Measure for Measure, Act 4 Scene 6 runs 17 lines of dialogue, spoken by 3 speakers. That is shorter than the play’s average scene length of about 167 lines. This scene is part of Act 4 of Measure for Measure.
Full Dialogue
Isabella ♀
To speak so indirectly I am loath:
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I am advised to do it;
He says, to veil full purpose.
I would say the truth; but to accuse him so,
That is your part: yet I am advised to do it;
He says, to veil full purpose.
Mariana ♀
Be ruled by him.
Isabella ♀
Besides, he tells me that, if peradventure
He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic
That's bitter to sweet end.
He speak against me on the adverse side,
I should not think it strange; for 'tis a physic
That's bitter to sweet end.
Mariana ♀
I would Friar Peter–
Isabella ♀
O, peace! the friar is come.
Friar Peter ♂
Come, I have found you out a stand most fit,
Where you may have such vantage on the duke,
He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;
The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon
The duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!
Where you may have such vantage on the duke,
He shall not pass you. Twice have the trumpets sounded;
The generous and gravest citizens
Have hent the gates, and very near upon
The duke is entering: therefore, hence, away!
17 lines rendered verbatim from the dialogue corpus.
Who’s On Stage
Speaking characters in this scene
| Character | Lines | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Isabella | 9 | 52.9% |
| Friar Peter | 6 | 35.3% |
| Mariana | 2 | 11.8% |
Line distribution
The top speaker in this scene delivers 9 lines, while the scene’s average per speaker is about 6 lines.
Total speakers on stage
3 named characters speak in this scene.
Scene in Context
Position within Act 4
This is Scene 6 of 6 in Act 4 of Measure for Measure.
Scene length vs. play average
At 17 lines, this scene is shorter than the Measure for Measure average scene in Measure for Measure (~167 lines).
Adjacent scenes
Previous: Act 4 Scene 5 · Next: Act 5 Scene 1