Act 5, Scene 1 Summary

The Duke arrives (as himself) at the town gate and greets Escalus and Angelo warmly. He tells them he has heard good things about their enforcement of justice while he was away. Isabella kneels before the Duke and begs that he hear her complaint and that he give her justice. The Duke replies that Angelo can handle her complaint. Isabella begs the Duke to hear her because Angelo is "a murderer," "an adulterous thief," "an hypocrite, a virgin violator." Angelo suggests Isabella is mad. Isabella argues that she had others to support her story including Lucio.

Isabella tells her story, but excludes everything to do with the "Friar" whose plan she followed. She tells the story as if she slept with Angelo. The Duke pretends not to believe Isabella, and accuses her of purposefully trying to slander Angelo's good name. When...