# Lucio — Measure for Measure character guide

> Lucio in Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lucio Within, Lucio Aside, Lucio Some, Lucio Sir, Lucio Mum, Lucio Lechery, Lucio Carnally, Lucio Friar, Lucio O pretty Isabella, Lucio O, Lucio Who, Lucio Judge, Lucio Ay, Lucio Marry, Exeunt Lucio

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

## Snapshot

A witty, loose-tongued gentleman who carries news between Claudio and Isabella and never misses a chance to slander the absent Duke.

## Who they are

Lucio opens the play trading bawdy jokes with two gentlemen and Mistress Overdone, then volunteers to fetch Isabella when Claudio is arrested. He presents himself to her as a reformed gossip who reveres her as 'a thing ensky'd and sainted,' even as he admits jesting with maids is his 'familiar sin.' His running mockery of the Duke — whom he accuses of lechery and drunkenness — plants a debt the play will eventually collect, and his chatter keeps the city's low life audible alongside its high moral drama.

## Relationships

### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio)

_rivalry_

Lucio slanders the Duke throughout the play, leading to a final confrontation where the Duke publicly humiliates and punishes him.

### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo)

_rivalry_

Lucio openly mocks and criticizes Angelo, creating mutual antagonism.

### [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/isabella)

_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)

_social_

Lucio interacts with the Provost mainly in the context of Claudio's imprisonment, with Lucio being insolent.

### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio)

_rivalry_

Lucio slanders the Duke throughout the play, leading to a final confrontation where the Duke publicly humiliates and punishes him.

### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo)

_rivalry_

Lucio openly mocks and criticizes Angelo, creating mutual antagonism.

### [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/isabella)

_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)

_social_

Lucio interacts with the Provost mainly in the context of Claudio's imprisonment, with Lucio being insolent.

### [Lord Angelo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/lord_angelo)

_rivalry_

Lucio openly mocks and criticizes Angelo, creating mutual antagonism.

### [Isabella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/isabella)

_social_

Lucio encourages Isabella to plead for her brother's life, acting as a meddling but supportive acquaintance.

### [Duke Vincentio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/measure_for_measure_se/characters/duke_vincentio)

_rivalry_

Lucio slanders the Duke throughout the play, leading to a final confrontation where the Duke publicly humiliates and punishes him.

## In the story

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

Jests with gentlemen, learns of Claudio's arrest, and agrees to inform Isabella of her brother's plight.

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

Lucio brings news of Claudio's arrest and Angelo's strict enforcement of the law, urging Isabella to intervene.

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

Coaches Isabella from the sidelines, urging her to be more forceful and persistent in her pleas.

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

Lucio slanders the Duke, criticizes Angelo's severity, and informs the disguised Duke about Claudio's arrest and sentence. He also reveals his own past with Mistress Kate Keepdown.

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

Interrupts the Duke and Isabella, making crude remarks about the Duke and boasting of his own misdeeds.

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

Interrupts the proceedings with crude remarks, is silenced by the Duke, and later forced to marry Mistress Kate Keepdown.

## Links

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