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters