Measure for Measure

by William Shakespeare

Overview

"Measure for Measure" is one of William Shakespeare's later plays, . It was likely written in 1603 or 1604 and first published in the First Folio of 1623. The play explores themes of justice, morality, and the balance between law and mercy.


Set in Vienna, the play opens with the Duke, Vincentio, deciding to leave the city temporarily and entrusting the governance to his strict deputy, Angelo. Angelo is known for his rigid sense of justice and enforcement of the law. Upon taking power, Angelo swiftly enforces an old law that condemns fornication, which had previously been neglected, and sentences a man named Claudio to death for getting his fiancée, Juliet, pregnant before marriage.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184585000
Publisher:	William Shakespeare
Publication date:	04/09/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	315 KB

About the Author

Shakespeare’s career as a playwright and poet flourished during the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods, under the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. While the exact dates of his early works are uncertain, it is believed he began his theatrical career in London around 1590. By the time he was in his 30s, he had already gained recognition as a playwright and actor, associated with the acting company known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which later became the King's Men under King James I.

Shakespeare's works were performed in various theaters in London, including the famous Globe Theatre, which was associated with his company. He was not only a playwright but also a shareholder in the Globe, which gave him a significant stake in the financial success of his plays.

Writing Style and Works:
Shakespeare wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and a variety of other poems, covering a broad range of genres. His plays are often divided into tragedies, comedies, and histories:

Tragedies: These include iconic works like Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear, which explore themes of ambition, betrayal, love, and the human condition.

Comedies: Plays like A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, and Much Ado About Nothing blend wit, romance, and misunderstandings to entertain and provoke thought.

Histories: Shakespeare’s historical plays, such as Richard III and Henry V, examine the lives and reigns of English monarchs, blending historical events with dramatization for theatrical effect.

Shakespeare is renowned for his mastery of language, creating vivid characters and universal themes that continue to resonate with audiences today. He had a remarkable ability to explore complex human emotions and situations, from the tragic flaws of characters like Hamlet to the comedic misunderstandings of plays like The Taming of the Shrew. His work also contributed significantly to the development of the English language, with many words and phrases that we still use today, such as “break the ice,” “wild-goose chase,” and “in a pickle.”

Legacy and Influence:
Shakespeare’s influence on literature, theater, and culture is immeasurable. His works have been translated into every major language and performed countless times across the world. The themes he tackled—love, jealousy, betrayal, ambition, mortality, and the complexities of human nature—remain relevant and continue to engage modern audiences.

Date of Death:

2018

Place of Birth:

Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Place of Death:

Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom

Editorial Reviews

"Shakespeare, in his plots and characters, gives us the very shape and texture of life. He neither softens nor exaggerates the human condition, but presents it in its most vivid, unfettered state. His plays do not merely entertain; they are windows into the soul of man."

Source: James, Henry. The Art of Fiction. 1879.

The Art of Fiction. 1879. - N/A