Measure for Measure, Act 2
739Lines
4Scenes
14Speakers
75% / 25%Male / Female Lines
Act 2 of Measure for Measure runs 739 lines across 4 scenes with 14 speaking characters — about 26.1% of the full play.
Opens (Scene 1) — Angelo: “We must not make a scarecrow of the law,”
Closes (Scene 4) — Isabella: “And fit his mind to death, for his soul's rest.”
The 4 scenes of Act 2
| Scene | Lines | Speakers | Share of act |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scene 1 | 271 | 8 | 36.7% |
| Scene 2 | 222 | 5 | 30.0% |
| Scene 3 | 47 | 3 | 6.4% |
| Scene 4 | 199 | 4 | 26.9% |
Who speaks in Act 2
Leading voice: Angelo with 32% of Act 2’s dialogue (239 lines).
| Character | Lines in act | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Angelo ♂ | 239 | 32.3% |
| Isabella ♀ | 172 | 23.3% |
| Escalus ♂ | 97 | 13.1% |
| Pompey ♂ | 72 | 9.7% |
| Elbow ♂ | 52 | 7.0% |
| Provost ♂ | 33 | 4.5% |
| Duke Vincentio ♂ | 25 | 3.4% |
Characters first heard in Act 2
Pacing across the 4 scenes
Scene lengths in Act 2 range from Scene 3 (47 lines, the shortest) to Scene 1 (271 lines, the longest), averaging about 185 lines per scene.
Who carries the voice in Act 2
Act 2 reflects the play’s overall balance — 25% female dialogue (play average: 19%).
Act 2
Male 557 · Female 182
How Act 2 of Measure for Measure compares to other problem plays
| Play | Act 2 lines | Scenes |
|---|---|---|
| All's Well That Ends Well | 740 | 5 |
| Measure for Measure (this act) | 739 | 4 |
| Troilus and Cressida | 612 | 3 |
About Act 2 of Measure for Measure
How many lines are in Act 2 of Measure for Measure?
739 lines spread across 4 scenes.
Who dominates Act 2?
Angelo delivers 32% of the act’s dialogue (239 lines).