Measure for Measure (Folger Shakespeare Library)
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Measure for Measure (Folger Shakespeare Library) Details
Measure 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.
Reviews
Shakespeare's plays all have this uncanny ability to transcend time and place and say something to each generation of readers. This play in particular is especially relevant these days, considering how much there is on the news about sexual harassment and abuse of power. The latter topic is certainly a mainstay of Shakespeare's plays, but rarely does he ever examine the former topic so closely as he does in "Measure for Measure." A certain duke mysteriously leaves his duchy in the hands of an inexperienced cabinet member Angelo, who begins a relentless campaign against violators of decency laws. He closes all brothels, arrests all its patrons and employees and sentences Claudio to death for impregnating a woman out of wedlock. Claudio's only hope of escaping the hangman is his sister Isabella, who is drawn into a predicament of her own when she tries to intercede. Angelo demands that she "lay down the treasures of [her] body" in exchange for her brother's release, a quid-pro-quo that the soon-to-be nun Isabella cannot consider. How will Claudio be saved?"Measure for Measure" has all the hallmarks of a Shakespeare comedy: disguises, dramatic irony, reversal of fortune, fools, double entendres. There is even the appearance of a prostitute! The play also looks into some rather serious issues such as the law and its impact on society. Sometimes those who are least guilty are most affected by the law. Rulers often make themselves above the law and violate it even as they enforce it. As in "Merchant of Venice," characters must work in mysterious ways for justice to be served. And only Shakespeare can serve up justice in a stew of hypocrisy and misplaced blame like this.I have to say that while this is an incredibly rewarding read, the notes are an absolute must, as there are often lines which don't make any sense (because of omissions and the like). The Folgers books have done an amazing job at patching the uneven spots where they occur and offering reasonable interpretations for awkward lines. Of course, such miniscule issues are a small price to pay for reading the author of the finest works in human history.What escapes me is why this play does not have a more prominent place in the canon. Could it be the aforementioned textual gaps? Could it be the all-too-tidy conclusion? Could it be that none of the characters really stands out more than any other? After all, not every play can have a Falstaff or an Iago or a Shylock or Prospero. And not every play can have existentialist soliloquys or supernatural elements like Hamlet or Macbeth. If one is prepared to accept what is "lacking" in "Measure for Measure," one will quickly see that there is still much to find in its place.