What dramatic interest has Shakespeare created through his portrayal of the Duke in Act 3? In order to answer this question, it is necessary to study the character of the Duke and how he is developed in Act 3. The Duke acts principally as an observer, watching Isabella and Claudio argue before sweeping in to resolve the situation. He is also, however, involved with the characters despite his assumption of religious real authority echoing his real status. …showed first 75 words of 1085 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1085 total…moral schemes to catch red handed a man he set up in power. He descends to trickery and manipulation, and yet delivers sermons on the need for 'correction and instruction'. It is through his ambiguousness that the audience interest is maintained. Also the Duke is responsible for driving the plot forward in this scene, producing the 'bed trick' from the dusty recesses of his mind. Thus he is a very dynamic and dramatically interesting character.