Shakespeare Closely Read

We begin Cariolanus, and meet Martius, a proud Roman patrician, who later becomes Cariolanus.  He confronts a band of rebellious plebians and expresses his contempt for them.  The civil strife is apparently interrupted by pending war with the Volscians, whose leader is a frenemy of Martius. He goes to war, but the new tribunes stay behind and begin a plot against Martius.

The Duke reveals his true identity and that he set up the test of Angelo.  Mariana enlists Isabel in her cause and the Duke agrees to pardon Angelo.  Everyone is sentenced to be married.

What’s mine is yours, and what is yours is mine.

The Duke returns and Isabella cries out for Justice!

The Duke's plot to substitute Marianna for Isabella seems to work, but will Angelo fulfill his part of the bargain and pardon Claudio?

Claudio appears resigned to his death, but then urges Isabella to give in to Angelo to save himself. She refuses.  The Duke convinces Isabella to appear to give in but actually substitute Angelo's former finacee.

Isabella pleads for her brother's life, but Angelo will only pardon him if Isabella agrees to sleep with him.  Isabella has some good speeches on how the law can act like a tyrant, contrasting that with mercy.

Lucio pleads with Isabella, about to become a nun, that she plead with Angelo for her brother Claudio's life.

The Duke of Vienna appears to depart leaving Angelo with power to enforce law.  Claudio is arrested for getting his fiancee with child.

Happy ending with Claudio and Hero marrying as well as Benedick and Beatrice.

Hero's father, uncle, and Benedict challenge Claudio and the Prince for causing Hero's death.  Don John flees and his men confess the trick they played on Hero.