Full size book cover of Measure for Measure}

Measure for Measure

William Shakespeare, Paul Werstine, Barbara A. Mowat

3.67(29734 readers)
Measure for Measure is among the most passionately discussed of Shakespeare’s plays. In it, a duke temporarily removes himself from governing his city-state, deputizing a member of his administration, Angelo, to enforce the laws more rigorously. Angelo chooses as his first victim Claudio, condemning him to death because he impregnated Juliet before their marriage. Claudio’s sister Isabella, who is entering a convent, pleads for her brother’s life. Angelo attempts to extort sex from her, but Isabella preserves her chastity. The duke, in disguise, eavesdrops as she tells her brother about Angelo’s behavior, then offers to ally himself with her against Angelo. Modern responses to the play show how it can be transformed by its reception in present culture to evoke continuing fascination. To some, the duke (the government) seems meddlesome; to others, he is properly imposing moral standards. Angelo and Isabella’s encounter exemplifies sexual harassment. Others see a woman’s right to control her body in Isabella’s choice between her virginity and her brother’s life. The authoritative edition of Measure for Measure from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, -The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference -Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently linked to the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the play’s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Christy Desmet The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.

Publisher

Simon Schuster

Publication Date

8/18/2015

ISBN

9781501126581

Pages

336

Categories

Literature

About the Author

Portrait of author William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon" (or simply "the Bard"). His extant works, including collaborations, consist of some 39 plays, 154 sonnets, three long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare remains arguably the most influential writer in the English language, and his works continue to be studied and reinterpreted.
Shakespeare was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. At the age of 18, he married Anne Hathaway, with whom he had three children: Susanna, and twins Hamnet and Judith. Sometime between 1585 and 1592, he began a successful career in London as an actor, writer, and part-owner ("sharer") of a playing company called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, later known as the King's Men after the ascension of King James VI and I of Scotland to the English throne. At age 49 (around 1613), he appears to have retired to Stratford, where he died three years later. Few records of Shakespeare's private life survive; this has stimulated considerable speculation about such matters as his physical appearance, his sexuality, his religious beliefs, and even certain fringe theories as to whether the works attributed to him were written by others.
Shakespeare produced most of his known works between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were primarily comedies and histories and are regarded as some of the best works produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until 1608, among them Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, all considered to be among the finest works in the English language. In the last phase of his life, he wrote tragicomedies (also known as romances) and collaborated with other playwrights.
Many of Shakespeare's plays were published in editions of varying quality and accuracy during his lifetime. However, in 1623, John Heminge and Henry Condell, two fellow actors and friends of Shakespeare's, published a more definitive text known as the First Folio, a posthumous collected edition of Shakespeare's dramatic works that includes 36 of his plays. Its Preface was a prescient poem by Ben Jonson, a former rival of Shakespeare, that hailed Shakespeare with the now famous epithet: "not of an age, but for all time".

Questions & Answers

The central conflict in "Measure for Measure" revolves around the tension between justice and mercy, particularly as embodied by the characters of Duke Vincentio and Angelo. Duke Vincentio, who is away from Vienna, uses his deputy, Angelo, to test the city's legal system. Angelo's rigid interpretation of the law leads to the unjust execution of Claudio, who has slept with Juliet, his betrothed. This prompts Isabella, Claudio's sister, to appeal to Angelo for mercy, leading to a moral dilemma for both characters.

The play reflects themes of justice and mercy through the characters' actions and decisions. Duke Vincentio represents mercy and compassion, while Angelo embodies the idea of strict justice. The conflict highlights the moral ambiguity of justice, as both characters struggle with the balance between the letter of the law and the spirit of justice. The play questions whether justice should be absolute or flexible, and whether mercy can be a part of the legal process. The resolution, where Duke Vincentio ultimately prevails, suggests that mercy and compassion are essential components of true justice.

In "Measure for Measure," Shakespeare employs Duke Vincentio as a subtle yet powerful tool to challenge the authority of Angelo and the legal system. By disguising himself as a friar, Vincentio is able to manipulate events and reveal the flaws in Angelo's rigid interpretation of the law. He exposes Angelo's hypocrisy by having him marry Mariana, who is pregnant with his child, thus demonstrating that Angelo's rule is arbitrary and not based on justice. Additionally, Vincentio's interference shows that the law is not infallible and can be manipulated for personal gain. By doing so, Shakespeare suggests that true justice is not solely found in the law but also in the moral choices of individuals like himself. This subversion of authority and the legal system underscores the play's themes of justice, morality, and the human condition.

Isabella's role in "Measure for Measure" is pivotal, as she embodies the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and forgiveness. Initially, Isabella is a novice nun, committed to a life of chastity and piety. Her character development is marked by her struggle between her religious duties and her love for her brother, Claudio. When Claudio is sentenced to death, Isabella appeals to the corrupt Deputy Angelo for mercy, leading to a moral dilemma that forces her to consider the nature of justice and morality.

Isabella's willingness to sacrifice her own virtue to save her brother highlights the theme of sacrifice. Her decision to engage in a sexual relationship with Angelo, despite her religious vows, is a significant sacrifice that ultimately leads to her own redemption. By doing so, she exposes Angelo's corruption and brings about justice for her brother, demonstrating the transformative power of forgiveness and redemption.

Throughout the play, Isabella's character evolves from a passive, religious figure to an active participant in the pursuit of justice. Her journey reflects the play's exploration of the complexities of moral choices and the consequences of one's actions, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and the potential for redemption even in the face of moral ambiguity.

In "Measure for Measure," Shakespeare uses the subplot involving Pompey and Mistress Overdone to comment on themes of vice, corruption, and the consequences of one's actions. Pompey's occupation as a bawd and his association with Mistress Overdone exemplify the corrupting influence of vice. This subplot highlights the moral decay that can occur when individuals engage in morally questionable activities, as Pompey's livelihood depends on the vice he promotes.

Shakespeare also uses this subplot to underscore the consequences of one's actions. Pompey's eventual imprisonment serves as a direct consequence of his involvement in vice, illustrating that the law ultimately holds individuals accountable for their actions. This subplot contrasts with the main plot, where the Duke's actions are more complex and less straightforward in their moral implications, suggesting that the consequences of one's actions are not always as clear-cut as they may seem. Overall, the Pompey subplot serves as a stark reminder of the moral decay that can result from vice and the importance of considering the consequences of one's actions.

The ultimate resolution of "Measure for Measure" involves Duke Vincentio, disguised as a friar, orchestrating a series of events to expose and correct the injustices committed by his deputy, Angelo. Initially, Angelo sentences Claudio to death for fornication. Duke Vincentio, using Isabella's and Mariana's appeals, reveals Angelo's hypocrisy and corruption. He sentences Angelo to marry Mariana, who was jilted by him, and then to be executed. However, upon Mariana and Isabella's plea for mercy, the Duke pardons Angelo and proposes to Isabella, suggesting a balance between justice and mercy. This resolution reflects Shakespeare's views on justice and mercy as interconnected; while justice is necessary, mercy can temper its harshness. It also highlights the human condition, where moral ambiguity and the struggle between good and evil are central. Shakespeare suggests that even the most virtuous individuals can be corrupted by power, and that redemption is possible through the exercise of mercy and the recognition of one's flaws.

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