sex for sex

The term “eye for an eye” is derived from Bible, referring to the idea that if one loses an eye during a fight, the opponent should compensate his eye as well. Lex Talionis or the Law of Retaliation demands equal retribution for one’s mistakes and the punishment should be equivalent to the transgression committed, nothing more and nothing less. In Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, Claudio impregnates his fiancé and is sentenced to death by Angelo; however, when Isabella pleads for Claudio’s life, Angelo requests for her virginity in return. Angelo is considered hypocritical, endeavoring to sleep with a woman out of wedlock to free a man who has done the same deed. Yet, it is interesting that although Angelo’s punishment for Claudio is not necessarily an “eye for an eye,” Angelo’s potential affair with Claudio’s sister is a more fitting punishment and definitely more similar to Claudio’s offense. Angelo’s request for Isabella’s virginity is looked down upon as disgusting and vile but, according to the Moseic Law of Lex Talionis, this is exactly the “eye for an eye” reprieve that Claudio deserves and not his death sentence. When Claudio later implores his sister to seal the deal, is it possible that he is doing so not because he is coward but because he feels that his original punishment is more severe than his wrongdoings and that his sister’s sex with Angelo, no matter how terrible, is actually more suitable?

Paolo Banaag
Aaron Gorelik- 1C