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Mensurate for Measure is currently studied in VCE English nether Expanse of Study 1 - Text Response. For a detailed guide on Text Response, check out our Ultimate Guide to VCE Text Response.

INTRODUCTION‍

Ahh William Shakespeare. That guy. You're probably thinking, "Dandy. More than fancy language. Hasn't he been dead for centuries? Why does he keep popping up in our English curriculum?"

At least, that'south how I reacted.

Shakespeare is really a huge figure in the history of the English language, and actually no high school English curriculum is complete without a mandatory dose of him. In fact, the current VCAA study blueprint demands that one of his texts must be on the text list. What a legend.

Shakespeare doesn't just influence our world in the classroom. The Bard coined many words and phrases that we employ today. We tin can thank this playwright for "be -all, cease-all", "skilful riddance", and my personal favourite, "swagger".

The Bard's play "Measure for Measure" was first performed in 1604; over 400 years agone. And then why do we still study his works today? In fact, the ideas and themes that are evoked in his plays are universal and timeless; pertinent to his gimmicky counterparts, as well equally today's audience. Shakespeare's plays are like soup (comport with me, this is going somewhere). One could say the playwright is a principal chef; he mixes tales of the human being condition and experience and asks u.s.a. to question people and ideas. Anybody, regardless of their time, will gobble up the story.

So, what is this soup- I mean 'Mensurate for Measure' nearly? The play is known as a "trouble play" and/or "tragicomedy". That's right, it'southward both a tragedy and a comedy. Dire trials and tribulations are intertwined with humorous gags and jokesters. I approximate Shakespeare couldn't cull just one.

'Measure for Measure' is also a trouble play. Critic West.West Lawrence divers a problem play as 1 in which "a perplexing and lamentable complication in human life is presented in a spirit of high seriousness ... the theme is handled so as to arouse non merely interest or excitement, or pity or amusement, but to probe the complicated interrelations of character and action, in a situation albeit of different ethical interpretations".

Ok, crazy, but he also said that "the 'problem' is not like one in mathematics, to which there is a single truthful solution, but is one of conduct, as to which there are no fixed and immutable laws. Oft it cannot be reduced to any formula, any ane question, since human life is also complex to be then neatly simplified."

In brusk, a problem play presents lots of complications and bug that are open to different upstanding interpretations. Every bit in "Measure for Measure", the "trouble(s)" is/are not always solved.

So, what really happens in this play that is problematic? What are our ingredients in this problem soup?

‍P(L)OT SUMMARY

Become information technology? Cause soup is cooked in a pot. Sorry.

The Duke of Vienna appoints his deputy, Angelo, equally the temporary leader. This Duke and so pretends to leave town simply instead dresses upward as a friar to notice what happens in his absence. Angelo, strict and unwavering in his dedication to post-obit the rules, decides to rid Vienna of all the unlawful sexual activity; including shutting downwardly the brothels. Prostitutes like Mistress Overdone (pun warning) and her pimp Pompey are poised to lose their livelihoods. Laws against this activity exist, simply they've gotten lax over the years. Angelo, a stickler for the rules, has Claudio arrested because young Claudio has gotten his engaged wife-to-exist (Juliet) pregnant before they were officially married. Claudio is to be executed.

The virtuous Isabella, Claudio's sister, is poised to enter a nunnery. Upon hearing of her brother's abort and sentence, she goes to Angelo to beg him for mercy. He hypocritically, in an admittedly domestic dog move, propositions her, proverb he'll pardon her brother if she sleeps with him (with Angelo, not Claudio). She immediately refuses, being the religious and chaste adult female that she is. At first Claudio is upset because he wants to live, but and so he calms down and accepts death.

Luckily, the Duke (secretly dressed as a friar) helps in their pasty situation. He brews up a plan; Angelo's former flame Mariana was engaged to him, but he broke off their engagement after she lost her dowry in a shipwreck. The Friar (Duke) plans to have Isabella hold to sleep with Angelo, but then ship Mariana in her identify. In theory, Angelo would pardon Claudio and exist forced to marry Mariana past law.

The onetime switcheroo goes off without a hitch. But come morn, Angelo refuses to pardon Claudio, fearing he will seek revenge. The Duke, in collaboration with the Provost, send Angelo the head of a expressionless pirate (Ragozine) who died of natural causes. They claim that information technology's Claudio'southward head, and Angelo is satisfied, thinking him to be dead. Isabella is also told that her brother is expressionless and is encouraged past the Friar (Duke) to complain about Angelo to the Duke, who is returning dwelling house.

The Duke makes a one thousand return to Vienna, saying he volition hear whatever complaints immediately. Isabella tells her story, and the Duke feigns disbelief, despite having orchestrated the plan himself. In an act filled with more twists and turns than a Marvel moving-picture show, everything comes out; the Duke reveals he was a friar all forth, Angelo is forced to confess, and Claudio is pardoned among other things. To pinnacle it all off, the Duke proposes to Isabella. Crazy!

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

It'south important to acknowledge what was going on in the earth during the writing of a text. This may help give insight into why the author has included (or not included) some aspect of their work.

The Divine Right of Kings

This holy mandate states that a monarch derives his right to rule from the will of God and is not subject area to earthly authorisation. The "king" or monarch is hence practically divine, and questioning his orders is too questioning god; irreverence.

The Not bad Chain of Being/Class divides

This chain is a bureaucracy of all life forms and matter in the post-obit order:

• God
• Angels
• Kings & Royalty
• Nobles
• Commoners (Gentry, Merchants, Yeoman, Laborers)
• Slaves
• Animals
• Plants
• Not-living things

Hence, alongside The Divine Right of Kings, this ideal gave monarchs huge ability over their subjects.

In early 1600s England, there was a defined social hierarchy and class system. Anybody had a place in the hierarchy, and there was piddling movement between the classes. Within each class, men were considered superior to women.

Shakespeare encourages usa to enquire a few questions of our supposedly holy leader and his actions. Co-ordinate to the Divine Right of Kings, the Duke is god'due south right-hand man, and thus all his decisions are holy and backed by sky. However, the Knuckles is pretty shady when he plots his bed-play a joke on plan with Isabella and Mariana. Is this deceptive behavior still holy? Furthermore, is it not sacrilege to pretend to be a holy friar when one is not truly a holy man?

Moreover, when the Knuckles assigns Angelo every bit his deputy, would this transform Angelo into a divine ruler too? Could he be divine, considering his cruel rule and despicable request to Isabella?

Women

Women were considered subservient, lower form citizens and so men. Alliances were forged between powerful families through arranged marriages of daughters. These girls may have received an pedagogy through tutors attending their homes (there were no schools for girls), but their endgame would be marriage, children and maintaining the home. Women and girls of a lower grade did non receive any formal education only would accept learned how to govern a household and become skilled in all housewifely duties. Impoverished and drastic women (Mistress Overdone) would plow to prostitution to stay alive.

Shakespeare perhaps highlights the struggle of women in his female characters; Isabella, Mistress Overdone, Juliet, and Kate Keepdown. Their futures appear bleak; Isabella is poised to enter a nunnery, Juliet's hubby (her merely source of income and protection) is to exist executed, while the brothels that facilitate Mistress Overdone and Kate Keepdown'southward livelihoods are existence closed downwardly by Angelo.

Jacobean Audience

Information technology was a tumultuous time when Shakespeare penned 'Measure for Measure' in 1604. A year earlier came the stop of the 45 year long Elizabethan era and began the Jacobean era under the rule of King James. Since the late Queen Elizabeth had no direct heirs, King James of Scotland (a relative) took to the throne. Little was known past the English people of this foreign king.

Perhaps, as Shakespeare portrays the ruler in 'Measure for Measure out' equally clever and good-hearted, the Bard sought to appease the king by calming the people and encouraging them to trust in their new monarch.

The playwright characterizes the Duke as loving his people, but non enjoying being before their eyes and in the spotlight; much like King James, a quiet ruler who relished studying privately in his great library.

‍Playhouses and Brothels

The general public (commoners) paid a penny (could buy yous a loaf of bread back in the 24-hour interval) to see Shakespeare'south plays, standing in the "yard"; on the footing, at eye-level of the stage. The rich (gentry) paid 2 pennies for seating in the galleries, often using cushions. The actually rich (nobles) could watch the play from a chair set on the side of the stage itself. Shakespeare's plays were performed at the Globe Theatre. Playhouses in Shakespeare's time were often shut to brothels, both in terms of their concrete locations in the suburbs and the way they were viewed by some of polite society. Thus, Shakespeare's relatively sympathetic portrayal of sexual deviance in 'Measure for Mensurate' may also plant a defence of other suburban entertainment—his plays—and a style to humanize lower classes who patronized them.

WRITING Well-nigh 'Measure FOR MEASURE'

If you lot're lucky enough to study this interesting slice, the study design requires you to prepare "sustained analytical interpretations…discussing how features of the text create meaning and using textual bear witness to support (your) reasons". Basically, you'll be given a topic; this topic could surroundings themes, characters, etc., and y'all must write analytically.

While y'all may cull to construction paragraphs effectually themes, ideas or characters, make sure to embed some historical context in at that place; that'll show the examiner that you've washed your research and have a thorough and deeper agreement of why Shakespeare put this or that in. Talking nearly authorial intent in your analytical essay leads to a more in-depth analysis.

"Shakespeare portrays characters that are flawed as a upshot of pre-destined circumstances. These characters, such equally bawd Pompey and prostitute Mistress Overdone, lived in a fourth dimension when there existed strong class divides, and motility inside the social bureaucracy was rare. As per the "Great Concatenation of Being", a contemporary religious dogma, there was a hierarchy of all living things and matter, from lofty God and his angels down through the ranks of men and finally to animals and non-living things. In some cases, attempting to move up the social ranks was even considered a blasphemous rejection of the fate chosen by God."

- embedding historical context (The Neat Concatenation of Being) into a paragraph that discusses characters beingness flawed because of their circumstances

"Shakespeare offers characters such as Isabella and The Duke who strive for self-improvement through understanding and temperance. Mayhap the playwright suggests that perfection is very difficult if non incommunicable to attain, even for a ruler similar the Duke and a pure soul similar Isabella. Nevertheless, he posits that it can exist strived for and that possibly this attempt to become better is what truly matters."

- talking most authorial intent - what is Shakespeare trying to tell us?

Call up of information technology as an opportunity to brand your very own soup! Add some themes, stir in character analysis, sprinkle in some quotes and serve with historical context and authorial intent. Just similar with a soup, there's got be a adept rest of all your ingredients; exam out unlike structures during the year to observe what works for you. (Just try not to overcook it, like I take done with this soup metaphor). If you need more than aid, How To Write a Standout Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare Essay is for you!

So, you meet, at that place's more to Shakespeare and 'Mensurate for Measure' than simply fancy old language and iambic pentameter (What'south that? Well...). Continue on reading this blog post, where we'll delve into themes, characters and symbols/motifs. In the concurrently, let's have a break. Catch a snack, a drinkable, and enjoy this tasty Shakespeare meme.

...Aaaaand we're back!

Are you set for function 2 of the Shakespeare railroad train? Hop on board as nosotros explore themes, characters and symbols/motifs.‍‍

THEMES‍

These are the major themes in 'Measure for Measure'.

As you can encounter, the themes are interconnected. (Practise you like the diagram? Made it myself :)) Why does this matter? Well, if you get an essay topic about Justice, for example, yous can as well link it to Sexual and Gender Politics likewise every bit Social Disuse/Cohesion.

Then, why is any 1 theme an important theme?

Which moments and characters are these themes related to?

Is there a link to historical context?

What are some key quotes?

What could be Shakespeare's potential message? (Continue in mind that depending which pieces of prove you lot look at, the Bard could exist proverb something different. In this slice, we'll only discuss one or two authorial letters. The dazzler of Shakespeare is that much is open up to estimation. You lot tin can interpret characters and ideas in so many different ways!)

Those are some nifty questions. Let's explore some of the biggest themes...

Power and Authority

Power non but dictates the Viennese society, simply we see it is a basis for moral corruption (I'1000 looking at yous, Angelo!). The Duke is the leader of Vienna, ordained past God. He hands this power to his deputy Angelo, who misuses information technology in his request of Isabella. Now consider Isabella - she has power likewise, but a dissimilar kind… Also consider characters who have little to no power - Mistress Overdone, Pompey etc.

This theme could be linked to the Divine Right of Kings, the Bully Chain of Existence and Women.

• "O, information technology is first-class to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to employ it like a giant" - Isabella when she pleads to Angelo to not impale her brother (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 130-132)
• "He who the sword of heaven will bear should be as holy every bit severe" - The Friar (Duke) to himself, not happy with Angelo'southward dog move (Human activity iii, Scene ane, 538-539)
• "When maidens sue, men give like gods" - Lucio to Isabella, encouraging her to convince Angelo non to impale Claudio (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 87-88)
• "Hence we shall see, if power change purpose, what our seemers be." - The Duke lowkey suggesting that one time Angelo gets ability, he'll modify into something evil (Act 1, Scene 4, Line 57)
• "Some ascension by sin, and some by virtue fall." - Escalus is sneakily hating on Angelo. This quote shows that power and authority often involve abuse (Act ii, Scene 1, Line 41)

Perhaps Shakespeare is suggesting that power is a unsafe weapon and that in the wrong hands, it could be mortiferous.

Morality and Sin

This is an interesting theme. What defines sin? For instance, if Isabella sleeps with Angelo she's sinning earlier God. Simply if she doesn't, and then she'due south letting her brother die, which is not good either. Chip of a pickle that i. Some characters to consider include Isabella, Angelo, The Duke, Claudio, Lucio, the Provost…. jeez just most everyone! And then many of the characters accept part in questionable deeds. Was it immoral for the Duke to pretend to be a holy friar? Is Claudio'due south sin of impregnating Juliet really punishable by death if both parties were willing, and no 1 else has been punished for the same "crime"? Are Pompey and Mistress Overdone being immoral in being in the prostitution business, if it's the only way to survive?

Deep stuff homo. This tin can exist linked back to class divides, women and the contemporary playhouses/brothels.

• "What sin you do to save a brother'south life, nature dispenses with the deed so far that it becomes a virtue" - Claudio begs his sister to sleep with Angelo (immoral, especially since she'southward poised to enter a nunnery), saying that information technology'due south for a good cause, and will really be a virtue/skillful act (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 146-148)
• "Might there not be a charity in sin to salve this blood brother's life?" - Angelo asking Isabella to sleep with him and trying to paint the act every bit a charitable deed (Deed 2, Scene 4, Line 65-66)
• "I am a kind of burr, I shall stick" - Lucio, who represents sin and immorality in Vienna (nosotros'll talk more than well-nigh this later in symbols/motifs) (Act four, Scene 3, Line 182)
• "To bring you thus together 'tis no sin, sith that the justice of your title to him doth flourish the cant." - The Friar (Duke), encouraging Isabella and Mariana to do the dodgy bed-fox and trick Angelo (Deed 4, Scene i, Line 79-81)

Peradventure Shakespeare tries to tell the states that in that location is a fine line between something moral and something sinful. Perhaps he's asking, "who are nosotros to gauge?", since we all practise questionable things sometimes. Everyone from the almighty Duke to a lowly prostitute has committed potentially immoral acts. Perhaps audiences are encouraged to be more understanding of others, and their reasons for these deeds.

Justice

Mmm, this theme ties in nicely with just about all of the others. How does one define justice? The play explores this thought; does justice mean penalty? Or mercy? How practise we balance the two to deliver the correct punishment/lack thereof? Characters that dispense justice include The Duke, Angelo (although they have differing ideas of justice) and Isabella. Since Vienna is a religious place, consider the divine justice system (ie. a perfect, flawless arrangement meted out by God) and the earthly i (ie. the flawed, man justice system). Laws exist in an attempt to ensure justice. But does it always piece of work? Consider besides the Old and New Testament ways of thinking - the former strict and punitive, while the latter is more measured and merciful (encounter symbols/motifs beneath for more info).

This theme tin can be linked to the Divine Right of Kings, Great Chain of Being, Women, and Jacobean Audience.

• "Justice, justice, justice, justice!" - (Expect, are y'all sure this quote is about justice?) Isabella pleads for (yous guessed it) justice to the Duke (no longer dressed as a friar), thinking Angelo has, in fact, killed her brother (Act five, Scene i, Line 26)
• "The very mercy of the law cried out… 'An Angelo for Claudio, death for decease!' Haste notwithstanding pays haste, and leisure answers leisure, like doth quit like, and measure still for measure" - The Duke, explaining that it'southward just off-white that Angelo die for "killing" Claudio. (Deed five, Scene 1, Line 437-441)
• "freedom plucks justice past the nose" - The Knuckles tells Friar Thomas that the laws take slipped over the years, and the citizens of Vienna are non existence punished for immoral deeds (prostitution, sex before marriage etc)

Perhaps Shakespeare says that since we humans are inevitably flawed, that whatsoever justice arrangement created by u.s.a. volition too be imperfect. Who are we to decide the fates of our boyfriend homo? Furthermore, the Bard may be encouraging us to exist kind when dispensing justice, leaning more to mercy than punishment.

Sexual and Gender Politics

Who run the world? Gir- no it'south a bunch of men. This theme contributes to why 'Mensurate for Measure' is a problem play. The exploration of the female characters in this play are very interesting, and kind of sad. Of 20 named characters, simply v are women. Together, their lines make up only xviii% of the play. Yikes! There is a lot to unpack here. Our female characters are Isabella, Mariana, Mistress Overdone, Juliet, Francisca (a nun who speaks twice) and Kate Keepdown (who we never see). Their situations: a maiden poised to enter a nunnery, a prostitute, a significant girl about to lose her hubby, a nun, and another prostitute. Quite gloomy, isn't it? Meanwhile, the men are leaders (The Duke, deputy Angelo, and aboriginal lord Escalus) and gentlemen (Lucio, Claudio, and Froth). Over the course of the play, our female characters are put into worse situations by men. Their experiences are dictated by men. Consider taking a "feminist perspective" and exploring 'Measure out for Measure' from a female signal of view.

This theme links to the Great Chain of Being, Women and Playhouses/Brothels.

• "see how he goes virtually to corruption me!" - These are the last words we hear from Mistress Overdone, as she calls out Lucio for betraying her even though she kept secrets for him. All this happens while she's being carted off to prison house in but Act 3! What do you lot recall Shakespeare is saying to us? (Act three, Scene 1, Line 481)
• "And so was your sin of heavier kind than his" - The Friar (Duke) says to Juliet that she sinned more than than Claudio, fifty-fifty though their sin was "mutually committed". Fifty-fifty though they were both consenting, the adult female is blamed more. Consider what would become of Juliet if Claudio was executed. She'd probably cease up like Mistress Overdone... (Act 2, Scene 3, Line 31)
• "Who will believe thee, Isabel?" - Angelo says this later on Isabella threatens to reveal his icky asking. Ouch. It really goes to bear witness how untrustworthy women are accounted.  (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 163)
• "Why, you are nothing and so: neither maid, widow, nor wife?" - The Duke says this to Mariana. Basically, he says a woman tin only be those three things. Jeez. (Human activity five, Scene 1, Line 196-197)
• "When maidens sue, men give similar gods" - Lucio to Isabella, encouraging her to convince Angelo non to kill Claudio. And then, possibly women do take some power. But, it'southward due to their sexuality; something evaluated past men. Peachy. (Act 2, Scene 1, Line 87-88)

Perchance Shakespeare suggests that women are treated unfairly in society. Maybe he posits that women are afforded so few opportunities in a man'south globe. The Bard potentially says that such sexual and gender politics do non create a cohesive and just order.

Mercy

This theme, once again, connects to many others. It tin can link to all groups of people (The wealthy, the poor, women, criminals etc). Nigh of the mercy is dispensed at the stop of the play when the Duke does his grand reveal. Characters who choose to mete out mercy over penalisation include The Duke and Isabella. Also consider Angelo, who instead of choosing to spare Claudio, decides to impale him to uphold a law that hasn't seen anyone punished for the same deed. We might think this is harsh, just it a legal and lawful decision.

Connect this idea with historical context, specifically Jacobean audience and playhouses/brothels.

• "I detect an apt remission in myself" - Apt remission = prepare forgiveness. The Knuckles says this afterwards pardoning Angelo (Act 5, Scene i, Line 539)
• "pray thee take this mercy to provide for better times to come up" - The Knuckles pardons murderer Barnadine, request him to use it to do ameliorate. How lovely!  (Human action 5, Scene 1, Line 525-526)
• "permit us be corking (shrewd/sharp), and rather cut a little than autumn and bruise to expiry" - Escalus says this to Angelo, who wants to enact all strict laws immediately. The ever-reliable Escalus advises Angelo to exist lenient and merciful. (Human activity two, Scene 1, Line 6-7)
• "Mercy is non itself that oft looks so, pardon is even so the nurse of second woe" - Escalus says this, defending Angelo's decision to punish Claudio. He suggests that sometimes being merciful can encourage further wrongdoing. (Act 2, Scene ane, Line 282-283")
• "I bear witness it (pity) nigh of all when I show justice" - Angelo says to Isabella that he is showing Claudio pity/mercy by punishing him. A firm laic in the law, Angelo thinks he's doing the right thing and teaching Claudio a lesson by punishing him.  (Human action 2, Scene 2, Line 123)

Perhaps Shakespeare encourages the states to wait at mercy and penalisation from different perspectives. Angelo believes he is punishing Claudio for his own good, and cleaning up Vienna of lechery besides. Maybe nosotros ought to be merciful in our stance of the deputy. Nonetheless, the Bard shows that in the case of young Claudio, mercy and forgiveness is the right path to cull. Finally, consider why Shakespeare may accept portrayed a merciful leader to his Jacobean audience. Maybe if he were to portray a leader as fair and merciful, the Jacobean audience would trust that their new king (a human being similar in character to the Duke) could exist kind and merciful too. Earning the favour of the king and writing a killer play? He'south killed ii birds with i rock.

Human Frailty & Fallibility

I've encountered many essay topics virtually how humans are flawed and imperfect. Information technology's a pretty big theme in many texts, non just in our friend William Shakespeare's. Human fallibility is to blame for a lot of the going-ons in 'Measure for Measure'. Angelo takes the law too seriously, he gets heart optics for Isabella and kills Claudio even though he thinks he's slept with Isabella. Why? He wants to save his ain ass, fearing Claudio volition seek vengeance. The Duke is flawed too. He'southward a leader, but he just avoids his problems, leaving Angelo in charge to deal with them. Then he plans to swoop in and await like a hero. Kinda dodgy. Consider Claudio and Juliet too. They, similar Angelo, succumbed to lust and slept together before they were officially married. (Sigh, humans just can't go it right.) It's too worth thinking about the "low-lives" and poorer characters. Are the poor frail in a dissimilar way? For example, Mistress Overdone keeps Lucio's secrets for him. In that fashion she is virtuous. Yet, she sells her trunk to survive. Perhaps she is non prone to desire like Angelo, but serves some other desire - a desire to survive?

In terms of historical context, consider the Divine Correct of Kings, the Bang-up Chain of Being and Playhouses/Brothels.

• "They say best men are moulded out of faults, and for the most go much more the improve for being a little bad" - Mariana pleads to Isabella to support her in begging the Knuckles to pardon (her new husband) Angelo. She is optimistic for human being, believing our bad deeds tin lead to cocky-improvement. (Act 5, Scene 5, Line 473-475)
• "Why, all the souls that were were forfeit once" - Isabella pleads to Angelo to pardon Claudio. She states that all souls were flawed before Christ offered redemption. (Act 2, Scene 2, Line 93)
• "I speak not as desiring more, simply rather wishing a more strict restraint" - Isabella is speaking to a nun as she is poised to enter the ranks of the nunnery. We normally think of a nun equally living a very strict life, just Isabella wants it even stricter! Here we see her flaw is that her thinking is as well singular and blinkered. (Human action 1, Scene 5, Line 3-4)
• "Lord Angelo is precise, stands at baby-sit with envy, deficient confesses that his blood flows, or that his appetite is more to bread than stone." - The Knuckles talks virtually how unhuman Angelo is. The deputy follows rules very closely, almost to the point where he's like a car. His nature is as well strict.  (Act 1, Scene five, Line 53-56)
• "I dearest the people, but do non like to phase me to their eyes" - The Duke says this to Angelo and Escalus equally he easily over power to his deputy. Even the Knuckles is non perfect, in that he does not like being earlier crowds of his people (Act 1, Scene ii, Line 72-73)

Perhaps Shakespeare suggests that no 1 is truly perfect, not even a leader supposedly ordained by God, a law-abiding deputy, or a maiden who is poised to enter a nunnery. Nonetheless while Angelo is overcome by his lust and emotion, the Duke and Isabella try to improve themselves by showing mercy and temperance. Peradventure Shakespeare suggests trying to ameliorate one's flawed self is most important.

God, Religion and Spirituality

Phew, nosotros're at our concluding theme. So, society in Vienna is very much religious. Their beliefs dictate actions and laws inside the city. Some very religious characters include Isabella and Angelo. However, our novice nun, who is obsessed with virtue and chastity, agrees to and takes part in the bed-trick, a charade that is not particularly Christian. Our brawny deputy also succumbs, hellishly propositioning a maiden to sleep with him in commutation for her blood brother's life. Even The Duke, supposedly semi-divine, makes some dubious choices. He spends well-nigh of the play posed equally a holy man, even though he is non. He plans the bed-trick to deceive Angelo and lets poor Isabella think her poor brother is dead, instead of saving her so much pain. Furthermore, the title of the tale, 'Measure for Measure', comes from the Gospel of Matthew. (See symbols/motifs for more deets). The question of how much we should permit religion dictate u.s. is another reason this slice is a problem play.

The theme of God and Religion tin link to historical context such every bit the Divine Right of Kings.

• "more than than our brother is our guiltlessness" - (Act three, Scene i, Line 194) and "Better it were a brother died at in one case, than that a sister by redeeming him should die forever" - (Act 2, Scene iv, Line 111-113) bear witness that Isabella values her chastity and virtue over her brother!! Damn daughter!
• "Ay, just to die, and go nosotros know not where, to prevarication in common cold obstruction and to rot" - Claudio tells Isabella that he fears the uncertainty of decease. Perhaps his conventionalities in a heaven has left him in the wake of his impending decease? (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 129-130)
• "Let's write good affections on the devil's horns - 'tis not the devil'southward crest" - Angelo is talking to himself about his lust for Isabella. It's an appearance vs reality (ooh another theme!) kind of idea, where yous tin can try to pretend something is something else (ie. Angelo doesn't lust after Isabella), but it doesn't modify the thing (ie. he'due south even so slap-up). The deputy is comparing his emotions to these religious extremes. (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 16-17)

Perhaps Shakespeare criticises religious extremism in his portrayal of characters like Isabella and Angelo. Or possibly he only wants united states to remain open up-minded about ideas and our spirituality.

Yikes, there are so many themes in this play! Allow's move information technology along, and talk a lilliputian fleck virtually characters.

CHARACTERS

Each grapheme can be viewed in different lights, fifty-fifty more so than themes can be. We're going to hash out characters very briefly because it'southward upwardly to you how you want to read them.

Hither are the characters, in society of how much they speak in the play. To go on things short, let's pretend these are all tinder bios. Who would you swipe right on? (Hint: not Lucio)

The Duke

• super chill (the benevolent ruler of Vienna who'south let the laws slip a little)
  
• loves dressing upwards (actually spends most of the play bearded every bit a friar)
  
• clever/cunning (secretly counteracts the injustices decreed by Angelo)
  

Isabella

• strong morals (would rather her blood brother die than she lives in shame)
  
• tin get wild (conspires with the Duke to complete the bed-trick)
  
• holy gal (poised to enter a nunnery)
  

Lucio

• a admirer (well, his title is. He'south rude nigh the Duke and abased a prostitute that he got pregnant, so maybe he's not that kind of gentleman)
  
• loves attention (legit! He'southward a minor character but he has the third virtually lines of them all! Lucio loves to stir the pot!)
  
• loves some symbolism (Lucio represents all the bad stuff in Vienna…..run into symbols/motifs)
  

Angelo

• plays by the rules (a little as well much)
  
• hypocrite (Sentences Claudio to decease for sex before marriage, while asking the same thing of Isabella…. wow we've found our antagonist)
  
• Deep (Angelo is a bit of a circuitous character. He seems aware of his misdeeds and struggles to bargain with these desires. It's hard non to pity him at times)
  

Escalus

• reliable (consistently counsels Angelo against interim as well harshly)
  
• virtuous (he's merciful, lets Pompey go with a warning in Act two Scene 1)
  
• loyal (trusts in the Duke)
  

Provost

• hard worker (he's a prison ward)
  
• virtuous (does what'due south right by him, disobeying Angelo's orders to behead Claudio)
  
• magician (not really, but he makes Angelo believe that pirate Ragozine'due south head is Claudio'southward)
  

Pompey

• clever (philosophically debates whether prostitution is worse than murder)
  
• funny (his character is the clown, and he's got some sassy comebacks)
  
• poor (Pompey is a bawd employed by Mistress Overdone. Not the best dating bio)
  

Claudio

• down for a skillful time ;) (impregnates Juliet before they are officially married)
  
• cool family unit (he's Isabella'southward brother)
  
• good hearted (initially is horrified at Angelo's request of Isabella, saying she shouldn't do it. Unfortunately, his fear of expiry get's to him. After he'south calmed down, he'southward accepting of death)
  

Elbow

• a human in uniform (a policeman)
  
• a fiddling dumb (he speaks a lot of malapropisms - hilariously using similar but wrong words)
  
• not like Pompey (Pompey is a clever poor homo, while Elbow is a policeman who's a petty bit all over the place)
  

Mariana

• dedicated (still in love with Angelo fifty-fifty though he called off their engagement because her dowry was lost)
  
• a willing accomplice (participates in the bed-play a trick on)
  

Mistress Overdone

• poor (she'due south a prostitute, who fears for her livelihood when Angelo announces he's destroying all the brothels)
  
• good hearted (kept Lucio'due south hugger-mugger. What secret? Read on…)
  

Abhorson

• works for the Duke (as an executioner…. in that location's no way to make that sound nice)
  
• doesn't have a swell proper name (c'mon it's truthful)
  

Juliet

• also likes to have a skillful time ;) (pregnant before official marriage)
  
• dependent (if Claudio dies she will probably end upwards as a prostitute to survive)
  

Male child

• tin sing (Mariana asks him to sing a sad song about how she lost her beloved Angelo)
  

Francisca

• holy gal (she is a nun)
  

Kate Keepdown (we never actually run into this graphic symbol)

• a colleague of Mistress Overdone (a prostitute)
  
• single mum (Lucio got her pregnant and and so ran away. He thinks marrying a prostitute is akin to whipping and hanging)
  

Ragozine (nosotros never actually see this character)

• dies (legit that's all he does)

SYMBOLS & MOTIFS

These are people, objects, words etc that stand for a theme or thought. For instance, the fact that I've used a bad soup metaphor AND a tinder reference means I demand to go outside more. But let's move on…

Championship

The title, "Measure for Measure out" draws from the gospel of Matthew. The idea of heavenly justice vs earthly justice is prominent throughout the text. Moreover, information technology'due south worth exploring the Quondam Testament means of "an middle for an eye" and "measure for measure" in comparison to the New Attestation teachings which lean towards forgiveness and mercy. Now, where exercise the Duke's actions fit in? Is he harsh and equalising? Is he but and sympathetic?

New Testament vs. Quondam Attestation

When the Knuckles sentences Angelo to death, he makes a fancy spoken language which includes the play's title.

"'An Angelo for Claudio, decease for death!

Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure.

Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure out."

Human action 5, Scene i, Line 439-441

This mimics the Old Testament views, which famously states "heart for middle, tooth for tooth" (Exodus 21:24). These ideals teach that the person who committed a misdeed shall have the same misdeed done unto them. (For example, if you don't like my new Facebook profile movie, I'm not liking yours…..just way more astringent.)

In comparison, the New Testament states that we "Be merciful, simply every bit your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and yous will not exist judged. Do non condemn, and you will non exist condemned. Forgive, and you volition be forgiven." (Luke half dozen:36-37)

So, when sentencing Angelo the Knuckles employs the words of the Old Testament. However, he doesn't go through with Angelo's execution, instead showing the mercy encouraged by the New Testament. He's not really following either way. Peradventure he's instead choosing a middle route; ane of temperance and justice.

Lucio

Wait, who? We haven't mentioned the "admirer" Lucio much in the plot and in this blog post. That's because he doesn't really do that much other than buzz around and annoy everyone. Perchance that's why his name rhymes with mosquito….

Regardless, nosotros exercise see enough of Lucio'due south grapheme to larn that he's not a very prissy person. He treats Mistress Overdone and Pompey poorly, makes visits to the brothel, doesn't accept responsibleness for his actions (getting Kate Keepdown meaning) and bad-mouths the Duke. Then yeah, nosotros don't similar Lucio, what'due south the big deal? Well, in Human activity 4, Scene 4 Line 182, Lucio says something very intriguing.

"I am a kind of burr, I shall stick."

Burr - those little brown prickly things that get stuck to you.

We tin think of Lucio every bit representing all the sins and misdeeds in Vienna - lechery, immorality, lack of justice, selfishness etc. Hence, Lucio is saying that these shortcomings and flaws will e'er be present to people and in Vienna, sticking to the city like a nasty burr. Damn, that'south deep.

Prose/Poesy

The metre of the verse (ie. the archetype Shakespeare writing) in ''Measure for Measure"  is iambic pentameter. This means that each line is divided into 5 feet. Inside each foot, there is one unstressed syllable followed past a stressed one.

Consider:

I'll TELL him Notwithstanding of ANgelO'S reQUEST, And FIT his Listen to DEATH, for HIS soul's REST. (Act 2, Scene 4, Line 195-196)

Verse does not have to rhyme, every bit the above lines do. Shakespeare often employs a rhyming couplet to close a scene and add together some drama.

Verse is normally reserved for the higher class citizens, with those who are less fortunate speaking in prose.

Prose is language in its ordinary form, with no metre.

Certain characters, such as Lucio, switch between verse and prose depending on who they are speaking to. This could allude to Lucio'south duplicity, or perhaps a deep understanding of class divides in Vienna.

Names: Escalus and Angelo

Escalus is the ever reasonable and loyal lord and close confidant of the Knuckles. His name gives connotations of scales and residue - characteristic of the rational man.

Angelo's name has connotations of "angel". If we guess him but by his name, he should be a pure and heavenly being. Bah! That'due south so fake! We tin can encounter that appearance is very unlike from reality. Isabella notices this too, stating that "this outward-sainted deputy...is yet a devil" (Act 3, Scene ane, Line 95-98).

Angelo's Words/Deportment

There is and so much to unpack about this douchebag. Allow us briefly consider two ideas. When he propositions Isabella to slumber with him, he requests that she "lay downward the treasures of (her) trunk" (Act 2, Scene four, Line 100).

Firstly, that's weird. Perhaps Angelo can be seen as someone who is obsessed with the physical - Isabella's body and treasure. Maybe this obsession leads to his immorality and poor leadership.

Secondly, Angelo struggles to straight say, "hey, allow's slumber together". He weaves his fashion effectually the asking, propositioning Isabella so indirectly that at first, she does not even seem to empathize his request! Withal, once she threatens to tell everyone about his vile demand, he speaks bluntly; "Who volition believe thee, Isabel?" (Human action two, Scene 4, Line 163). Perhaps this shows Angelo is self-enlightened that he'due south existence an donkey. Or maybe this scene is yet more than bear witness of a patriarchal society, with the men knowing very well the power they hold.

Ragozine

We never actually come across this boyfriend. Ragozine is a pirate who dies in jail while "Measure for Mensurate" unfolds. His head is used in place of Claudio'due south to convince Angelo of the erstwhile'due south execution. Fascinatingly, Ragozine is the just person who dies in the unabridged play. Likewise, he dies of natural causes. Interesting. It feels like the play is full of decease, grief and many heads on the chopping block. But curiously, there is only one death, of a minor character, of natural causes. Mayhap this says something nearly fate and justice or offers some commentary on life and hope.

Elbow vs. Pompey

Elbow is a lightheaded policeman who speaks in malapropisms (using a similar but incorrect word for humorous effect). Pompey is a clever pimp who seems to accept a deep understanding of justice and the Viennese people. The comparison of these characters, fortunate and dumb to unfortunate and clever, perchance serves to show that the law is non always apt and that sometimes those who pause the law are more clever than it.

Mistress Overdone (or lack thereof)

Mistress Overdone is a pitiable prostitute. She worries for her survival when Angelo begins pulling down the brothels, and she keeps Lucio's bastard kid a secret, simply for him to throw her under the bus to save his ain skin. The final we see of Mistress Overdone is her getting carted off to prison, crying "Run across how he goes about to abuse me!" (Act 3, Scene 1, Line 481) Yes, the last nosotros witness of one of five speaking female characters is of her imminent incarceration. Furthermore, this happens in Human action 3 of 5, effectually halfway through the play! The audience never hears from Mistress Overdone once more, and her hereafter is left uncertain. Fifty-fifty Barnadine, a convicted murderer, is given liberty and a happy ending.

Consider writing a few sentences of your essay from a feminist's perspective. Recollect virtually the events of the play from the female characters' points of view. What is Shakespeare proverb past portraying Mistress Overdone (and other women) in such a style? Maybe he is pointing out the injustices of the patriarchal system, or how uncertain a adult female'south life was in his contemporary time.

"Measure for Measure" truly is an incredible text. This blog mail is by no means an exhaustive list of all its quirks and complexities. This play's relevance has survived centuries, and I believe it will continue to exist pertinent to audiences well into the hereafter. You are very lucky to be studying a text with such universal themes and ideas that you lot can carry with you even after high school.

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Source: https://www.vcestudyguides.com/blog/to-kill-a-mockingbird

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