Measure for Measure By William Shakespeare - Explain the significance of the title.

Measure for Measure By William Shakespeare GCSE Coursework 2003 Explain the significance of the title. The first thing to note is that 'Measure for Measure', unlike some of the comedies, has a highly significant title, a phrase which not only sums up the basic theme of the play, but is brought out and emphasized in the last act, when the Duke condemns Angelo: "An Angelo for Claudio; death for death. Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure" ( V.i.l.406-409 ). To me, the title 'Measure for Measure' suggests balance. It is all about duality, and the theory that there are two sides to everything, to every story. Everything has an opposite. Good versus bad, right versus wrong, law and order versus vice and inequity. All the characters and themes throughout the play carry this duality. 'Measure for Measure' takes it title from the Gospel according to Matthew: "with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Matthew 7:2), a passage from the Sermon on the Mount, one of Christ's most famous sermons. Many of the people in Shakespearian times were religious and read the Bible and so were likely to know of this sermon. Among other things, this sermon shows the importance of the difference between outer sacredness and inner corruption. Like the play, the Sermon on the Mount stresses the world of thoughts,

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What do you find interesting in the presentation of Isabella?

What do you find interesting in the presentation of Isabella? In Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure', Isabella is a most complex character. Her nature showing often conflicting sides during different parts of the play. This ambiguity of her true character means Shakespeare can constantly keep his audience on edge, never truly defining Isabella as either good or bad, tying in with the genre as a whole, as a problem play. Isabella's character clearly reflects the complexity and diversity of 'Measure for Measure' whilst also being an important tool for Shakespeare, in allowing him to balance out parts of the play. Shakespeare first introduces Isabella in Act 1 scene 4. Here Shakespeare focuses on her religious qualities, on her absolute nature. Her piety is emphasised through her conversation with Francisca 'rather wishing a more strict restraint upon sisterhood, the votarists of St Clare.' Here Shakespeare is focusing the portrayal of Isabella on here strict religious principles, balancing the scene perhaps in that the audience have previously been told of all the immorality of Vienna. Even from this early stage in the play Isabella's character can already be interpreted and accepted by the audience in more than one way. Firstly her absolute nature may appeal to the audience and be seen as an admirable characteristic. However it may also be taken to the other extent, seen as

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Theme's in 'Measure for Measure.'

'Sex' is a particularly relevant theme in 'Measure for Measure.' It does not actually appear very often as a theme in itself, but it provides a background to most of the other important themes in the play, such as justice, 'seeming,' sin and morality. All of the separate story lines appear to involve a sexual theme, including Claudio and Juliet's 'crime,' Angelo's hypocrisy involving both Mariana and Isabella, and Mistress Overdone's brothel. Shakespeare has assigned sexual attitudes to particular characters, and through these he presents sex as a theme. Characters with particular attitudes towards sex include Angelo, Isabella, Juliet and Claudio. Their principles only appear to be presented during the first three acts of the play, as the story line continues on a basis of what we already know about their attitudes towards sex. The individual views of these characters are set against a background of Vienna as a corrupt city; religious and moral principles; Mistress Overdone and Pompey's professional interest, and Lucio's promiscuity. Shakespeare has used Lucio as the representative promiscuous character. He banters bawdily with two gentlemen in Act I, Scene II, when they accuse each other of suffering from venereal disease, 'I had as lief be a list of an English kersey, as be piled, as thou art pilled, for a French velvet.' Shakespeare has used humour in this scene as this

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Discuss Shakespeare's Presentation of Isabella in 'Measure for Measure'.

Discuss Shakespeare's Presentation of Isabella in 'Measure for Measure' Isabella, a nun and sister of Claudio, plays a key role in Measure for Measure. All of the major events that occur in the plot are in some way linked to her. For example she is instrumental in saving Claudio's life when he is found to have made Juliet pregnant, this leads to her involvement with the other major characters. I chose to write my essay on her as in preliminary work I found her a very interesting and influential character. She seems to bring a lot to the play in the sense that she is really the only female lead character, and she seems to be the most morally upright and genuine individual in the play. The first time Shakespeare introduces her is in the convent in Act 1 Scene 4, that she is about to enter, probably for the rest of her life. This initially shows us that her faith is very strong, as she has pledged her life to God and the church. She also displays how devout she is when talking to the head nun; she asks, "have you nuns' no further privileges?" this is Isabella asking for the rules to be stricter. You can see right from the outset that Shakespeare presents her a very strong and single-minded character. Her character is shown to be very loyal to her brother, Claudio. She initially doubts her power to change Angelo's mind about the execution, but Lucio skilfully persuades her by

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In what ways does Shakespeare present Isabella up until the end of Act 2?

In what ways does Shakespeare present Isabella up until the end of Act 2? Shakespeare presents Isabella as a key character in Measure for Measure. Isabella is the sister of Claudio who has been condemned to die under the power of Lord Angelo, so she is vital to the plot as she attempts to persuade Angelo to pardon her brother. Interestingly, at the beginning Isabella is joining a convent as a trainee nun. This makes her somewhat different from the other characters presented in Measure for Measure as religion primarily controls her life. At a time when Vienna is corrupt Isabella seems the one of the few characters who has genuine moral values, making her a likeable character. Isabella is the focus of male interest in the play and both of the two males in control; the Duke and Lord Angelo are entranced by her. Angelo finds himself overwhelmed with desire for the Isabella and in the dying moments of the play, the Duke proposes marriage to her. Her dramatic impact on these two, powerful men reflects Isabella's incorruptible charm, portraying how she can attract men with her innocence. There are often times when Isabella's religion is tested such as when Lord Angelo propositions her. However, his tyrannous use of power does not intimidate her and she maintains her principles. Although a modern audience, respect her moral values they cannot always understand how religion can

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Morality in Measure for Measure

Morality in Measure for Measure Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure, focuses on human morality. The play also explores the question of what kind of sexual conduct is socially acceptable, and what is not. The play depicts various attitudes toward prostitution, promiscuity, and premarital sex. But it also suggests that human law and perhaps human morality is quite arbitrary and relative. Measure for Measure considers the need for statutes and laws to govern sexual appetites and ensure domestic tranquillity. But it also focuses on the conflict between human actions and human moral values, especially as it is manifest in the issue of seeming and being. The Duke himself notes the difference between appearance and reality as he speaks about his deputy Angelo, who appears to be the perfect deputy and the disciplined (even puritanical) character. Noting Angelo's character, the Duke also questions the integrity of his inner and outer worlds: Lord Angelo is precise; Stands at a guard with envy; scarce confesses That his blood flows, or that his appetite Is more to bread than stone: hence shall we see, If power change purpose, what our seemers be. Angelo ultimately proves to be a seemer, one whose statements of virtue and self-control do not match his behaviour. But to call him a hypocrite misses the mark: he is as surprised at his lust as anyone else, at least at its onset,

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How Does Shakespeare Create Dramatic Interest in Act1 Scene2 Of Measure for Measure

Chris Wilson. How Does Shakespeare Create Dramatic Interest in Act1 Scene2 Of Measure for Measure Shakespeare uses Act1 scene2 to inform the audience of the plot, introduce new characters and also add some comic relief. This scene shifts from joking about prostitution and politics, to comment on the Deputy Governor's (Angelo's) new regime. Claudio, a young gentleman of some status has been arrested at this point, but we don't really know the circumstances of his arrest, and Shakespeare uses this scene to inform us of some of the details and the punishment duration; which are that he has committed the offence of sex before marriage and he must be beheaded. "Claudio to prison? Tis not so,' 'Nay, but I know' tis so...within these three days his head is to be chopped off." Shakespeare uses this quote to show Mistress Overdone, the owner of a brothel, informing Lucio and two Gentlemen, of Claudio's arrest and his death sentence. This is an example of how Shakespeare informs the audience of the previous actions of the characters. The news of Angelo's plans to enforce the laws more strictly is treated by the lower echelons of society with despair, as indicated by this quote from Mistress Overdone, Pompey: "All houses in the suburbs must be pulled down' Madam Overdone: 'And what shall become of those in the city?'... 'Why here's a change indeed and what

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"The last act of Measure for Measure raises more questions than it solves, is this a satisfactory conclusion to the play?"

"The last act of Measure for Measure raises more questions than it solves, is this a satisfactory conclusion to the play?" (discuss) Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeare's unclassifiable plays. It was written in 1603 and is one of his most enigmatic and unfathomable works. It is normally referred to as a problem play and, up until the 20th century it was seen as one of Shakespeare's worst works, due to the fact that many were uncertain as to the character's motives. However within the last century, it has undergone a revival and many believe it to be one of his greatest works. The play contains a wonderful mix of serious and intense drama interspersed perfectly with moments of flippancy. To give an example, in one of the most serious scenes in which Isabella is pleading for her brother's life, Lucio is standing in the background, throwing her encouraging remarks. II.2 line 130 "thou'rt i'th'right girl, more o'that" It is this mix that so marks the play out from pure comedies such as Midsummer Night's Dream in which there is hardly a sombre word, and Hamlet, in which humour scarcely plays. The climax of the play is in the last act in which the balance of levity and gravity is carefully maintained. The last act solves many of the dilemmas brought up in the course of the play, however it does also create some quandaries to which the solutions are left to our

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Analyse Shakespeare's presentation of Angelo in Acts 1 & 2 of Measure for Measure.

Analyse Shakespeare's presentation of Angelo in Acts & 2 of Measure for Measure. In Acts one and two of Measure for Measure Shakespeare presents Angelo in several different ways and in this essay I will be analysing the various ways in which Shakespeare does this. In a play we have to remember that the characters are not real people, but we must think of them as such. We are influenced by their actions, their speech, what others say about a character (in this case what others say about Angelo,) and how others act around a character. Shakespeare uses all of these factors effectively in Measure for Measure. The first time we see Angelo he is summoned before the Duke, and told that he is going to be his deputy whilst he is away, "For you must know, we have with special soul, Elected him our absence to supply." This is a quote where the Duke tells Angelo he is going to take over the responsibility of the City. At first as a reader this gave me the impression that Angelo is well trusted and responsible. This sudden promotion surprises Angelo, he replies with, "Let there be some more test of my metal," In this quote we can see that Angelo isn't totally confident in his own ability, which is why he asks for some more of a test of his skill. As the Dukes' leave comes in to question, the audience starts to question why Angelo has been left in charge and not Escalus

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Discuss Shakespeare's Presentation of Isabella in Act 5 of the Play.

Discuss Shakespeare's Presentation of Isabella in Act 5 of the Play Isabella is one of the most important characters in Measure for Measure, along with Angelo and the Duke. Before Act 5 we have a good idea as to her character, we know that she remains by her principles and is not easily influenced by people, even close family. She wanted the rules at the convent to be stricter, which shows her very apparent free will, and determination to do things right. She has already stood up to Angelo when he propositioned her to sleep with him in return for Claudio's life, and when she relayed this information to Claudio she stood up to even him. All of this shows us just how much Isabella values her morals and religion, she is being extremely intransigent. At the beginning of Act 5 Isabella is to participate in the plan put forth by the Duke, she is not to accuse Angelo and if the Duke acts harshly to her then it is all part of the plan. She is not very pleased at this, in Act 4, Scene 6 she says "To speak so indirectly I am so loth", this basically means that she hates the idea of not accusing Angelo in person. I would say that she play a very major part in the Act, most main characters do in fact, except maybe Claudio who says nothing. She exposes Angelo for the murder, liar and adulterer that he is, and when no one believes her she speaks very passionately about how he broke his

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