Act IV scene vi

Isabella expresses her anxiety to Mariana. Isabella has been told by ‘Friar Lodowick' to accuse Angelo as if she had had to succumb to his sexual demands; she would rather that they revealed exactly what had happened, uncovering Mariana's substitution. However, Mariana urges her to follow the friar's advice. Friar Peter arrives to take them to the city gates, where the Duke is just arriving.

 

‘Tis a physic that's bitter to sweet end – A medicine that tastes unpleasant but has good effects: another of the disease/ medicine images found throughout the play. (See also Themes and significant ideas: The nature of humanity)