Though it has traditionally been classified as a comedy (along with All’s Well That Ends Well), the seriousness of the subject
matter – the sexual exploitation of women – means that it is anything but. In fact, the classification of Shakespeare’s plays into comedies (happy ending) and tragedies (tragic ending) is somewhat misleading. Perhaps a more accurate classification should be between light-hearted plays and serious plays; for it does not always follow that light-hearted plays have happy endings and vice-versa.
This play is also about the (gross) abuse of
authority. With no checks and balances, the nature of feudal authority was largely dependant upon the character of the feudal lord. The early seventeenth century, when Shakespeare was writing, was an era when the authority and culture of feudalism was declining. It was thus natural for Shakespeare to have questioned the laws and customs – mostly outdated – associated with feudalism without running the risk of challenging the existing political power.
Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeare’s more mature plays. The main characters: the Duke, Angelo (his deputy), Claudio and
Isabella (Claudio’s sister) all have some depth to them; they are not one-dimensional characters with predictable responses and behavior patterns. The strength of the characters is the strength of this play; indeed this is one of the Shakespearean plays where the characters are most robustly drawn. Comic relief is provided by Lucio – who plays the well meaning rogue.
Briefly, the story begins when the Duke decides to go undercover to see how the duchy will be run in his absence (to remain incognito, he dons the clothes of a friar). In his absence, he deputes the lords Angelo and Escalus to stand in his place. Though their respective powers have not been clearly defined, Escalus cedes ground to Angelo throughout the play (either due to old age or weakness) – and is thus unable to restrain him in his folly.
Meanwhile, Juliet bears Claudio’s child out of marriage, and Claudio is condemned to die for this breach of the common law. Though the sentence is considered to be unduly harsh by one and all concerned, no one has the authority to overrule Angelo, who has decided to make a public example of Claudio. Learning of his misfortune, Isabella – Claudio’s sister, who is training to be a nun – pleads for his life with Angelo. After first telling her that he is unwilling to reconsider his decision, Angelo tells Isabella that he will withdraw the sentence of death if she makes loves to him.
Isabella tells her brother that they have no recourse to justice (as no one will believe her) and that he must bravely be prepared to face death rather than she should submit to this dishonor. The Duke, however, gets wind of these developments – and decides to publicly chastise and punish his deputy for gross abuse of authority