NovelGuide: Measure For Measure: Novel Summary: Act 3, Scene 1

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Act 3, Scene 1

The Duke, in disguise as the Friar, speaks to Claudio, and convinces him that it is not such a bad thing to die.� Isabella arrives and wants to speak with her brother so the Friar leaves.� He asks the Provost to place him somewhere where he can listen to their conversation, however.� Isabella tells Claudio that he must die tomorrow because there is no suitable way to save him.� She then tells him about Angelo's offer of sleeping with her instead, but she refuses to give him that as an option.� Claudio thinks about it, then encourages her to take Angelo's offer saying that God would forgive her soul because it was such a great sacrifice.� Isabella refuses, but when she leaves the Friar pulls her aside.� He tells her that she should tell Angelo that she will sleep with him, and the Friar will switch Angelo's ex-fianc�e that he abandoned after she lost her dowry.�� That way, Claudio will be free, Isabella virtuous, and his fianc�e compromised making it mandatory for Angelo to marry her.�