Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

The Duke speaks with Friar Thomas about why he seeks secret refuge in the friary. He tells the friar that Vienna has very strict laws that for fourteen years he has let slip. As a result, the laws are "more mocked than feared" among the people, and are thus, useless. To solve this problem, he has put Angelo, "a man of stricture and firm abstinence," in charge. Friar Thomas thinks the Duke would do a better job, and does not understand why he gave the task to Angelo. The Duke replies that he, in a way, encouraged the people to behave as they are behaving by not punishing them for their deeds, and he would be a tyrant to do an about-face and start punishing them. The Duke will observe "both prince [Angelo] and people" disguised as a friar. That way...