In Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, the main character's qualities and ideologies tend to align strangely well with the way Sigmund Freud describes human consciousness. Inside all of us there is an Id, an Ego and essentially what can be considered a patriarchal Superego. On the one hand, this rampant moral corruption on the streets of Vienna is represented by Mistress Overdone, essentially the antithesis of this new movement back to rigid moral roots; it therefore plays the role of the pleasure principle, the Freudian id. In the center, representing the Ego, we find the Duke, Isabella and Claudio. These characters have an inherent drive to do the right thing but do not fully represent purity in all aspects as they are still willing to compromise and listen to reason. The tyrannical role of the Super Ego is given to Angelo, he aims to create a society that follows the rule of law to the 't', has generally good morals and wants what he considers "right" to happen regardless of whether it is entirely logical or less. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay One of the main reasons the Duke finally put Angelo in power was because he knew that the only way to suppress the chaos and moral decay of characters like Mistress Bringing too much (the id) into the equation meant putting in fourth place a force that directly opposed this apathetic hedonistic ideology, essentially the exact opposite of the direction society seemed to be taking. Brothels and characters like Mistress Overdone represent the Id of society because it is that small portion of human consciousness that pushes us to neglect morals or possible legal implications to satisfy the pleasure principle. Engaging in prostitution, let alone premarital sex, was the exact opposite of what the hyper-religious tyrannical Christians of the time believed. When it comes to the Freudian ego, we find that the Duke, Isabella and Claudio align quite well with this. mid-level ideology. We see the Duke as someone who has an innate desire to rule his people in the most admirable way, balancing rights, happiness and freedom. He sees how the streets have become saturated with prostitution and premarital sex, but he feels like he's the "cool dad" who doesn't want to overstep his boundaries and upset his kids, but realizes he has to start punishing them if he waits for the their behavior. never change. This mentality is demonstrated through this quote: "I have too terrible a fear: if it were my fault to give people space, it would be my tyranny to hit them and irritate them for what I told them to do: because we say this is done, When evil deeds have their permissive permission and not punishment. Therefore indeed, my father, I have imposed upon Angelo the office; which may, in the ambush of my name, strike at home, yet my nature is not never in the struggle to make slander." He is essentially saying that he has continually allowed these indecent acts to take place for too long now, there is no way he can simply turn around and change what he has agreed to in the past. By hiding himself by allowing a more dominant Super Ego like Angelo to take power, he is essentially attempting to repair this moral decay of society through heavy controls, but is unwilling to do the dirty work himself and "slander" his name. Isabella, in an attempt to free herself from this society that she believes is spiraling out of control morally, follows the steps to become a full-fledged nun. So, while trying to.