Measure for Measure

<p>Labelled as a problem play for its marriage of comic overtones to serious moral inquiry William Shakespeares Measure for Measure is a peerless black comedy of justice pride and desire. This Penguin Shakespeare edition is edited by J.M. Nosworthy with an introduction by Julia Briggs.</p><p> </p><p>Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall</p><p> </p><p>In the Duke Vincentios absence from Vienna his strict deputy Angelo revives an ancient law forbidding sex outside marriage. The young Claudio whose fiancée Juliet is pregnant is condemned to death by the law. His sister Isabella soon to become a nun pleads with Lord Angelo for her brothers life. But her purity so excites Angelo that he offers her a monstrous bargain - he will save Claudio if Isabella will visit him that night.</p><p> </p><p>This book contains a general introduction to Shakespeares life and Elizabethan theatre a separate introduction to Measure for Measure a chronology suggestions for further reading an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen and a commentary.</p>