While Claudio is sentenced to death, Isabella explains that the only way to save him is to condemn herself to a fate worse than death. She exclaims, "Oh, if it were only my life, I would throw it down for your deliverance as frankly as a pin." (Shakespeare 155) If it were just a literal death, he would give it in a heartbeat. However, since his soul is at stake, he insinuates that the misfortune that would accompany it compromising his virtue will result in a fate worse than death. After Claudio leaves and Isabella is talking to the disguised Duke, she says that "I would rather my brother die according to the law than have my son born illegally." (Shakespeare 159) It is clear that maintaining her virtue means everything to Isabella, even if it means sacrificing her brother. A literal death is nothing compared to the dishonor that would result from that decision. Even when Claudio tries to convince her by saying that “death is a terrible thing” and she responds by saying “and a shameful life is hateful”. (Shakespeare 154) The characters themselves represent the opposition of death. Isabella represents honor and righteousness, while Claudio embodies the physical torment that death can cause