Measure for Measure has been described as a drama of ideas in which several themes can be traced. The theme of authority or power means the control a human being has on others. The larger the power, the greater the number of human beings controlled, the more advantageous it is considered to be. It has almost entirely alluded man that power or authority is a second hand emotion sought by third rate human beings. 

The theme of authority or power is certainly among the leading ideas in the play. This theme is clearly presented in the very opening scene of the play when the Duke delegates his authority to Angelo. The Duke means to say that he is endowing Angelo with the authority to sentence a man to death if a man's crime calls for this punishment, and also with the authority to show mercy to a man if Angelo believes that an accused deserves mercy. In the course of the play, we find the workings of both justice and mercy. 

During the absence of the Duke, Escalus's authority is next only to that of Angelo. Escalus is a merciful and humane judge by nature and temperament. On coming to know that Angelo has sentenced Claudio to death, Escalus pleads on Claudio's behalf and asks Angelo to pardon Claudio's life. A man who is merely tempted to commit a sexual offence of that kind cannot be punished; but he who actually commits that offence must not go scot-free. Angelo admits that all judges are not honest. Claudio is a victim of the authority. He is sentenced to death for making pregnant a girl called Juliet without marriage. So to save her brother Isabella comes to Angelo's house. At that time Angelo's carnal desire is aroused. He tells her that her brother will be pardoned if she surrenders her body to him. Here the authority is proved as a bad personality. 

The Duke also stands for authority. But his authority is of the gentle kind. It leads to a small amount of sin. The Duke hands over the authority of the state to Angelo in order to rectify a wrong. He knows his subjects are leading a life of motiveless pleasure, mainly because he his been too kind. He knows Angelo is austere and learned. He wants the brothel houses to be closed. He wants people to show moderation, especially in sexual habits. He wants the Christian virtue of sex only through marriage to return to Vienna. He takes charge as soon as he realizes that he has made a wrong choice. He reverts to his compassion. He believes sexual promiscuity to be a sin. He pardons men for their sins. However, the Duke deals almost in the same manner with Lucio also. Lucio is a dissolute young man who has been haunting brothels and who has made a girl pregnant after having falsely promised to marry her. Now, Lucio is the one person whom the Duke finds it impossible to forgive. Accordingly, the Duke orders him first to marry the mother of his illegitimate child, and then to be whipped and hanged. 

However, in this case also the Duke forgives Lucio. In this way, William Shakespeare has treated the theme of authority in his Measure for Measure very successful. The theme of authority or power plays a vital role for the development of the action of the play.

Discuss the theme of authority in Measure for Measure?

Green Land | December 30, 2019 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure has been described as a drama of ideas in which several themes can be traced. The theme of authority or power means the control a human being has on others. The larger the power, the greater the number of human beings controlled, the more advantageous it is considered to be. It has almost entirely alluded man that power or authority is a second hand emotion sought by third rate human beings. 

The theme of authority or power is certainly among the leading ideas in the play. This theme is clearly presented in the very opening scene of the play when the Duke delegates his authority to Angelo. The Duke means to say that he is endowing Angelo with the authority to sentence a man to death if a man's crime calls for this punishment, and also with the authority to show mercy to a man if Angelo believes that an accused deserves mercy. In the course of the play, we find the workings of both justice and mercy. 

During the absence of the Duke, Escalus's authority is next only to that of Angelo. Escalus is a merciful and humane judge by nature and temperament. On coming to know that Angelo has sentenced Claudio to death, Escalus pleads on Claudio's behalf and asks Angelo to pardon Claudio's life. A man who is merely tempted to commit a sexual offence of that kind cannot be punished; but he who actually commits that offence must not go scot-free. Angelo admits that all judges are not honest. Claudio is a victim of the authority. He is sentenced to death for making pregnant a girl called Juliet without marriage. So to save her brother Isabella comes to Angelo's house. At that time Angelo's carnal desire is aroused. He tells her that her brother will be pardoned if she surrenders her body to him. Here the authority is proved as a bad personality. 

The Duke also stands for authority. But his authority is of the gentle kind. It leads to a small amount of sin. The Duke hands over the authority of the state to Angelo in order to rectify a wrong. He knows his subjects are leading a life of motiveless pleasure, mainly because he his been too kind. He knows Angelo is austere and learned. He wants the brothel houses to be closed. He wants people to show moderation, especially in sexual habits. He wants the Christian virtue of sex only through marriage to return to Vienna. He takes charge as soon as he realizes that he has made a wrong choice. He reverts to his compassion. He believes sexual promiscuity to be a sin. He pardons men for their sins. However, the Duke deals almost in the same manner with Lucio also. Lucio is a dissolute young man who has been haunting brothels and who has made a girl pregnant after having falsely promised to marry her. Now, Lucio is the one person whom the Duke finds it impossible to forgive. Accordingly, the Duke orders him first to marry the mother of his illegitimate child, and then to be whipped and hanged. 

However, in this case also the Duke forgives Lucio. In this way, William Shakespeare has treated the theme of authority in his Measure for Measure very successful. The theme of authority or power plays a vital role for the development of the action of the play.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure ends with a kind of justice which is meted out to the various offenders in the play. There is a wide diversity of critical opinion with regard to this kind of justice. Some critics feel that the end is not justified. Others support the ending of the play for not exhibiting legal justice. Rather at the end justice is tempered with mercy. At the very beginning of the play, we find that the Duke delivers his authority to Angelo. Angelo is reputed to a man of strong moral character and a stern enforcer of laws . As soon as the Duke left, Angelo begins his work with an iron hand in administrating the country.

Angelo revives certain laws which had long remained unused. He is determined to put an end to all criminal activities. Claudio's offence is formication. So Angelo arrests him and sentences him to be beheaded. On his part, it is a political necessity to put into practice the law regarding general adultery. Isabella is the sister of Claudio. She pleads with Angelo for her brother's life. Being moved to lust Angelo tries to seduce her. But Isabella is a religious-minded woman. She does not want to surrender her body for saving her brother's life.

Claudio begs Isabella to save him even at the cost of her honour. At this critical moment, the Duke intervenes the matter and comes forward to help her. It is Mariana who acts a substitute for Isabella. It is the Duke who controls and manipulates all the characters. None of the characters acts accordingly to their volition, especially at the end of the play. The Duke exposes Angelo's sins and compels him to marry Mariana because he has seduced her. He withdraws the sentence of death against Angelo on the ground that Claudio has not been executed in spite of Angelo's order for his execution. Besides this, the Duke thinks that Angelo has been already punished by having been forced to marry Mariana.

Lucio is also guilty of formication and slenderness. He deserves death according to the law. But the king punishes him by ordering him to marry whom he has seduced. Mistress Overdone and Pompey are put to imprisonment. Bernardine, the reckless drunkard is handed over to Friar Thomas for spiritual care. In Act V, the entire tangle is undone and we go through its universal forgiveness of the odious weakness, and we feel as if justice were of no matter in comparison with ease and peace. It is really in the matter of Angelo, more like a light scot at justice than a display of mercy. It is a postulate of our story that Claudio has committed a capital offence. Angelo has not committed a crime in his union with Mariana, to whom he has been public betrothed. Besides, Isabella is conscious that she herself has been the cause of Angelou's fall.

In estimation, we can say that the play is considered with the difficult of doing justice. The final word of this play is mercy. Isabella urges forgiveness because a Christian must forgive. But justice becomes a wrong when it is carried to an extreme. Because after the close of Measure for Measure, the social state will worsen. Its guilt will be more concealed, but it will not be less, but more. The Duke's punishment and again withdrawal of it does not solve the problem. Thus the problems in the play are of such kind that no natural solution is possible for them. The conclusion of the play does not adequately resolve the complex moral issues. Rather the play presents due to unsatisfactory ending.

Is the ending of Measure for Measure morally, psychologically and dramatically satisfactory?

Green Land | December 30, 2019 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure ends with a kind of justice which is meted out to the various offenders in the play. There is a wide diversity of critical opinion with regard to this kind of justice. Some critics feel that the end is not justified. Others support the ending of the play for not exhibiting legal justice. Rather at the end justice is tempered with mercy. At the very beginning of the play, we find that the Duke delivers his authority to Angelo. Angelo is reputed to a man of strong moral character and a stern enforcer of laws . As soon as the Duke left, Angelo begins his work with an iron hand in administrating the country.

Angelo revives certain laws which had long remained unused. He is determined to put an end to all criminal activities. Claudio's offence is formication. So Angelo arrests him and sentences him to be beheaded. On his part, it is a political necessity to put into practice the law regarding general adultery. Isabella is the sister of Claudio. She pleads with Angelo for her brother's life. Being moved to lust Angelo tries to seduce her. But Isabella is a religious-minded woman. She does not want to surrender her body for saving her brother's life.

Claudio begs Isabella to save him even at the cost of her honour. At this critical moment, the Duke intervenes the matter and comes forward to help her. It is Mariana who acts a substitute for Isabella. It is the Duke who controls and manipulates all the characters. None of the characters acts accordingly to their volition, especially at the end of the play. The Duke exposes Angelo's sins and compels him to marry Mariana because he has seduced her. He withdraws the sentence of death against Angelo on the ground that Claudio has not been executed in spite of Angelo's order for his execution. Besides this, the Duke thinks that Angelo has been already punished by having been forced to marry Mariana.

Lucio is also guilty of formication and slenderness. He deserves death according to the law. But the king punishes him by ordering him to marry whom he has seduced. Mistress Overdone and Pompey are put to imprisonment. Bernardine, the reckless drunkard is handed over to Friar Thomas for spiritual care. In Act V, the entire tangle is undone and we go through its universal forgiveness of the odious weakness, and we feel as if justice were of no matter in comparison with ease and peace. It is really in the matter of Angelo, more like a light scot at justice than a display of mercy. It is a postulate of our story that Claudio has committed a capital offence. Angelo has not committed a crime in his union with Mariana, to whom he has been public betrothed. Besides, Isabella is conscious that she herself has been the cause of Angelou's fall.

In estimation, we can say that the play is considered with the difficult of doing justice. The final word of this play is mercy. Isabella urges forgiveness because a Christian must forgive. But justice becomes a wrong when it is carried to an extreme. Because after the close of Measure for Measure, the social state will worsen. Its guilt will be more concealed, but it will not be less, but more. The Duke's punishment and again withdrawal of it does not solve the problem. Thus the problems in the play are of such kind that no natural solution is possible for them. The conclusion of the play does not adequately resolve the complex moral issues. Rather the play presents due to unsatisfactory ending.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure is a dark comedy of William Shakespeare which is enriched with its characters and Isabella is one of the three most important characters in the play. She is indispensable to the main action of the play. She plays a vital role in the development of the plot of the novel. Her character is very important. Her position of 'absolute chastity' is untenable. She is the Heroine and the Main Spring of Action in the Play. She possesses some remarkable characteristics like chastity, practical conduct, saintly grace, intelligence and so on. Now we will comment on the character and role of Isabella. Isabella is the sister of Claudio who is charged with adultery. He has lived with a girl by the name of Juliet without having married her and made her pregnant. That is why; Angelo sentences him to death. So to save her brother, she comes to Angelo. Angelo has already felt a sensual attraction towards Isabella. However, he asks her what she will do for him for her brother's life. He asks if she will surrender her body to him or not. Isabella answers that even she is ready to receive her own death sentence; she will not yield her chastity. Saintliness is the main characteristic of Isabella's character. Saintliness means moral perfection or perfect chastity besides such qualities as kind-heartedness, compassion, mercy, and a spirit of service. The saintliness of Isabella's character is clearly seen in her decision to renounce a secular life and to enter a convent as a nun. She is an embodiment of conscience. Her saintliness is not of the passive, timid, or merely meditative kind, but an active pursuit of holiness through exercise and discipline. Her severity is only a part of the vital energy of her heart. Living actively she must live purely. She has enough strength to endure physical suffering, but she would not endure dishonor. Isabella is severing in youth beauty and with her saintly grace and moral grandeur. She inspires a reverence even in a degenerated person like Lucio. Isabella is on the point of taking the veil of earthly renouncement, when we meet her first at the convent. She is one of a consecrated sisterhood of St. Clare. However, Isabella is wise, gracious, virtuous fair and young. She has exalted principal and firmness of character. She possesses a depth of reflection and persuasive eloquence, self-denying generosity and capability of strong affections. In this respect, Mrs. Jameson says, "Of all the characters, Isabella alone has our sympathy." Isabella is an incarnation of goodness. Her participation in the bed-trick is an important ingredient in the main plot of the play. Her role is really remarkable in this play. She becomes a real saint.

Comment on the character and role of Isabella in Measure for Measure?

Green Land | December 29, 2019 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure is a dark comedy of William Shakespeare which is enriched with its characters and Isabella is one of the three most important characters in the play. She is indispensable to the main action of the play. She plays a vital role in the development of the plot of the novel. Her character is very important. Her position of 'absolute chastity' is untenable. She is the Heroine and the Main Spring of Action in the Play. She possesses some remarkable characteristics like chastity, practical conduct, saintly grace, intelligence and so on. Now we will comment on the character and role of Isabella. Isabella is the sister of Claudio who is charged with adultery. He has lived with a girl by the name of Juliet without having married her and made her pregnant. That is why; Angelo sentences him to death. So to save her brother, she comes to Angelo. Angelo has already felt a sensual attraction towards Isabella. However, he asks her what she will do for him for her brother's life. He asks if she will surrender her body to him or not. Isabella answers that even she is ready to receive her own death sentence; she will not yield her chastity. Saintliness is the main characteristic of Isabella's character. Saintliness means moral perfection or perfect chastity besides such qualities as kind-heartedness, compassion, mercy, and a spirit of service. The saintliness of Isabella's character is clearly seen in her decision to renounce a secular life and to enter a convent as a nun. She is an embodiment of conscience. Her saintliness is not of the passive, timid, or merely meditative kind, but an active pursuit of holiness through exercise and discipline. Her severity is only a part of the vital energy of her heart. Living actively she must live purely. She has enough strength to endure physical suffering, but she would not endure dishonor. Isabella is severing in youth beauty and with her saintly grace and moral grandeur. She inspires a reverence even in a degenerated person like Lucio. Isabella is on the point of taking the veil of earthly renouncement, when we meet her first at the convent. She is one of a consecrated sisterhood of St. Clare. However, Isabella is wise, gracious, virtuous fair and young. She has exalted principal and firmness of character. She possesses a depth of reflection and persuasive eloquence, self-denying generosity and capability of strong affections. In this respect, Mrs. Jameson says, "Of all the characters, Isabella alone has our sympathy." Isabella is an incarnation of goodness. Her participation in the bed-trick is an important ingredient in the main plot of the play. Her role is really remarkable in this play. She becomes a real saint.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure has been described as a drama of ideas. Several themes can be traced in it. The theme of justice and mercy is certainly among the leading ideas in the play. This theme is clearly presented in the very opening scene of the play. Here we find that the Duke delegates his authority to Angelo. He reminds him--

 "Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue, and heart."

In this respect, he means to say that he is endowing Angelo with the authority to sentence a man to death if his crime calls for this punishment. He has also the authority to show mercy to a man if Angelo believes that an accused deserves mercy. Therefore, we find the workings of both justice and mercy in the play. Angelo's sentence of death against Claudio is an act of justice. Angelo is reputed to be particularly free from carnal desires. He is regarded as a Puritan and as a man who observes very strict standards of conduct. As soon as the Duke has left, Angelo begins his work of administering the country with an iron hand. He proclaims that all the brothels in the suburbs of Vienna would be dismantled and that prostitution in the suburbs would be banned with immediate effect. But Angelo is determined to put a stop to all criminal activities. Here strict justice of Angelo is obvious. Claudio has been found guilty of fornication. He had been living with a girl called Juliet without having married her. Of course, Claudio had a strong reason for not having married the girl. But Juliet becomes pregnant by Claudio. According to the law, Claudio will bear the penalty of death. Now, Angelo wants to give the death sentence to Claudio. He does not show any mercy to Claudio. On the other hand, Escalus is a merciful and humane judge by nature and temperament. On coming to know that Angelo has sentenced Claudio to death, Escalus pleads on Claudio's behalf and asks Angelo to pardon Claudio's life. Then comes Isabella's intervention in the case. Her first interview with Angelo has been described as a contention of justice and mercy. Angelo represents the demands of Justice, while Isabelle represents the desirability and the need for mercy. The Duke's conduct throughout the play shows the compassion which is inherent in him. Mercy dominates his nature. The Duke's judgments in Act-V are characterized more by mercy than by a strict regard for justice. The Duke deals almost in the same manner with Lucio also. Lucio is a dissolute young man who has been haunting brothels and who has made a girl pregnant after having falsely promised to marry her. Now, Lucio is the one person whom the Duke finds impossible to forgive. Accordingly, the Duke orders him first to marry the mother of his illegitimate child, and then to be whipped and hanged. However, in this case, also the Duke forgives Lucio. Thus at the end of the play, we find that justice is not only tempered with mercy but is considerably diluted by mercy. We can even say that the play shows the triumph of mercy over justice. Mercy undoubtedly has an important role in determining the fate of the various characters in Measure for Measure. Here there are scenes in which justice predominates, and there are scenes in which mercy predominates. In the end, mercy has proved to be the predominating force.

Discuss the theme of Justice and mercy in Measure for Measure?

Green Land | December 29, 2019 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure has been described as a drama of ideas. Several themes can be traced in it. The theme of justice and mercy is certainly among the leading ideas in the play. This theme is clearly presented in the very opening scene of the play. Here we find that the Duke delegates his authority to Angelo. He reminds him--

 "Mortality and mercy in Vienna Live in thy tongue, and heart."

In this respect, he means to say that he is endowing Angelo with the authority to sentence a man to death if his crime calls for this punishment. He has also the authority to show mercy to a man if Angelo believes that an accused deserves mercy. Therefore, we find the workings of both justice and mercy in the play. Angelo's sentence of death against Claudio is an act of justice. Angelo is reputed to be particularly free from carnal desires. He is regarded as a Puritan and as a man who observes very strict standards of conduct. As soon as the Duke has left, Angelo begins his work of administering the country with an iron hand. He proclaims that all the brothels in the suburbs of Vienna would be dismantled and that prostitution in the suburbs would be banned with immediate effect. But Angelo is determined to put a stop to all criminal activities. Here strict justice of Angelo is obvious. Claudio has been found guilty of fornication. He had been living with a girl called Juliet without having married her. Of course, Claudio had a strong reason for not having married the girl. But Juliet becomes pregnant by Claudio. According to the law, Claudio will bear the penalty of death. Now, Angelo wants to give the death sentence to Claudio. He does not show any mercy to Claudio. On the other hand, Escalus is a merciful and humane judge by nature and temperament. On coming to know that Angelo has sentenced Claudio to death, Escalus pleads on Claudio's behalf and asks Angelo to pardon Claudio's life. Then comes Isabella's intervention in the case. Her first interview with Angelo has been described as a contention of justice and mercy. Angelo represents the demands of Justice, while Isabelle represents the desirability and the need for mercy. The Duke's conduct throughout the play shows the compassion which is inherent in him. Mercy dominates his nature. The Duke's judgments in Act-V are characterized more by mercy than by a strict regard for justice. The Duke deals almost in the same manner with Lucio also. Lucio is a dissolute young man who has been haunting brothels and who has made a girl pregnant after having falsely promised to marry her. Now, Lucio is the one person whom the Duke finds impossible to forgive. Accordingly, the Duke orders him first to marry the mother of his illegitimate child, and then to be whipped and hanged. However, in this case, also the Duke forgives Lucio. Thus at the end of the play, we find that justice is not only tempered with mercy but is considerably diluted by mercy. We can even say that the play shows the triumph of mercy over justice. Mercy undoubtedly has an important role in determining the fate of the various characters in Measure for Measure. Here there are scenes in which justice predominates, and there are scenes in which mercy predominates. In the end, mercy has proved to be the predominating force.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

A good title of a play depicts the theme of the play. It must also be such that it attracts attention. The title of the Measure for Measure is very apt. It is also highly significant. It stresses the main theme of the play. Here we find that the Duke uses the word, "Measure" in the sense "to judge". And the title Measure for Measure indicates some wild kinds of justice. It is obvious that Shakespeare while giving his play this title had in mind the sermon in the Mount quoted in the New Testament, " With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." The play also incorporates in spirit and in word one other famous saying in the Old Testament about being merciful to everyone around us, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful".

The title of the play, Measure for Measure itself can be interpreted in two different ways. It could be interpreted negatively in terms of justice. When the Duke demands - an Angelo for a Claudio, the first thought that comes to our mind is that the Duke wishes to punish Angelo exactly to the extent that Angelo would have tried to punish Claudio. Both commit premarital sex. But soon after he has uttered these words, and once Angelo has accepted his guilt, the Duke forgives Angelo not only for his sexual misdeeds, but for his two other main crimes, misuse of power, and extreme cruelty towards his subjects. Once the Duke calls for moderation and mercy, the Aristotelian meaning of the title becomes obvious.

Then the term, " Measure " must mean a combination of mercy, forgiveness and moderation. The problem with the play is that it has many ambiguous and loses threads. The punishment against premarital sex is very clear. It is clear that the Duke considers premarital sex as sinful. In the end of the play everyone is forgiven with a lot of compassion. In this sense we must expect the title to mean "Forgiveness for Forgiveness". Shakespeare wishes to interpret forgiveness to mean that it must be given to the worst of criminals. That is the reason why even someone as horrible as Barnardine is forgiven in the play. The Bible asks him to forgive and he will reach out to forgive by superimposing his own will.

The play is undoubtedly about judging from the beginning to the end. This judgment may be actually uttered through words or it may be revealed through action. Sometimes it also takes the shape of silence. Angelo judges Claudio, Claudio judges Isabella, Isabella judges Angelo, Lucio judges the Duke; even Abhorson judges Pompey. Barnardine judges human life with his gloomy philosophy. But the worst of all is the Duke. He thinks that his sole job in the governance of his state is judging all and sundry.

Thus Shakespeare attempts to achieve the kind of justice that can only be possible through compassion and true understanding of what the characters of the play demand. The Duke arrives at the solution that only a combination of forgiveness and mercy can provide joy. The Christian believe that men are all sinners by birth, and have come to this world to do penance for the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. Measure for Measure is about forgiveness of these crimes. So the title of the play is justified.

Comment on the significance of the title of the play, Measure for Measure.

Green Land | December 29, 2019 | 0 comments

A good title of a play depicts the theme of the play. It must also be such that it attracts attention. The title of the Measure for Measure is very apt. It is also highly significant. It stresses the main theme of the play. Here we find that the Duke uses the word, "Measure" in the sense "to judge". And the title Measure for Measure indicates some wild kinds of justice. It is obvious that Shakespeare while giving his play this title had in mind the sermon in the Mount quoted in the New Testament, " With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." The play also incorporates in spirit and in word one other famous saying in the Old Testament about being merciful to everyone around us, "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful".

The title of the play, Measure for Measure itself can be interpreted in two different ways. It could be interpreted negatively in terms of justice. When the Duke demands - an Angelo for a Claudio, the first thought that comes to our mind is that the Duke wishes to punish Angelo exactly to the extent that Angelo would have tried to punish Claudio. Both commit premarital sex. But soon after he has uttered these words, and once Angelo has accepted his guilt, the Duke forgives Angelo not only for his sexual misdeeds, but for his two other main crimes, misuse of power, and extreme cruelty towards his subjects. Once the Duke calls for moderation and mercy, the Aristotelian meaning of the title becomes obvious.

Then the term, " Measure " must mean a combination of mercy, forgiveness and moderation. The problem with the play is that it has many ambiguous and loses threads. The punishment against premarital sex is very clear. It is clear that the Duke considers premarital sex as sinful. In the end of the play everyone is forgiven with a lot of compassion. In this sense we must expect the title to mean "Forgiveness for Forgiveness". Shakespeare wishes to interpret forgiveness to mean that it must be given to the worst of criminals. That is the reason why even someone as horrible as Barnardine is forgiven in the play. The Bible asks him to forgive and he will reach out to forgive by superimposing his own will.

The play is undoubtedly about judging from the beginning to the end. This judgment may be actually uttered through words or it may be revealed through action. Sometimes it also takes the shape of silence. Angelo judges Claudio, Claudio judges Isabella, Isabella judges Angelo, Lucio judges the Duke; even Abhorson judges Pompey. Barnardine judges human life with his gloomy philosophy. But the worst of all is the Duke. He thinks that his sole job in the governance of his state is judging all and sundry.

Thus Shakespeare attempts to achieve the kind of justice that can only be possible through compassion and true understanding of what the characters of the play demand. The Duke arrives at the solution that only a combination of forgiveness and mercy can provide joy. The Christian believe that men are all sinners by birth, and have come to this world to do penance for the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. Measure for Measure is about forgiveness of these crimes. So the title of the play is justified.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

The play which deals with a particular social or moral problem is called a problem play.Measure for measure as a problem play one of them. In other words, a problem play is a kind of play in which some questions are raised but no specific solution is given. Measure for Measure is regarded as a problem play. Many confusing questions are raised here but no satisfactory answers are given to them. So the play is called a problem play. Now let us try to evaluate it as a problem play.

Measure for Measure has rightly been described as a problem play. This play raises several questions to which Shakespeare has supplied no answers. In fact, it has to be kept in mind that the author of a problem play does not set out to provide any solutions to the problems which he raises in his play. Shakespeare provides no answers to the several questions with which we find ourselves faced while going through the play. There is the problem of law versus mercy. Then there are other questions which trouble us. How important is physical purity? Should, or should not the sister surrender her chastity to save the life of her brother? What should be our attitude towards forced marriages?

As the Duke's deputy, Angelo revives certain laws which had been neglected by the Duke himself and which had therefore remained in disuse for several years. Of course, there can be no objection at all to the revival of laws, because laws are essential to regulate social life. in accordance with one such law. Angelo sentences Claudio to death on a charge of fornication. Now, the  question that arises is how far Angelo is justified in passing this sentence of death. Claudio admits that he is guilty of having made his beloved Juliet pregnant without having been able to many her. He explains to Lucio that he wanted to marry her but he did not do that only by circumstances.

During her first interview with Angelo, Isabella pleads for mercy to be shown to her brother. Isabella says that mercy becomes a man in authority more than any symbol of the office which he holds. Now the problem here is whether Angelo is right or Isabella is right, whether the demands of the law are stronger or the claims of mercy have more weight. Different readers will give different answers to this question. During the second meeting between Angelo and Isabella, Angelo frankly tells Isabella that if she surrenders her body to him then he can pardon her brother. Now there is a conflict between sensuality and the demands of official duty in the case of Angelo. Thus the problem before us now is whether Isabella is justified to save her brother's life in exchanging her chastity or not.

However, Angelo is ordered by the Duke to marry Mariana. The marriage is immediately solemnized under the Duke's instructions. Now, the question that arises is whether it is possible to defend this kind of marriage. will Angelo be happy as Mariana's husband, and will he try to keep Mariana happy? This is a crucial question. Another victim of a forced marriage is Lucio. Lucio is also ordered by the Duketo marry the whore whom he had made pregnant and who had even given birth to a child by him. In this way, almost all the elements of a problem play are present in the play. So Measure for Measure can be considered as a problem play.

Discuss Measure for Measure as a problem play

Literaturemini | August 03, 2018 | 0 comments

The play which deals with a particular social or moral problem is called a problem play.Measure for measure as a problem play one of them. In other words, a problem play is a kind of play in which some questions are raised but no specific solution is given. Measure for Measure is regarded as a problem play. Many confusing questions are raised here but no satisfactory answers are given to them. So the play is called a problem play. Now let us try to evaluate it as a problem play.

Measure for Measure has rightly been described as a problem play. This play raises several questions to which Shakespeare has supplied no answers. In fact, it has to be kept in mind that the author of a problem play does not set out to provide any solutions to the problems which he raises in his play. Shakespeare provides no answers to the several questions with which we find ourselves faced while going through the play. There is the problem of law versus mercy. Then there are other questions which trouble us. How important is physical purity? Should, or should not the sister surrender her chastity to save the life of her brother? What should be our attitude towards forced marriages?

As the Duke's deputy, Angelo revives certain laws which had been neglected by the Duke himself and which had therefore remained in disuse for several years. Of course, there can be no objection at all to the revival of laws, because laws are essential to regulate social life. in accordance with one such law. Angelo sentences Claudio to death on a charge of fornication. Now, the  question that arises is how far Angelo is justified in passing this sentence of death. Claudio admits that he is guilty of having made his beloved Juliet pregnant without having been able to many her. He explains to Lucio that he wanted to marry her but he did not do that only by circumstances.

During her first interview with Angelo, Isabella pleads for mercy to be shown to her brother. Isabella says that mercy becomes a man in authority more than any symbol of the office which he holds. Now the problem here is whether Angelo is right or Isabella is right, whether the demands of the law are stronger or the claims of mercy have more weight. Different readers will give different answers to this question. During the second meeting between Angelo and Isabella, Angelo frankly tells Isabella that if she surrenders her body to him then he can pardon her brother. Now there is a conflict between sensuality and the demands of official duty in the case of Angelo. Thus the problem before us now is whether Isabella is justified to save her brother's life in exchanging her chastity or not.

However, Angelo is ordered by the Duke to marry Mariana. The marriage is immediately solemnized under the Duke's instructions. Now, the question that arises is whether it is possible to defend this kind of marriage. will Angelo be happy as Mariana's husband, and will he try to keep Mariana happy? This is a crucial question. Another victim of a forced marriage is Lucio. Lucio is also ordered by the Duketo marry the whore whom he had made pregnant and who had even given birth to a child by him. In this way, almost all the elements of a problem play are present in the play. So Measure for Measure can be considered as a problem play.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare presents the picture of rotten and immoral society where the women are deprived of their place and rights. Their status is not so bright rather colourless. They are tortured and violated. They are considered nothing but commodity. Juliet, Mariana, Mistress Overdone, and Isabella are the women characters who do not get proper place and status in the society. Now let us try to comment on the status of women in the world of the play.

Claudio had a love relationship with Juliet. He wanted to marry her. But her relatives were unwilling to give her dowry. Claudio is a greedy man. So he rejects Juliet. He offers Juliet that if she does not mind she can live with him as husband and wife. Juliet is is a simple girl. She agrees to live with him. As a result, Juliet becomes pregnant. If there is no dowry system in the society, Claudio and Juliet can become real husband and wife

Mariana is another woman character in the play who is also deprived of social place and status. She is a victim of dowry system. She is the sister of a great soldier Frederick. She is engaged to Angelo. If her brother was not died in shipwrecked, she would marry Angelo. Frederick was carrying the total dowry of Mariana. At the time of carrying  Mariana's dowry,the ship was wrecked and all the dowry was lost. So as a greedy man Angelo breaks off his engagement to Mariana. Here we find that there is no social  status of the woman in the society.

Mistress Overdone is another woman character in the play who is also deprided of social place and status. Under the pressure of poverty, she is compelled to lead an immoral life as a prostitute.If she had enough to lead her life, she would get her status in the society Now she is neglected in the society. She leads a life of a commodity. She sells her body by the money

Isabella is an important woman character who is also deprived of social place and status. Her brother Claudio is sentenced to death. So to save her brother's life, she goes to Angelo. But Angelo wants to seduce her to pardon her brother. Here we see that there is no scope of social place and status in the society of Vienna. 

To sum up, we can say that the women characters in this play are backwarded. By presenting various kinds of women characters- Juliet, Mariana, Mistress Overdone and Isabella-the true picture of the status and place of women are depicted in the play, Measure for Measure.

Discuss the female Characters in Measure for Measure

Literaturemini | August 03, 2018 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare presents the picture of rotten and immoral society where the women are deprived of their place and rights. Their status is not so bright rather colourless. They are tortured and violated. They are considered nothing but commodity. Juliet, Mariana, Mistress Overdone, and Isabella are the women characters who do not get proper place and status in the society. Now let us try to comment on the status of women in the world of the play.

Claudio had a love relationship with Juliet. He wanted to marry her. But her relatives were unwilling to give her dowry. Claudio is a greedy man. So he rejects Juliet. He offers Juliet that if she does not mind she can live with him as husband and wife. Juliet is is a simple girl. She agrees to live with him. As a result, Juliet becomes pregnant. If there is no dowry system in the society, Claudio and Juliet can become real husband and wife

Mariana is another woman character in the play who is also deprived of social place and status. She is a victim of dowry system. She is the sister of a great soldier Frederick. She is engaged to Angelo. If her brother was not died in shipwrecked, she would marry Angelo. Frederick was carrying the total dowry of Mariana. At the time of carrying  Mariana's dowry,the ship was wrecked and all the dowry was lost. So as a greedy man Angelo breaks off his engagement to Mariana. Here we find that there is no social  status of the woman in the society.

Mistress Overdone is another woman character in the play who is also deprided of social place and status. Under the pressure of poverty, she is compelled to lead an immoral life as a prostitute.If she had enough to lead her life, she would get her status in the society Now she is neglected in the society. She leads a life of a commodity. She sells her body by the money

Isabella is an important woman character who is also deprived of social place and status. Her brother Claudio is sentenced to death. So to save her brother's life, she goes to Angelo. But Angelo wants to seduce her to pardon her brother. Here we see that there is no scope of social place and status in the society of Vienna. 

To sum up, we can say that the women characters in this play are backwarded. By presenting various kinds of women characters- Juliet, Mariana, Mistress Overdone and Isabella-the true picture of the status and place of women are depicted in the play, Measure for Measure.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

The Elizabethan stage was full of variety and suffered many problems. The want of actresses is one of them. So its effects were great in writing dramas. As a result, the dramatists had to take different techniques. They had much to depend on the actors. The art of acting was brought to high pitch of perfection. There were no actresses on the Shakespearean stage. So women's part was taken up by boys and youngmen. They were specially trained for the purpose. We generally see that female characters in the plays of Shakespeare use disguise of men. But the playwright has used disguise in his dark comedy. Measure for Measure for the different purpose. He has displayed great skill in the technique of the use of disguise. He is a master-craftsman. We find his mastery over this technique in the play. Here the Duke and Mariana assume disguise. Their disguise affects all other characters in the play profusely.

Vincentio is the Duke of Vienna. He is the protagonist in the play Measure for Measure. He wants to bring about a change in his country but he is falied because he himself is not strong enough to fight against crimes and vices. He is afraid of asserting his authority after having allowed the laws to remain in disuse for several years. He explains to Friar Thomas the reasons why he is renouncing his authority temporarily. He gives the charge of the country to Angelo. For his patience and powerlessness in administering the country, the Duke had not enforced some laws. As a result, the citizens of the country were irresponsible and began to do all restricted activities.

The Duke believes that it is Angelo who will able to prove himself as a strict administrator and to enforce the law for controlling the restricted activities.To observe how Angelo administers the country and what kind of improvement Angelo can bring about in the moral life of society, the Duke disguises himself The Duke sees Abgelo's workings in disguise.

Mariana is another woman character in the play who also disguises herself to Angelo. She is a victim of dowry system. She is the sister of a great soldier Frederick. She is engaged to Angelo. If her brother was not in shipwrecked, she would marry Angelo. Frederick was carrying the total dowry of Mariana. At the time of carrying Mariana's dowry, the ship was wrecked and all the dowry was lost. So as a greedy man Angelo breaks off his engagement to Mariana. However, later at the suggestion of the Duke Isabella reveals the Duke's plan to Mariana who disguises as Isabella and goes to Angelo to satisfy his lust, giving him the impression that she is Isabella whom she wanted to seduce.

However, Angelo was once engaged to Mariana. So the woman should have no hesitation in surrendering her virginity to him. By this means, she might soon afterwards ger married to him. This is how the Duke justifies his plan taking disguise. Thus the use of disguise has a dramatic significance in the play, Measure for Measure

Bring out the dramatic significance of disguise in Measure for measure

Literaturemini | August 03, 2018 | 0 comments

The Elizabethan stage was full of variety and suffered many problems. The want of actresses is one of them. So its effects were great in writing dramas. As a result, the dramatists had to take different techniques. They had much to depend on the actors. The art of acting was brought to high pitch of perfection. There were no actresses on the Shakespearean stage. So women's part was taken up by boys and youngmen. They were specially trained for the purpose. We generally see that female characters in the plays of Shakespeare use disguise of men. But the playwright has used disguise in his dark comedy. Measure for Measure for the different purpose. He has displayed great skill in the technique of the use of disguise. He is a master-craftsman. We find his mastery over this technique in the play. Here the Duke and Mariana assume disguise. Their disguise affects all other characters in the play profusely.

Vincentio is the Duke of Vienna. He is the protagonist in the play Measure for Measure. He wants to bring about a change in his country but he is falied because he himself is not strong enough to fight against crimes and vices. He is afraid of asserting his authority after having allowed the laws to remain in disuse for several years. He explains to Friar Thomas the reasons why he is renouncing his authority temporarily. He gives the charge of the country to Angelo. For his patience and powerlessness in administering the country, the Duke had not enforced some laws. As a result, the citizens of the country were irresponsible and began to do all restricted activities.

The Duke believes that it is Angelo who will able to prove himself as a strict administrator and to enforce the law for controlling the restricted activities.To observe how Angelo administers the country and what kind of improvement Angelo can bring about in the moral life of society, the Duke disguises himself The Duke sees Abgelo's workings in disguise.

Mariana is another woman character in the play who also disguises herself to Angelo. She is a victim of dowry system. She is the sister of a great soldier Frederick. She is engaged to Angelo. If her brother was not in shipwrecked, she would marry Angelo. Frederick was carrying the total dowry of Mariana. At the time of carrying Mariana's dowry, the ship was wrecked and all the dowry was lost. So as a greedy man Angelo breaks off his engagement to Mariana. However, later at the suggestion of the Duke Isabella reveals the Duke's plan to Mariana who disguises as Isabella and goes to Angelo to satisfy his lust, giving him the impression that she is Isabella whom she wanted to seduce.

However, Angelo was once engaged to Mariana. So the woman should have no hesitation in surrendering her virginity to him. By this means, she might soon afterwards ger married to him. This is how the Duke justifies his plan taking disguise. Thus the use of disguise has a dramatic significance in the play, Measure for Measure

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure is a Dark Comedy of William Shakespeare. It is enriched with different characters. Angelo is one of the most important characters in the play. We form a most favourable view about Angelo from the opening scene. Firstly,the Duke chooses him as his deputy. Secondly, Escalus expresses a high opinion about Angelo. In fact, the Duke selects Angelo as his deputy to govern the country during his absence. At fist, Angelo is a strict ruller. He starts governing the country very strictly. He does not show any laxity in enforcing the laws. At last, he proves to be lecherous and villainous.

Escalus believes that Angelo is eminently fitted to govern the country during the absence of Vincentio. Angelo possesses virtues as the Duke thinks. His personality and behaviour indicate what kind of man he is and what might be his past record. The Duke says in this regard--

"Angelo: There is a kind of character in thy life That to th' observer doth thy historyFully unfold."

In fact, Angelo has revived even those laws which were intended to maintain decent standards of conduct and behavior in the country. He has raised some of them that had been in disuse for many years. He has issued a proclamation that all the brothels in the city must be dismantled. Disgraceful practices as prostitution and pimping must be totally stopped.

Angelo has received a certain law which had become almost a dead letter. He has condemned Claudio to death in accordance with that law. Claudio says that Angelo is behaving like a tyrant and a dictator. In sentencing Claudio to death for a sexual offence, Angelo does seem to have gone to an extreme. He has really a reputation for being a cold-hearted man having no weakness for women. He was not made by a man and a woman in the ordinary way in which human beings are begotten. He was spawned or conceived by a sea-maid. He was begotten by the mating of two different kinds of fish whose progeny is devoid of all sexual desire.

Isabella comes to Angelo to appeal to save the life of her brother, Caudio. At first, Angelo shows his strictness and seriousness in implementing laws. Then he starts deviating from his stand for the extreme beauty of Isabella. He forgets what he has already done with Mariana. He proposes to have sex with Isabella. He says if she surrends her body, he will spare her brother from death sentence. So has to face the serious charges brought against him by Isabella. Mariana has also brought a similar charge against him. During Isabella's recital of her accusations against him, Angelo remains calm and unperturbed. There is no need for him to defend himself against her charges because the Duke himself here plays the role of his defence counsel.

At last, we see that the Duke now has to punish Angelo.Angelo is first directed to get married to Mariana whom he had betrayed by having broken off his engagement with her several years ago. Immediately after, he had got married to Mariana. Then the Duke announces a sentence of death against Angelo. The charge against Angelo is that he had ordered the execution of Claudio who was guilty of the same crime which Angelo himself had soon afterwards committed. If Claudio deserves death, so does Angelo. This is measure for measure. Thus it is proved that Angelo is a smiling villain in Measure for Measure. Shakespeare has portrayed Angelo very vividly for playing his vital role.

Critically analyse the character of Angelo in Measure for Measure

Literaturemini | August 03, 2018 | 0 comments

Measure for Measure is a Dark Comedy of William Shakespeare. It is enriched with different characters. Angelo is one of the most important characters in the play. We form a most favourable view about Angelo from the opening scene. Firstly,the Duke chooses him as his deputy. Secondly, Escalus expresses a high opinion about Angelo. In fact, the Duke selects Angelo as his deputy to govern the country during his absence. At fist, Angelo is a strict ruller. He starts governing the country very strictly. He does not show any laxity in enforcing the laws. At last, he proves to be lecherous and villainous.

Escalus believes that Angelo is eminently fitted to govern the country during the absence of Vincentio. Angelo possesses virtues as the Duke thinks. His personality and behaviour indicate what kind of man he is and what might be his past record. The Duke says in this regard--

"Angelo: There is a kind of character in thy life That to th' observer doth thy historyFully unfold."

In fact, Angelo has revived even those laws which were intended to maintain decent standards of conduct and behavior in the country. He has raised some of them that had been in disuse for many years. He has issued a proclamation that all the brothels in the city must be dismantled. Disgraceful practices as prostitution and pimping must be totally stopped.

Angelo has received a certain law which had become almost a dead letter. He has condemned Claudio to death in accordance with that law. Claudio says that Angelo is behaving like a tyrant and a dictator. In sentencing Claudio to death for a sexual offence, Angelo does seem to have gone to an extreme. He has really a reputation for being a cold-hearted man having no weakness for women. He was not made by a man and a woman in the ordinary way in which human beings are begotten. He was spawned or conceived by a sea-maid. He was begotten by the mating of two different kinds of fish whose progeny is devoid of all sexual desire.

Isabella comes to Angelo to appeal to save the life of her brother, Caudio. At first, Angelo shows his strictness and seriousness in implementing laws. Then he starts deviating from his stand for the extreme beauty of Isabella. He forgets what he has already done with Mariana. He proposes to have sex with Isabella. He says if she surrends her body, he will spare her brother from death sentence. So has to face the serious charges brought against him by Isabella. Mariana has also brought a similar charge against him. During Isabella's recital of her accusations against him, Angelo remains calm and unperturbed. There is no need for him to defend himself against her charges because the Duke himself here plays the role of his defence counsel.

At last, we see that the Duke now has to punish Angelo.Angelo is first directed to get married to Mariana whom he had betrayed by having broken off his engagement with her several years ago. Immediately after, he had got married to Mariana. Then the Duke announces a sentence of death against Angelo. The charge against Angelo is that he had ordered the execution of Claudio who was guilty of the same crime which Angelo himself had soon afterwards committed. If Claudio deserves death, so does Angelo. This is measure for measure. Thus it is proved that Angelo is a smiling villain in Measure for Measure. Shakespeare has portrayed Angelo very vividly for playing his vital role.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare

Why is Measure for Measure considered a 'dark comedy'?

"DARK COMEDY"

Dark Comedy is also known as black comedy. It is a drama which believes that human beings exist in a purposeless universe where they are faced with forces which are beyond their control or understanding. It believes that morality and ethics, as well as intellectual values are meaningless, and that life is a tragic farce. A comedy has a happy ending. It has wit, humour, fun, joy, and laughter. On the other hand, a dark comedy is gloomy. It does have a happy ending. It also has amusing scenes as well as wit and humour. It is an undercurrent of gloom and despair which never leaves us. The comic elements in such play are pushed into the background by the tone and atmosphere of seriousness and gravity. Measure  for Measure by William Shakespeare is a play of this type. It is also called problem play.

Measure for Measure is the darkest of the three dark comedies written by Shakespeare. It is the darkest because it displays the most detested of human emotions-that of sexual promiscuity. Shakespeare's massive sensibilities led him to explore different areas of human nature. Though he did not give a solution, the choice of subject meant that he found it worth exploring. Most critics have believed that sexual promiscuity is bad.

The gloom in the play is attributed to three different and distinct reasons. One view is that the gloom in the play is an extension of Shakespeare's own convoluted mind at the time when he wrote these dark comedies. However the second view dismisses this view completely. It traces the gloom of these plays to the spiritual exhaustion of the Jacobean Age. This was an age of doubt,which brought about dread for death, and a negation of life.

There is no doubt that the world of the play is hedonistic and sexual promiscuous. It is a world of brothels and pimps, senseless  copulation, mindless pregnancies, and a total reversal of Christian value of marital sex. It has a weak Duke. It has a deputy Duke, Angelo, whose learning makes him harsh and eruel. IT is a world where a brother asks a sister to compromise her virginity to save his life. It is a world where a woman willingly indulges in sexual promiscuity through deception at the behest of the Duke. It is a world where despicable fellows like Lucio not only roam freely, but exist with aplomb; where pimps and bawds flourish despite repeated warnings and a very ambiguous law.

However, the setting of the play is in Vienna. This city has become a hot-bed of corruption. Shakespeare in this play portrays a society which is corrupt and rotten. It is a society in which morality is debased to the extreme and sexual incontinence. The Duke neglects his duties during his long period in office. Angelo also abuses power and authority. The play depicts a society where women have to provide dowry at the time of marriage. Claudio and Juliet love each other very much. But they do not get married because of dowry. Therefore, Measure for Measure is a dark play or dark comedy. Its atmosphere is gloomy. It has a happy ending. It also has amusing scenes as well as wit and humour. It is a problem play because it deals with a particular social or moral problem.

Why is Measure for Measure considered a 'dark comedy'?

Literaturemini | August 02, 2018 | 0 comments

"DARK COMEDY"

Dark Comedy is also known as black comedy. It is a drama which believes that human beings exist in a purposeless universe where they are faced with forces which are beyond their control or understanding. It believes that morality and ethics, as well as intellectual values are meaningless, and that life is a tragic farce. A comedy has a happy ending. It has wit, humour, fun, joy, and laughter. On the other hand, a dark comedy is gloomy. It does have a happy ending. It also has amusing scenes as well as wit and humour. It is an undercurrent of gloom and despair which never leaves us. The comic elements in such play are pushed into the background by the tone and atmosphere of seriousness and gravity. Measure  for Measure by William Shakespeare is a play of this type. It is also called problem play.

Measure for Measure is the darkest of the three dark comedies written by Shakespeare. It is the darkest because it displays the most detested of human emotions-that of sexual promiscuity. Shakespeare's massive sensibilities led him to explore different areas of human nature. Though he did not give a solution, the choice of subject meant that he found it worth exploring. Most critics have believed that sexual promiscuity is bad.

The gloom in the play is attributed to three different and distinct reasons. One view is that the gloom in the play is an extension of Shakespeare's own convoluted mind at the time when he wrote these dark comedies. However the second view dismisses this view completely. It traces the gloom of these plays to the spiritual exhaustion of the Jacobean Age. This was an age of doubt,which brought about dread for death, and a negation of life.

There is no doubt that the world of the play is hedonistic and sexual promiscuous. It is a world of brothels and pimps, senseless  copulation, mindless pregnancies, and a total reversal of Christian value of marital sex. It has a weak Duke. It has a deputy Duke, Angelo, whose learning makes him harsh and eruel. IT is a world where a brother asks a sister to compromise her virginity to save his life. It is a world where a woman willingly indulges in sexual promiscuity through deception at the behest of the Duke. It is a world where despicable fellows like Lucio not only roam freely, but exist with aplomb; where pimps and bawds flourish despite repeated warnings and a very ambiguous law.

However, the setting of the play is in Vienna. This city has become a hot-bed of corruption. Shakespeare in this play portrays a society which is corrupt and rotten. It is a society in which morality is debased to the extreme and sexual incontinence. The Duke neglects his duties during his long period in office. Angelo also abuses power and authority. The play depicts a society where women have to provide dowry at the time of marriage. Claudio and Juliet love each other very much. But they do not get married because of dowry. Therefore, Measure for Measure is a dark play or dark comedy. Its atmosphere is gloomy. It has a happy ending. It also has amusing scenes as well as wit and humour. It is a problem play because it deals with a particular social or moral problem.

Measure For Measure , William Shakespeare