In the play 'Measure for measure' William Shakespeare had a number of agendas in relation to his depiction of the concept of the pursuit of justice. Shakespeare also used many different methods of representation to convey these ideas.
             The key theme shown throughout the play 'Measure for measure' is the fight between justice and mercy, and whether justice would be served through strictly following the law or by showing mercy. When the Duke left Vienna, he wanted more justice in his city. He wanted someone who could enforce the laws, but didn't want to do it himself as he thought the city would dislike him. The duke wanted the laws enforced, and chose Angelo to carry out this task. Under the Venetian law, Claudio was to be killed for his crime. This is the type of justice the duke asked Angelo to carry out. The duke felt he had shown too much mercy to his people, and that they had begun to disrespect the law.
             Shakespeare represents these ideas of the Duke by using a metaphor when he is talking to the friar at the monastery. He says "And liberty plucks Justice by the nose, the baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart goes all decorum". This metaphor clearly shows that the duke felt his city was disregarding the law, and explains that this is the reason he put Angelo in the position of stand in duke.
             This quote emphasises the state of the city, and how the citizens were acting under the current lack of enforcement that the Duke was showing towards the law. The baby is symbolising the citizens of the city turning against the law and authority (the nurse) and in turn changing the roles that they are supposed to play in the society. This positions the audience to respond to the text in favour of the dukes decision, and gives the viewer of the play a better understanding of the dukes point of view. This scene also puts the view in a privileged positio
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