Essay about William Shakespeares Measure for Measure

William Shakespeares Measure for Measure The desires of the characters in Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure are not entirely clear, and are made ambivalent and ambiguous by the use of their language. Particularly in 3.1.52-153, when Isabella visits Claudio in prison, ambiguous lines and puns make it unclear whether Isabella desires Claudio’s death and whether he truly desires to be free of sin. These desires were further convoluted by viewing the current Folger Theatre production of the play. Trade (151) is one pun which illuminates ideas about Claudios desires. Taken to mean an exchange, Isabella insinuates that Claudios sin and death are like the title of the play, a measure taken for a measure, or rather a†¦show more content†¦If Claudio is willing to be wed to evil, then he would have no qualms about his sister doing the same, or at the very least fornicating with Angelo for his â€Å"devilish mercy† (63). This possibility is bolstered by Claudio’s shift in tone and possible lack of concern for his sister’s soul when he begs â€Å"Sweet sister, let me live† (134), and attempts to justify the consequences by appealing to her good nature, calling her sin a potential virtue. However, this desire to live also stems from a desire for certainty, which he fears he cannot have in death, expressed in lines 118-132. Much like the ambivalence and ambiguity of other lines in this scene, this passage expresses several simultaneous possibilities for the afterlife. In a somewhat Ovidian fashion, the â€Å"sensible warm motion† morphs paradoxically into places with both â€Å"fiery floods† and â€Å"thick-ribbed ice.† Comparing the uncertainty of death to known suffering in life reaffirms Claudio’s desire to live. Another aspect of desire that is illuminated in this scene is desire as it relates to the relationship between Isabella and Claudio as siblings. Most notably is her comment at line 140 that it may be â€Å"a kind of incest to take life / From thine own sister’s shame.† Incestuous desire opposes Isabella’s desire that Claudio be like their father, whom she seemsShow MoreRelatedShakespeares Monk981 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s Monk If there is one thing that Matthew Lewis’ novel The Monk: A Romance teaches us about writing, it is that William Shakespeare was an amazing creative author. Just about every facet of Lewis story is, at least in some part, borrowed from Shakespeare’s work. The most obvious allusion to Shakespeare in The Monk: A Romance, is the plot line of Lewis’ novel and Shakespeare’s work Measure for Measure. The story of Measure for Measure centers on Lord Angelo, who is given controlRead MoreBiography of William Shakespeare Essay762 Words   |  4 PagesWilliam Shakespeare was born on April 23rd 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died on April 23rd 1616; he was 52 years old when he died and was buried in the Stratford church. His father was John Shakespeare and died in 1601; his mom was Mary Arden and died in 1608. He married to Anne Hathaway the daughter of a farmer. They got three children: Susanna who was born on 1583 and two twins a boy which is Hammet and a girl which is Judith. Susanna was the eldest child and she didn’t have any education, sheRead More Shakespeare And Catholicism Essay1243 Words   |  5 Pages By researching the life and writings of William Shakespeare, it can be shown that many Christian values and beliefs are displayed through his literary works. In order to understand the religious content in Shakespeares work it is helpful to first understand what the religious environment in England was like around Shakespeares time. England, ever since it was ruled by the Romans, had been a Catholic nation. Before Shakespeares lifetime, a drastic change occurred that completely upended the existingRead MoreFrom Where did William Shakespeares Greatness Come?755 Words   |  3 Pagesbut know not what we may be.†~ William Shakespeare. It is not known if Shakespeare had any hand in the publications of his plays, in which he is so well known for. â€Å"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.†~ William Shakespeare. Was he just born great? Did he simply achieve greatness? Did he have it thrust upon him due to the changing times in which he lived? So many questions remain, even though more is known about William Shakespeare than any other personRead More Essay on Religion in the Works of William Shakespeare1720 Words   |  7 Pagesessay is to explore the religious nature of William Shakespe ares plays. This essay covers three topics surrounding Shakespeares work: the religious climate of 16th Century England, Shakespeares upbringing (school, parents, Stratford itself), and a brief introduction into the impact his society and upbringing had upon his work.    I. THE RELIGIOUS CLIMATE OF 16TH CENTURY ENGLAND    In order to understand the religious content in Shakespeares work it is helpful to first understand whatRead More Measure for Measure Essay: The Pontification of Isabella1134 Words   |  5 PagesThe Pontification of Isabella in Measure for Measure   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Within Measure for Measure the character of Isabella is characterized as an innocent pure female, and there is a focus on her ever-present moral dilemma. By using Elizabethan perspectives on women, nuns, and chastity, Shakespeare uses Isabella to reveal character traits and morality of those around her.   However in opposition Isabella made be seen as an individual who pontificates too much when her brother’s life is at stake, it is perhapsRead More Measure for Measure Essay: The Virtuous Vanity of Isabella1495 Words   |  6 PagesThe Virtuous Vanity of Isabella in Measure for Measure      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shakespeares work, Measure for Measure, puts the problem in problem play as it, examines the difference between law and justice, virtue and goodness. Its a case study of abuse of power that has a particularly contemporary resonance.   Isabella is a very intriguing Shakespearean female. She is one of the few intelligent females who are also innocent and holy. Measure for Measure focuses primarily on her moral dilemma. Does sheRead MoreThe Character Elbow in Shakespeares Play, Measure for Measure1513 Words   |  7 PagesThe Character Elbow in Shakespeares Play, Measure for Measure In Act 2, scene 1 of the play Measure for Measure the character Elbow, a representation of the Comedic Constable often depicted in William Shakespeares comedies and traji-comedies, gives the director an unusual creative license in portraying this figure to give the audience a rich theatrical experience. (Evans 427) These characters are most commonly depicted as artless, inadequate, naà ¯ve, and prosaic men who bumble throughRead MoreDeath Is A Fearful Thing1514 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Death is a fearful thing†: Life and Death in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure and Hamlet In William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, one of the main characters, Claudio, makes a statement that truly sums up common opinion: â€Å"Death is a fearful thing† (Measure for Measure, III. i. 115). Fear of death is a common human emotion, but some people seem to fear death more than others. The concept of death itself is present in most of Shakespeare’s plays, but, with his usual keen insight into humanRead More Essay on Justice vs. Morality in Measure for Measure and Merchant of Venice1107 Words   |  5 PagesJustice vs. Morality in Measure for Measure and Merchant of Venice    There are many similarities shared between Shakespeares plays, Measure for Measure, and The Merchant of Venice.   The underlying theme of each work is well defined by the phrase Justice without the temperance of mercy, is power misused.   I will support this claim by drawing upon some of the characters and situations that are consistent in each story. In each story a mans life depends on the interpretation, and