Click on any scene below for a side-by-side translation from the original Shakespeare into modern English.
Act 1, Scene 1
At his palace in Vienna, Duke Vincentio compliments Escalus, a lord in his court, saying that Escalus is the wisest and most knowledgeable guy in Vienna—he knows more about Vienna's laws and peop...
Act 1, Scene 2
In a public place in Vienna, Lucio and two Gentlemen talk about world politics.It seems the Duke is conducting peace talks with the King of Hungary. The gentlemen aren't thrilled about this because...
Act 1, Scene 3
The Duke has gone to visit a Friar in his cell in Vienna. We catch the two men in mid-conversation.The Duke is adamant that he's NOT seeking refuge at the monastery as a heartbroken lover because l...
Act 1, Scene 4
At a strict and disciplined convent, Isabella and Francesca discuss all the "privileges" Isabella is about to give up by becoming a nun. Isabella says she sure does wish they were stricter at St. C...
Act 2, Scene 1
At the courthouse, Angelo and Escalus discuss Claudio's case. Angelo insists that they must punish Claudio to the full extent of the law so people will know they mean business.Escalus agrees that C...
Act 2, Scene 2
The Provost arrives at a room at the Court and asks Angelo if he's absolutely certain that Claudio should be put to death.Angelo tells him to scram.The Provost wants to know what he should do with...
Act 2, Scene 3
The Duke, still on his weird little holiday, shows up at the prison disguised as a friar so he can "minister" to the inmates. (Yep, that's pretty odd. Check out our thoughts in "Characters: Duke Vi...
Act 2, Scene 4
At his house in Vienna, Angelo tells the audience that he's been praying a lot lately, but even when he prays, he thinks of Isabella, which makes him feel slimy.A servant announces that Isabella ha...
Act 3, Scene 1
The scene opens in Claudio's prison cell, where the Duke is still traipsing around pretending to be a friar.Claudio says he's prepared to die, but he still has hope that he might get to live.The Du...
Act 3, Scene 2
Elbow and Pompey burst in and Elbow accuses Pompey, again, of being a criminal. (Thank goodness for this comedic interlude, because the previous scene between Isabella and Claudio was getting prett...
Act 4, Scene 1
The Duke and Isabella pay Mariana (Angelo's ex-fiancé) a little visit at her farm, which is surrounded by a moat. When they arrive, Mariana is listening to a Boy singing a sad song about a jilted...
Act 4, Scene 2
At the prison, the Provost makes Pompey an offer he can't refuse. If Pompey agrees to be his assistant executioner, his prison sentence will be reduced and he'll get to go home.Pompey cracks a dirt...
Act 4, Scene 3
Pompey takes a look around the prison and declares that he feels like he's at his workplace, Mistress Overdone's brothel. (In other words, most of Overdone's customers are now in jail.)Abhorson cal...
Act 4, Scene 4
At Angelo's house, Escalus and Angelo read a letter from the Duke and note that Vincentio's letters don't seem to make any sense. They wonder if he's losing it.Angelo also wonders why the Duke want...
Act 4, Scene 5
The Duke meets with Friar Peter just outside the city and gives him....a bunch of letters. (What is it with the Duke and letters?)Duke Vincentio instructs Friar Peter to deliver the letters to him...
Act 4, Scene 6
On a street near the gate to Vienna, we catch Mariana and Isabella in mid-conversation about the plan to punk Angelo.Isabella reveals that the Friar (who is really the Duke) has advised her to accu...
Act 5, Scene 1
The Duke makes a grand entrance at the city gate, where a big crowd is there to greet him, including Angelo and Escalus. (Hmm. So much for the Duke's earlier claim that he doesn't like to make a sp...