Let us now take up Angelo’s soliloquy:
ANGELO
From thee, even from thy virtue. What’s this? What’s this? Is this her fault or mine? The tempter or the tempted, who sins most, ha? Not she, nor doth she tempt; but it is I That, lying by the violet in the sun, Do as the carrion does, not as the flower, Corrupt with virtuous season. Can it be That modesty may more betray our sense Than woman’s lightness? Having waste ground enough, Shall we desire to raze the sanctuary And pitch our evils there? O fie, fie, fie! What dost thou, or what art thou, Angelo? Dost thou desire her foully for those things That make her good? O, let her brother live. Thieves for their robbery have authority When judges steal themselves. What, do I love her That I desire to hear her speak again And feast upon her eyes? What is ’t I dream on? O cunning enemy that, to catch a saint, With saints dost bait thy hook. Most dangerous Is that temptation that doth goad us on To sin in loving virtue. Never could the strumpet With all her double vigor, art and nature, Once stir my temper, but this virtuous maid Subdues me quite. Ever till now When men were fond, I smiled and wondered how. [He exits.]
Who is more at fault in the relationship of temptation: the tempter or the tempted?