Measure for MeasureMeasure 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, includes: -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. |
Contents
Shakespeares Life | |
Shakespeares Theater | |
The Publication of Shakespeares Plays | |
Characters in the Play | |
Longer Notes | |
Historical Background | |
Textual Notes | |
A Modern Perspective | |
Further Reading | |
Key to Famous Lines and Phrases | |
Common terms and phrases
ABHORSON acting companies actors Barnardine bawd brother called characters Clares comedies condemned death desire disguise doth DUKE duke’s earlier in F edition editors ELBOW English ESCALUS exits father faults Folger Shakespeare Library Folio fornication Friar Peter give Globe God’s grace hanged haste hath head hear heaven Honor Isabel Isabella justice Kate Keepdown King’s leiger line earlier London longer note Lord Angelo LUCIO maid malapropism man’s Mariana marriage married means Measure for Measure mercy Mistress Overdone modern moral offense pardon perhaps Philip Henslowe play’s playhouses playwright Pompey poor Poor Clares pray printed prison Problem Comedies prostitutes Proverbial PROVOST quartos readers Saint Scene SECOND GENTLEMAN sentence sexual Shakespeare’s language Shakespeare’s plays sister slander speak speech stage direction Stratford-upon-Avon syphilis texts theater thee There’s thou art tomorrow Vienna virtue What’s William Shakespeare woman wordplay words
Bibliographic information
| Title | Measure for Measure Folger Shakespeare Library |
| Author | William Shakespeare |
| Editors | Dr. Barbara A. Mowat, Paul Werstine |
| Edition | annotated |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster, 2015 |
| ISBN | 150112658X, 9781501126581 |
| Length | 336 pages |
| Subjects | › › Drama / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Drama / General Drama / Shakespeare |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |