Measure for Measure: Scene Summaries

Act 1, Scene 1: Duke Vincentio hands over rule to Angelo and Escalus before departing on a mysterious mission.
Act 1, Scene 2: Lucio informs the public that Claudio is sentenced to death for making Juliet pregnant, and Claudio sends him to appeal to his sister Isabella.
Act 1, Scene 3: Duke Vincentio disguises as a friar to observe how Angelo handles the power given to him.
Act 1, Scene 4: Isabella, initially unwilling to help Claudio pleas for mercy, agrees after learning the severity of his punishment.
Act 2, Scene 1: Angelo begins to enforce strict laws, despite Escalus’ pleas for mercy.
Act 2, Scene 2: Isabella pleas Angelo for Claudio’s life, but he is attracted to her and offers her a deal she can’t accept.
Act 2, Scene 3: Vincentio, in disguise, counsels Juliet on repentance.
Act 2, Scene 4: Angelo struggles with lust for Isabella, and she returns to plead for her brother once more.
Act 3, Scene 1: Vincentio, the disguised Duke, proposes a plan to save Claudio by deceiving Angelo.
Act 3, Scene 2: The plan to save Claudio unfolds and the Duke continues his secret observations.
Act 4, Scene 1: Isabella is told that Claudio is dead, but it’s part of the Duke’s deceptive plan.
Act 4, Scene 2: The Duke continues his machinations, instructing the Provost to secretly hold Claudio and execute another prisoner.
Act 4, Scene 3: The Duke manages to save Claudio, keep his death a secret, and arranges for Isabella to meet him.
Act 4, Scene 4: Angelo, thinking he has been tricked, prepares for the worst.
Act 4, Scene 5: In disguise, the Duke gathers a crowd to reveal the truth.
Act 4, Scene 6: Isabella and Marianna prepare to accuse Angelo.
Act 5, Scene 1: The Duke reveals his true identity, Angelo is exposed and is sentenced to death, then Isabella pleads for Angelo’s life. The Duke pardons Angelo, proposes to Isabella, and restores order to Vienna.