Which I'd Fain Call Master (Measure for Measure, 2.2)

More people in the law enactment and law enforcement industries ought to read Measure for Measure.  Today's clip comes from Isabella, who is pleading for her brother Claudio's life to Angelo, the newly installed duke:

                                            ....but man, proud man,
               Drest in a little brief authority,
               Most ignorant of what he's most assured,
               His glassy essence, like an angry ape,
               Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
               As make the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
               Would all themselves laugh mortal.

An excellent little lesson how man wastes his gifts, talents, and powers.  There used to be the idea of ruling by divine right.  Here, Isabella says that there isn't anything divine about it.  If only man could see how angels would react to how man functions down here.  

Like time, authority is a man made thing, often and usually misappropriated in the name of God or some other divine being.  Drest in a little brief authority.  Just like the candle.  Signifying nothing.  All very self-serving.... 

And Claudio must march to his execution.  His offense, copulation.  Would Lear were here to back Isabella up.  Let copulation thrive!