Measure for Measure / The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.]

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23045

Title

Measure for Measure / The Works of William Shakespeare [Cambridge Edition] [9 vols.]

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In Vienna, the Duke departs, appointing the strict Angelo as his deputy. Angelo enforces harsh laws against vice, leading to the imprisonment of Claudio for premarital pregnancy. Claudio's sister, Isabella, seeks Angelo's mercy, setting the stage for a profound conflict between rigid justice and human compassion.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in Vienna, William Shakespeare's *Measure for Measure* presents a profound exploration of the tension between rigid law and human mercy. The play opens with the Duke of Vienna departing the city, entrusting absolute authority to Lord Angelo, a deputy renowned for his severe moral rectitude and ascetic lifestyle. Upon the Duke's departure, Angelo immediately reinstates forgotten statutes that had been neglected for fourteen years. His first act is to sentence Claudio to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet, a crime that had previously gone unpunished. Claudio's sister, Isabella, a novice nun, enters the prison to plead for her brother's life. Angelo, however, demands sexual favors in exchange for clemency, creating a harrowing test of Isabella's virtue and faith. While this central conflict unfolds, the Duke, disguised as a friar, observes the proceedings from the shadows. He witnesses the corruption of the city, which has run wild under his absence, and the hypocrisy of those in power. The narrative is enriched by comic characters such as the bawdy Lucio and the simple constable Elbow, who provide commentary on the city's decay and the absurdity of Angelo's strictures. As the plot thickens, Angelo's own duplicity is exposed when he is accused of adultery with Mariana, a woman he had previously betrothed but abandoned upon his elevation to deputy. The Duke orchestrates a complex resolution to restore justice. He reveals his true identity and punishes Angelo for his tyranny and hypocrisy, while vindicating Isabella's courage and devotion. The play concludes with the restoration of order and the Duke's return, offering a sharp critique of absolute power and the necessity of mercy in governance. Through its intricate plot and rich characterizations, *Measure for Measure* argues that while laws are necessary, they must be tempered with compassion to avoid becoming instruments of cruelty. The work stands as a timeless examination of human nature, the dangers of unchecked authority, and the enduring struggle between justice and mercy.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Drama
• Comedy