Act 1, Scene 2 Summary

Lucio and two other gentlemen, at a public place in the city, joke with each other about their immoral practises, which seem to include patronizing brothels and stealing. They tease each other about the sexually transmitted diseases they might have as a result. Mistress Overdone, owner of a local brothel, enters and informs them that Claudio has been arrested for getting Julietta pregnant, and is to be be-headed three days from now. The three men cannot believe that Claudio would be arrested; he is a man of good reputation. Lucio says this explains why Claudio did not meet him two hours ago as planned. The men run off to see what has happened.

Pompey, the clown, enters and tells Mistress Overdone that Angelo has made a proclamation that all brothels in the suburbs (outside the walls of the city) are to...