By William Shakespeare
Introduction — đź“š Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare is a dark comedy that blends elements of drama and morality play. Written in 1604, it explores themes of justice, morality, and mercy, reflecting the complex socio-political climate of Shakespeare’s time. The play is set in Vienna and centers on the moral dilemmas faced by the characters, particularly when strict laws are enforced by the new deputy, Angelo. Shakespeare, known for his profound insights into human nature and society, uses this play to delve into the consequences of absolute power and the complexity of human ethics.
Plot Summary
Plot Summary — The story of Measure for Measure unfolds in Vienna, where Duke Vincentio decides to leave the city temporarily, appointing Angelo as his deputy. Angelo, a strict enforcer of the law, immediately begins a campaign against immorality, sentencing Claudio to death for impregnating Juliet before marriage. Claudio’s sister, Isabella, a novice nun, pleads for his life. Angelo, struck by her beauty and virtue, offers her a deal: her brother’s life in exchange for her virginity. Isabella refuses and plans to expose Angelo’s hypocrisy.
The Duke, disguised as a friar, overhears Isabella and orchestrates a plan involving Mariana, Angelo’s former betrothed. Mariana takes Isabella’s place, tricking Angelo. Angelo reneges on his promise and orders Claudio’s execution, but the Duke, still in disguise, saves Claudio. In the end, the Duke reveals himself, punishes Angelo, and proposes to Isabella, leaving her response ambiguous.
Character Analysis
Character Analysis —
Duke Vincentio — The ruler of Vienna who disguises himself as a friar to observe the effects of his absence and Angelo’s rule. He is wise but manipulative, using his disguise to control events from behind the scenes.
Angelo — The strict deputy who enforces Vienna’s morality laws. He appears virtuous but is hypocritical, succumbing to his lust for Isabella and abusing his power.
Isabella — A novice nun and Claudio’s sister. She is virtuous, strong-willed, and unwavering in her principles, refusing to sacrifice her chastity even to save her brother.
Claudio — Isabella’s brother, sentenced to death for fornication. His plight drives the central conflict, and his character highlights the harshness of Angelo’s rule.
Mariana — Angelo’s former fiancĂ©e, who still loves him despite his betrayal. She plays a crucial role in the Duke’s plan to expose Angelo.
| Character | Personality | Motivations | Development |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke Vincentio | Wise, manipulative | To test Angelo and observe his city | From a manipulative ruler to a merciful judge |
| Angelo | Strict, hypocritical | To maintain order and satisfy lust | Exposed as a hypocrite, faces consequences |
| Isabella | Virtuous, strong-willed | To protect her chastity and save her brother | Remains morally steadfast |
| Claudio | Desperate, repentant | To save his life and protect his love | Learns the value of mercy |
| Mariana | Loyal, loving | To be with Angelo despite his flaws | Gains justice and love |
Themes and Symbols
Themes and Symbols —
Justice and Mercy — The play examines the balance between justice and mercy, questioning the morality of strict law enforcement versus the need for compassion.
Hypocrisy — Angelo’s actions highlight the theme of hypocrisy, as he condemns others while succumbing to his own immoral desires.
Power and Authority — The misuse of power is a central theme, exploring how those in authority can be corrupted and how absolute power can lead to abuse.
Virtue and Corruption — The characters’ struggles between virtue and corruption reflect the complexity of human nature and the difficulty of maintaining moral integrity.
Symbols —
The Law — Represents order and authority but also highlights the potential for abuse when enforced without compassion.
Disguises — Symbolize the deceptive nature of appearances and the hidden truths within people.
The Bed Trick — Symbolizes deception and the manipulation of appearances to reveal deeper truths.
Style and Tone
- Language: Shakespeare’s use of iambic pentameter and prose creates a rhythmic flow, enhancing the play’s dramatic and comedic elements.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to convey themes, such as the contrast between light and dark to symbolize virtue and corruption.
- Irony: The play is rich in dramatic and situational irony, particularly in Angelo’s downfall.
- Tone: The tone shifts from serious and somber to darkly comedic, reflecting the play’s exploration of complex moral issues.
Literary Devices used in Measure for Measure
Literary Devices used in Measure for Measure —
**1. *Metaphor* — Shakespeare uses metaphors to convey complex themes and emotions, such as comparing life to a journey.
**2. *Simile* — Similes are used to create vivid comparisons, enhancing the descriptive quality of the language.
**3. *Irony* — Irony is prevalent, particularly in Angelo’s hypocritical behavior and the Duke’s manipulations.
**4. *Allusion* — References to biblical and classical texts enrich the play’s themes and character motivations.
**5. *Symbolism* — Symbols such as the law and disguises deepen the play’s exploration of justice and hypocrisy.
**6. *Foreshadowing* — Hints and clues are used to build suspense and prepare the audience for future events.
**7. *Personification* — Abstract concepts like mercy and justice are given human qualities to emphasize their significance.
**8. *Hyperbole* — Exaggeration is used to highlight characters’ emotions and the absurdity of certain situations.
**9. *Paradox* — Paradoxes underscore the play’s complex moral dilemmas, challenging the audience’s perceptions.
**10. *Imagery* — Rich imagery creates vivid scenes and conveys the play’s themes and emotions.
Literary Device Examples
Literary Devices Examples —
Metaphor
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept” | The law is compared to a living entity that can sleep, emphasizing its dormancy and reawakening. |
| “Mercy is above this sceptred sway” | Mercy is metaphorically placed above royal power, highlighting its superiority. |
| “This outward-sainted deputy” | Angelo is compared to a saint outwardly, underscoring his hypocrisy. |
Simile
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “As mice by lions” | Claudio compares the citizens’ fear of Angelo to mice fearing lions, emphasizing the power imbalance. |
| “Like rats that raven down their proper bane” | The Duke uses a simile to describe how people bring about their own destruction, comparing them to rats consuming poison. |
| “As surfeit is the father of much fast” | This simile compares overindulgence leading to abstinence, highlighting the consequences of excess. |
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Angelo’s chastity | Angelo, who enforces strict moral laws, hypocritically attempts to seduce Isabella. |
| The Duke’s disguise | The Duke pretends to leave Vienna but stays disguised as a friar, manipulating events. |
| Claudio’s sentence | Claudio is sentenced for fornication, yet Angelo, who condemns him, attempts the same crime. |
Allusion
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “An Angelo for Claudio, death for death!” | Alludes to the biblical concept of an eye for an eye, highlighting themes of justice and retribution. |
| “Take my defiance: Die, perish!” | References to classical and biblical notions of defiance and punishment. |
| “Heaven give thee moving graces!” | Alludes to divine grace, contrasting human law with divine mercy. |
Symbolism
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The law | Symbolizes order and authority, but also the potential for abuse when applied without mercy. |
| Disguises | Symbolize the deceptive nature of appearances and the hidden truths within characters. |
| The bed trick | Represents deception and the manipulation of appearances to reveal deeper truths. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| The Duke’s plan | The Duke’s discussions about his plan foreshadow the manipulations and revelations to come. |
| Angelo’s behavior | Early indications of Angelo’s strictness foreshadow his eventual moral downfall. |
| Isabella’s resolve | Her initial refusal to compromise her virtue foreshadows her steadfastness throughout the play. |
Personification
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Justice, thou mightest have been more merciful” | Justice is personified, highlighting its potential for mercy. |
| “Mercy is not itself, that oft looks so” | Mercy is given human qualities, emphasizing its complexity. |
| “The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept” | The law is personified, suggesting it can awaken and act. |
Hyperbole
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “All the enrolled penalties which have, like unscour |
’d armour, hung by the wall” | Exaggerates the neglect of laws to emphasize the need for their enforcement. |
| “That Angelo’s forsworn, is it not strange?” | The Duke uses hyperbole to stress the shock of Angelo’s betrayal. |
| “Isabella, could you forgive him?” | The emotional intensity of the plea is heightened by hyperbole. |
Paradox
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall” | Highlights the contradictory nature of success and failure, challenging moral perceptions. |
| “The strict deputy… Merciful to others, to himself unkind” | Angelo’s contradictory behavior underscores his internal conflict. |
| “Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure.” | The paradox emphasizes the play’s themes of justice and retribution. |
Imagery
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The baby beats the nurse, and quite athwart goes all decorum” | Vivid imagery depicting disorder, reflecting the state of Vienna. |
| “The sun, with one eye squinting” | Creates a vivid picture of the sun, emphasizing its power and presence. |
| “The drowsy and neglected act” | Imagery of neglect and dormancy, highlighting the state of the law. |
Measure for Measure – FAQs
Measure for Measure – FAQs —
Q: What is the main theme of Measure for Measure?
A: The main theme is the balance between justice and mercy, exploring the complexities of enforcing strict laws with compassion.
Q: Why does the Duke disguise himself as a friar?
A: The Duke disguises himself to observe the effects of Angelo’s rule and to control events from behind the scenes without revealing his true identity.
Q: How does Angelo’s character change throughout the play?
A: Angelo starts as a strict, seemingly virtuous deputy but is revealed to be hypocritical and morally corrupt when he succumbs to his lust for Isabella.
Q: What role does Isabella play in the story?
A: Isabella is central to the plot, embodying virtue and moral integrity. Her refusal to sacrifice her chastity to save her brother drives the central conflict.
Q: How does the play address the theme of hypocrisy?
A: Hypocrisy is addressed through Angelo’s actions, as he enforces strict laws on others while secretly breaking them himself.
Quiz
Quiz —
| Question | A | B | C | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who is appointed as the deputy by Duke Vincentio? | Claudio | Angelo | Lucio | Escalus |
| What does Angelo demand from Isabella in exchange for her brother’s life? | Money | Marriage | Her virginity | Her silence |
| How does the Duke disguise himself in the play? | As a merchant | As a friar | As a soldier | As a peasant |
| What is the main theme of Measure for Measure? | Love and betrayal | War and peace | Justice and mercy | Wealth and poverty |
| Who takes Isabella’s place in the bed trick? | Juliet | Mariana | Francisca | Mistress Overdone |
Exercise
Exercise —
Instructions: Read the following paragraph from Measure for Measure and identify the literary devices used. Highlight and label each device.
Paragraph: “The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept. Those many had not dared to do that evil, if the first that did th’ edict infringe had answered for his deed. Now ’tis awake, takes note of what is done, and, like a prophet, looks in a glass that shows what future evils, either now, or by remissness new-conceiv’d, and so in progress to be hatch’d and born, are now to have no successive degrees, but here they live to end.”
Answers:
- Metaphor: “The law hath not been dead, though it hath slept.”
- Personification: “Now ’tis awake, takes note of what is done.”
- Simile: “like a prophet, looks in a glass.”