# Isabella — Measure for Measure character guide > Isabella in Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Isabella Alas, Isabella Ay, Isabella Within, Isabella Unhappy Claudio, Isabella Sir, Isabella O, Isabella Justice, Isabella Ha, Isabella Ignomy, Isabella Else, Isabella Gentle, Gentle Isabella, Dear Isabel, Isabel, Sweet Isabel, Servant One Isabel, dear Isabel, O Isabel **First appearance:** 0005-act-i-scene-iv ## Snapshot A novice on the verge of taking her vows, drawn out of the convent to beg a hard deputy for her brother's life. ## Who they are Isabella is about to enter the sisterhood of Saint Clare when Lucio arrives with news that Claudio is condemned and only her eloquence might move Angelo. She goes reluctantly, doubting her own power, but her plea for mercy is fierce and articulate — and it lands on a man who has never before been moved. Her commitment to chastity and her loyalty to her brother pull in opposite directions, and that collision is the moral center of the play. ## Relationships ### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo) _psychological_ Angelo propositions Isabella with a corrupt bargain, making her the object of his lust and manipulation. ### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio) _romantic_ The Duke proposes marriage to Isabella at the end, though her response is ambiguous, suggesting a one-sided romantic interest. ### [Lucio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lucio) _social_ Lucio encourages Isabella to plead for her brother's life, acting as a meddling but supportive acquaintance. ### [Provost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/provost) _professional_ The Provost assists Isabella in the Duke's plan to save her brother, acting as a cooperative official. ### [Lucio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lucio) _social_ Lucio encourages Isabella to plead for her brother's life, acting as a meddling but supportive acquaintance. ### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo) _psychological_ Angelo propositions Isabella with a corrupt bargain, making her the object of his lust and manipulation. ### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo) _psychological_ Angelo propositions Isabella with a corrupt bargain, making her the object of his lust and manipulation. ### [Provost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/provost) _professional_ The Provost assists Isabella in the Duke's plan to save her brother, acting as a cooperative official. ### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio) _romantic_ The Duke proposes marriage to Isabella at the end, though her response is ambiguous, suggesting a one-sided romantic interest. ### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio) _romantic_ The Duke proposes marriage to Isabella at the end, though her response is ambiguous, suggesting a one-sided romantic interest. ### [Lucio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lucio) _social_ Lucio encourages Isabella to plead for her brother's life, acting as a meddling but supportive acquaintance. ### [Provost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/provost) _professional_ The Provost assists Isabella in the Duke's plan to save her brother, acting as a cooperative official. ## In the story ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-i-scene-iv) Isabella is introduced as a novice nun, learning of her brother Claudio's imprisonment and being persuaded by Lucio to appeal to Angelo for mercy. ### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-ii) Pleads passionately for Claudio's life, using arguments of mercy and self-reflection, but inadvertently inflames Angelo's desire. ### [Scene IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-iv) Rejects Angelo's vile proposition; chooses chastity over her brother's life; resolves to inform Claudio of Angelo's true nature. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-i) Visits Claudio to inform him of Angelo's condition; refuses to sacrifice her honor, condemns Claudio's cowardice, and later agrees to the Duke's plan. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-i) Isabella arrives to inform the Duke of the plan to meet Angelo and agrees to the substitution of Mariana. ### [Scene III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-iii) Learns of Claudio's supposed death and is directed by the Duke to seek justice against Angelo. ### [Scene VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-iv-scene-vi) Reluctant to speak indirectly but resolved to follow the Duke's plan to accuse Angelo. ### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/chapters/act-v-scene-i) Publicly accuses Angelo of being a murderer, hypocrite, and virgin-violator, pleading for justice before the Duke. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/isabella - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters