Measure for Measure response

You will respond to the production of the play in light of a specific ethical question raised in the script. What you need to pay attention to is how this particular production approaches that question: does it brush right by it, or does it find ways to emphasize it? You might look at things like:

• how much the characters on stage pay attention to a character when they are making an ethical argument
• whether characters act like they respect a certain character, or perhaps make faces behind them
• what the actors choose to emphasize in their speech – do they rush by serious ethical questions and just go for the jokes, or do they emphasize the serious parts of the character
• how do characters behave when they aren't talking

Your paper should be at least 3 pages long with a clear thesis statement and conclusion. In between you should discuss the ethical question you chose and refer to the production of the play as much as possible for your evidence. You may choose a version of one of the questions below, or you may choose another question if it strikes you, as long as you run it by me first.

Questions regarding Measure for Measure you might address in your paper:

Angelo has, in his new power as the Duke's stand-in, decided to enforce an old law that says a man must be execute if he gets an unwed girl pregnant. Claudio and Juliet consider themselves married, but waited too long to make it official. How does the production portray the three characters? Who is it sympathetic to, and how does it show that?

Angelo acknowledges that there may be some on the jury who have committed worse crimes than Claudio, and that others may have committed the same crime unseen (II.i) but does not have sympathy. Claudio has been caught only because Juliet is pregnant, which of course means that she needs Claudio more than she would have otherwise. Do you think this should affect Angelo’s decision? How does the production present this issue? Does it emphasize Claudio's and Juliet's love, or does it emphasize the crime?

Isabel's dilemma is whether she should sleep with Angelo (i.e. commit the same crime with him for which he his punishing her brother) or maintain her chastity and sacrifice his life. She chooses her chastity. What are her reasons, and does the production seem to approve of her choice?

The Duke (disguised as the Friar) and Isabel plot to substitute the wronged, love-sick Mariana for Isabel, thereby duping Angelo. Is this an ethical solution to the problem? Do two wrongs make a right? Does the production present this as a humorous choice, or a serious one?

The Duke spies on his town and his adjutants by disguising himself as a friar, and doesn't reveal himself until the last moment, even allowing Isabel to believe her brother dead. Do his ends justify his means? In other words, does his lying do more good than harm? How is this last scene presented in this production – does it present it all as a comic ending, or is there a serious lesson to be taught, or does it all just leave a bad taste in your mouth? If so, why?

Return to Assignments page