Original: ‘Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus,
Modern: It’s one thing to be tempted, Escalus,

Original: Another thing to fall. I not deny,
Modern: But it’s quite another thing to give in to temptation. I don’t deny

Original: The jury, passing on the prisoner’s life,
Modern: That the jury, deciding whether the prisoner lives or dies,

Original: May in the sworn twelve have a thief or two
Modern: Might have one or two thieves among those twelve sworn jurors

Original: Guiltier than him they try. What’s open made to justice,
Modern: Who are guiltier than the man they’re judging. Whatever crime is openly revealed to the law,

Original: That justice seizes: what know the laws
Modern: The law will punish. But how can the laws know

Original: That thieves do pass on thieves? ‘Tis very pregnant,
Modern: When thieves are judging other thieves? It’s very obvious—

Original: The jewel that we find, we stoop and take’t
Modern: When we see a jewel, we bend down and pick it up

Original: Because we see it; but what we do not see
Modern: Because we can see it; but whatever we don’t see

Original: We tread upon, and never think of it.
Modern: We step on and never give it a second thought.

Original: You may not so extenuate his offence
Modern: You can’t reduce the seriousness of his crime

Original: For I have had such faults; but rather tell me,
Modern: Just because I’ve committed similar sins. Instead, tell me this:

Original: When I, that censure him, do so offend,
Modern: When I, who am condemning him, commit the same offense,

Original: Let mine own judgment pattern out my death,
Modern: Let my own ruling serve as the model for my death,

Original: And nothing come in partial. Sir, he must die.
Modern: And let nothing interfere to show me mercy. Sir, he must die.

In Act II, Scene 1 of “Measure for Measure,” Angelo and Escalus discuss the enforcement of Vienna’s neglected laws, particularly those concerning sexual morality. Angelo remains firm in his decision to execute Claudio for fornication, despite Escalus’s gentle attempts to suggest mercy. Escalus argues that all men are susceptible to such temptations and that Angelo himself might have committed similar offenses in his youth, but Angelo maintains that the law must be upheld without exception and that his personal conduct is irrelevant to his judicial duties.

The scene then shifts to comic relief as Elbow, a bumbling constable, brings in Pompey and Froth on charges related to Mistress Overdone’s brothel. Elbow’s malapropisms and confused testimony create confusion about the actual charges, while Pompey cleverly deflects the accusations with wordplay and wit. Escalus grows frustrated with Elbow’s incompetence and eventually dismisses the charges, warning Pompey to reform his ways. After the comic characters exit, Escalus reflects on the difficulty of enforcing morality through law, noting that despite harsh penalties, people continue to commit the same offenses, suggesting the limitations of legal solutions to human nature.

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.