Pathos and comedy:Critical commentary (Act I, Scene II)

The plight of Claudio, who is under arrest for having made Juliet pregnant without having been able to marry her firs, certainly arouses our sympathy for him. He wins our sympathy because of his good intentions towards the wronged girl. He earnestly wanted to marry her but had not able to do so because her dowry has not being released by her relations. However, there is plenty of comedy too in this scene. The conversation between Mistress Overdone and others is very amusing. Lucio, on seeing her, says:

 “Behold, behold where Madam Mitigation comes!

 I have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to-”. 

When Mistress Overdone complains that the new proclamation issued by Angelo is likely to result in her brothel being dismantled, and when she asks what would become if her, Pompey makes and amusing speech. He says:  

“Come: fear not you: good counselors lack no clients:
 though you change your place, you need not change your trade:
 I’ll be your tipster still; courage, there will be pity taken on you; you that having worn your eyes almost out in the service, you will be considered.”

Pompey means to say that Mistress Overdone has been plying her trade as a whore so long that the authorities will show due consideration to her, and that she should not therefore worry too much about her future, especially when he would continue to be her tapster (or pimp). Towards the close of this scene, Lucio makes a witty remark when he tells Claudio that Claudio’s head stands so insecure on his shoulders that even a milkmaid in love can blow it off with her sighs. Lucio is the kind of man who must say something funny even in a situation which means trouble for others.