Measure for Measure - William Shakespeare

Another A-Level English Book! Measure for Measure was written in 1603 or 1604. The play was first published in 1623 in the First Folio. The earliest recorded performance of Measure for Measure took place on "St. Steven's night", December 26, 1604. During the Restoration, Measure was one of many Shakespearean plays adapted to the tastes of a new audience. Sir William Davenant inserted Benedick and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing into his adaptation, called The Law Against Lovers. Samuel Pepys saw the hybrid play on 18 February 1662; he describes it in his Diary as "a good play, and well ... more

PLOT SYNOPSIS This is a brief overview to a very complicated play. I have also purposely not given away the ending of the play. Set in Vienna (a change from the usual setting of Verona), we meet the Duke, who has failed to enforce the laws of the state, and as a result Vienna has become a sordid city with prostitution and loose morals being very prominent. One day for no apparent reason (the no apparent reason - happens quite a lot in this play! Some questions don't have answers! Thats why the play is so thought provoking.) the Duke decides to leave Vienna, and hand power over to Angelo, his ... more

In the 400 years since this play was written, many people more qualified than myself have ventured their opinions on it. In the new millennium, there are some who would argue it has lost its relevance, but I am not amongst that number. Besides, it’s a play that’s full of fun. See what you think …. PLOT SUMMARY (with some minor details deliberately withheld) In the opening scene of Act I we see the main character of the play, the Duke of Vienna, making arrangements for a period of absence. His deputy, Angelo, is to be fully empowered to act on his behalf. The Duke appears unsure of the decision ... more

SEX! Disgusting, sordid sex! That’s what this play is about; the revolting and fetid gloopiness of the sexual act and all related activities. Well, to be honest, that’s not ALL that it’s about, but it is certainly one of the predominant themes. But before we delve deeper into this stinking morass of filth and depravity, a quick plot summary… Quick plot summary: The Duke of Vienna asks his deputy, Angelo, to take charge of the city while he goes on holiday. Angelo, who’s a bit of a prude, decides to dredge up an ancient law against immoral sexual behaviour that has ... more

Measure for Measure could perhaps best be described as a problem play. Indeed, many critics have seen it as such, and for this reason, it remains one of Shakespeare's relatively obscure works to those outside of literary circles. Measure for Measure is a tale of contrasts, exploring the differences between disguise and reality, justice and mercy, morality and normality amongst other themes. The text, as is typical of the works of Shakespeare, is far from straightforward and it is useful to use some form of companion in order to comprehend the full meaning, particularly if one is not well ... more