Shakespeare Paper

I have chosen to stage Act 2 Scene 2 of Measure For Measure when Isabella comes to ask Angelo to have mercy on her brother who is in prison and is supposed to be executed the next day. This is going to be a film version of the play. This play is going to have modern aspects because I believe that a reader will be able to understand the plot better if they can relate to it. The costumes and setting will be modern. Isabella is a young girl who has come to beg for mercy for her brother who she loves deeply. I think a lot of us would do the same for our siblings. On the other hand, I will keep the Shakespearean language.
The scene will begin with the servant escorting Isabella into the room to confront Angelo. The lighting will be dim in order to emphasize the eerie and awkward feeling that the characters must have. Angelo’s costume will be black, since black is a color we normally associate with evil, and very formal since he is of higher status than is Isabella. Isabella’s outfit will be white and very elegant but yet conservative, since Isabella is very protective of her sexuality. She would be wearing a little make-up but not enough to make it seem as if she is trying to seduce Angelo. I think it is very important to emphasize in this scene that Isabella has only come to try and save her brother from being executed. She is not here to seduce or bribe Angelo with her sexual favors in any way. I would have Angelo standing when Isabella enters the room and she immediately sits. This will emphasize the difference in status between the characters and the power that Angelo seems to hold over Isabella’s head.  
Isabella’s reactions to Angelo will be very timid and pleading. Angelo’s actions to Isabella on the other hand will be very authoritative and demeaning. This will emphasize Isabella’s private demeanor and Angelo’s superior one. Although Isabella is of lower status than Angelo, she has no problem putting him in his place when he refuses to save her brother...