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Measure For Measure As A Problem Play

Measure for Measure raises several moral and social problems that are left unresolved by Shakespeare. The play explores the problems of law versus mercy through the characters of Angelo, who strictly enforces outdated laws, and Isabella, who argues for mercy. It also examines the problems of physical purity and chastity through Angelo's demand of Isabella's virtue in exchange for her brother's life. Forced marriage is another problem, as both Angelo and Lucio are forced to marry without indication of willingness. The Duke's complete forgiveness of Angelo and Lucio's serious offenses also presents a problem around the principles of justice. Overall, Measure for Measure presents multiple unanswered problems, earning it the label of a problem play

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Rejoice Daimari
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2K views

Measure For Measure As A Problem Play

Measure for Measure raises several moral and social problems that are left unresolved by Shakespeare. The play explores the problems of law versus mercy through the characters of Angelo, who strictly enforces outdated laws, and Isabella, who argues for mercy. It also examines the problems of physical purity and chastity through Angelo's demand of Isabella's virtue in exchange for her brother's life. Forced marriage is another problem, as both Angelo and Lucio are forced to marry without indication of willingness. The Duke's complete forgiveness of Angelo and Lucio's serious offenses also presents a problem around the principles of justice. Overall, Measure for Measure presents multiple unanswered problems, earning it the label of a problem play

Uploaded by

Rejoice Daimari
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measure for Measure as a Problem Play

A problem play is concerned with a moral or social problem which is central to it and
presented in such a manner that we become unsure of our moral bearings, so that uncertain
and divided responses to it in our minds are possible and even problem. In a problem play,
the author offers no solution to the problem or problems raised in the play. For example,
Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a problem play in which he has raised the problem of the status of
woman in relation to her husband and her home. He provides no solution to the problem; the
answer is left to the reader.

Measure for Measure is a problem play in a deeper sense. It raises a number of


questions with regard to some problems such in the problem of law versus mercy, the
problem of physical purity, the problem of forced marriage etc. which are unanswered by the
dramatist Shakespeare.

The first problem in Measure for Measure is the problem of law versus mercy.
Angelo, the Deputy of the Duke, stands for the strictest law. He revives certain laws which
have been out of use for quite a long time. He maintains the most serious attitude in the
observance of the laws. In accordance with one such law, Angelo sentences Claudio to death
on the charge of fornication. Claudio admits that he is guilty of having made his beloved
Juliet pregnant without having been able to marry her, but as he explains to Lucio, he did
want to marry the girl and was prevented from doing so only by circumstances over which he
had no control. Almost all the characters want Claudio to be forgiven but Angelo persists in
his judgement and says that the laws should not be treated as a scarecrow but should be
enforced strictly and rigidly.

Against this rigid view of law there is mercy and the need of which is emphasised by
a number of characters, more particularly by Isabella. In her first interview with Angelo she
pleads for mercy to be shown to her brother. But Angelo says that Claudio is a forfeit of the
law and he (Angelo) can do nothing about it. Isabella points out that all the created souls were
forfeit at one time but that they had been saved by the martyrdom of Christ when Angelo
again and again emphasises the necessity of the law, Isabella again and again speaks of the
value of mercy. All the arguments about mercy put forward by Isabella fall that upon Angelo.
Now the problem here is whether law is more important or the claims of mercy have greater
weight the problem is also that if law has anything to do with mercy or not.
Then there is the problem of physical purity. Actually, it is the problem of chastity versus
sisterly, affection and sensuality versus demands of official duty. Before Isabella, Angelo
begins to fall a victim to sensuality and the conflict ends with the victory of sensuality. In the
case of Isabella this conflicts and with the victory of chastity, she tells Claudio about the
intentions of Angelo who demands her chastity as the price of pardoning the life of her
brother. Claudio, who is feeling terrified of death appeals to Isabella to save his life even at
the cost of her chastity. Isabella becomes furious and rebukes Claudio in the most scathing
terms. The problem here is whether Isabella is justified in rebuking Claudio and spurning
Angelo’s offer.

Another problem on the play is that of forced marriage. Angelo is ordered by the Duke to
marry Mariana and the marriage is solemnized under the Duke’s instruction. While Mariana
is glad to be married to Angelo, Angelo has never given any sign by that he has any soft
corner for her. Now the problem arises when it is questioned that if Angelo will be happy as
Mariana’s husband and it he will try to keep Mariana happy this is the crucial question.
Another victim of a forced marriage is Lucio.

We are faced with another problem too. How far is the Duke justified in completely forgiving
both Angelo and Lucio? Forced marriages are the only punishment which these two men
receive; but is this punishment adequate? Critics like Coleridge and Swinburne felt deeply
annoyed because to them the forgiveness of Angelo and Lucio seemed to be an outrage upon
the principles of justice. No doubt, Angelo’s guilt was a serious one. Such a man deserved to
be hanged according to the law the Duke’s forgiveness of Angelo therefore raises another
problem.

Considering above discussion Measure for Measure can be called a problem play in which
several problems are highlighted by the dramatist.

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