Title: Measure for Measure
Description: Set in Vienna, the Duke Vincentio pretends to leave the city and hands over authority to Angelo, a strict and morally rigid deputy. Angelo immediately enforces harsh laws, including the death penalty for fornication.
Claudio, a young nobleman, is sentenced to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet, before marriage. Claudio’s sister, Isabella, a novice nun, pleads for his life. Angelo becomes infatuated with Isabella and propositions her, offering to spare her brother in exchange for her virginity.
The Duke, disguised as a friar, orchestrates a clever plan—using deception, moral tests, and “bed tricks”—to expose Angelo’s hypocrisy, save Claudio, and restore order and justice.
Subjects: Justice vs. Mercy, Corruption and Hypocrisy, Deception and Disguise
Places: Vienna
People: Duke Vincentio, Angelo, Isabella, Claudio
Time periods: 1603-1604