Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare is a UK edition published by Penguin Books, Limited on July 30, 2015. This 224-page work is recognized as a ‘problem play’ due to its blend of comic elements with serious moral questions. The narrative unfolds in Vienna during the Duke Vincentio’s absence, where his deputy Angelo enforces a strict law against premarital sex, leading to a dire situation for Claudio, who faces execution for his actions. Isabella, Claudio’s sister, seeks to save him, confronting Angelo’s troubling proposition that tests her values.
Readers will find a rich exploration of themes such as justice, pride, and desire within this black comedy. The edition includes a general introduction to Shakespeare’s life and the Elizabethan theatre, along with a specific introduction to Measure for Measure. Additional features comprise a chronology, suggestions for further reading, an essay on performance options, and a commentary, providing a comprehensive context for understanding the play’s complexities. This edition serves as a valuable resource for those interested in drama and literary criticism, particularly within the European and English contexts.
Official synopsis Publisher
Labelled as a ‘problem play’ for its marriage of comic overtones to serious moral inquiry, William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure is a peerless black comedy of justice, pride and desire. This Penguin Shakespeare edition is edited by J.M. Nosworthy with an introduction by Julia Briggs. ‘Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.’ In the Duke Vincentio’s absence from Vienna, his strict deputy Angelo revives an ancient law forbidding sex outside marriage. The young Claudio, whose fiancee Juliet is pregnant, is condemned to death by the law. His sister Isabella, soon to become a nun, pleads with Lord Angelo for her brother’s life. But her purity so excites Angelo that he offers her a monstrous bargain – he will save Claudio if Isabella will visit him that night. This book contains a general introduction to Shakespeare’s life and Elizabethan theatre, a separate introduction to Measure for Measure, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen, and a commentary.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Measure for Measure” about?
Who is the author of “Measure for Measure”?
When was “Measure for Measure” published?
What is the ISBN for “Measure for Measure”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
