How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line). Line numbers correspond to the Riverside edition.
Quote #10
DUKE
And now, dear maid, be you as free to us.
Your brother's death, I know, sits at your heart,
And you may marvel why I obscured myself,
Laboring to save his life, and would not rather
Make rash remonstrance of my hidden power
Than let him so be lost.
[...]
But peace be with him.
That life is better past fearing death
Than that which lives to fear. (5.1.442-447; 540-542)
Can you believe this guy? Here, Duke Vincentio acknowledges that it was odd for him to pretend he was a friar when he could have just revealed his true identity and saved Claudio's life. What's worse, the Duke continues to lie here when he lets Isabella believe her brother is dead and has gone to a "better" place. What a creep.