Original: This is the point.
Modern: Here’s what’s happening.

Original: The duke is very strangely gone from hence;
Modern: The duke has left in a very mysterious way.

Original: Bore many gentlemen, myself being one,
Modern: He led many gentlemen, including me,

Original: In hand and hope of action: but we do learn
Modern: to believe we’d see some action, but now we’ve learned

Original: By those that know the very nerves of state,
Modern: from people who know the inner workings of government

Original: His givings-out were of an infinite distance
Modern: that his public announcements were completely different

Original: From his true-meant design. Upon his place,
Modern: from his real plans. In the duke’s position,

Original: And with full line of his authority,
Modern: and with all of his power,

Original: Governs Lord Angelo; a man whose blood
Modern: Lord Angelo now rules—a man whose blood

Original: Is very snow-broth; one who never feels
Modern: is like cold slush; someone who never feels

Original: The wanton stings and motions of the sense,
Modern: the playful temptations and desires of the body,

Original: But doth rebate and blunt his natural edge
Modern: but instead weakens and dulls his natural urges

Original: With profits of the mind, study and fast.
Modern: through mental discipline, studying, and fasting.

Original: He—to give fear to use and liberty,
Modern: He wants to make people afraid of their loose habits and freedom,

Original: Which have for long run by the hideous law,
Modern: which have for so long ignored the harsh laws,

Original: As mice by lions—hath pick’d out an act,
Modern: like mice running past lions—so he’s chosen a law

Original: Under whose heavy sense your brother’s life
Modern: under whose severe meaning your brother’s life

Original: Falls into forfeit: he arrests him on it;
Modern: is now forfeit—he’s arrested him for breaking it,

Original: And follows close the rigour of the statute,
Modern: and he’s strictly following the harshness of that law

Original: To make him an example. All hope is gone,
Modern: to make an example of him. All hope is lost,

Original: Unless you have the grace by your fair prayer
Modern: unless you have the power through your beautiful pleading

Original: To soften Angelo: and that’s my pith of business
Modern: to soften Angelo’s heart—and that’s the heart of my message

Original: ‘Twixt you and your poor brother.
Modern: between you and your unfortunate brother.

In Act I, scene iv of “Measure for Measure,” Isabella enters the convent of Saint Clare, where she encounters Francisca, a nun of the order. Isabella inquires about the rules and restrictions of the sisterhood, expressing her desire for even stricter vows than those typically required. She wishes the sisterhood had more severe constraints, particularly regarding speech and interaction with men. Francisca explains the existing rules, including the requirement that when speaking with men, Isabella must not show her face and must have another sister present.

Their conversation is interrupted when Lucio arrives at the convent calling for Isabella. Francisca informs Isabella that she must turn away from Lucio and not speak to him directly, as befits their order’s customs. Lucio brings urgent news about Isabella’s brother Claudio, explaining that Claudio has been imprisoned and sentenced to death by the deputy Angelo for impregnating his betrothed Juliet before their formal marriage ceremony. Lucio implores Isabella to use her virtue, eloquence, and persuasive powers to appeal to Angelo for her brother’s life, suggesting that her pure and holy nature might move the strict deputy to mercy where others have failed.

Measure for Measure opens in Vienna, where Duke Vincentio announces he must leave the city on urgent business and appoints his deputy Angelo to govern in his absence, with the elder lord Escalus as Angelo’s advisor. The Duke actually remains in Vienna disguised as a friar to observe how Angelo will rule. Angelo immediately begins strictly enforcing long-neglected laws against sexual immorality, ordering the demolition of brothels and condemning Claudio to death for getting his betrothed Juliet pregnant before their official marriage ceremony.

Claudio’s sister Isabella, a novice nun, pleads with Angelo for her brother’s life. Angelo, struck by Isabella’s beauty and virtue, propositions her: he will spare Claudio’s life if she will sleep with him. Isabella refuses and tells her brother of Angelo’s corrupt bargain. When Claudio, desperate to live, begs Isabella to sacrifice her chastity for his life, she angrily rejects the idea. The disguised Duke, who has been counseling prisoners, overhears this conversation and devises a plan.

The Duke arranges for Mariana, Angelo’s former betrothed whom he abandoned when her dowry was lost, to take Isabella’s place in a secret nighttime encounter with Angelo - a “bed trick” that Angelo believes is with Isabella. Despite this fulfillment of the bargain, Angelo still orders Claudio’s execution. The Duke, still disguised, arranges for another prisoner’s head to be sent to Angelo instead of Claudio’s, saving Claudio’s life while letting Angelo believe his order was carried out.

In the final act, the Duke returns publicly to Vienna, and Isabella openly accuses Angelo of corruption before the Duke (not knowing he already knows everything). The Duke pretends to disbelieve her until he reveals his true identity and Angelo’s crimes. Angelo confesses and is sentenced to marry Mariana and then be executed, though Mariana and Isabella both plead for his life. The Duke pardons Angelo, reveals that Claudio is alive, and proposes marriage to Isabella, leaving her response ambiguous in the text.