StageArchive

Measure for Measure

Full Length Play

Brief Description

The Duke of Vienna, Vincentio, temporarily steps away from his duties, leaving his strict and puritanical deputy, Angelo, in charge. Angelo immediately enforces draconian laws regarding sexual morality, sentencing Claudio to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet.Claudio’s sister, Isabella, a young novice nun, pleads with Angelo to spare her brother. Angelo propositions her: he will pardon Claudio if Isabella will sleep with him. Isabella refuses, but the Duke—who has disguised himself as a friar to secretly observe the city—intervenes. He orchestrates a "bed trick" (substituting Mariana, Angelo's jilted former fiancée, for Isabella) to satisfy Angelo's demand without compromising Isabella's virtue. Angelo breaks his promise anyway, prompting the Duke to reveal himself, expose Angelo’s hypocrisy, and deliver a dramatic conclusion that blends mercy, justice, and marriage.

Year Written1603

Original LanguageEnglish

Type of WorkFull Length Play

GenreComedy

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Characters (24)

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Character Name	Gender	Age	Lines	Scenes	Actions
The Duke	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write The Dukeout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Abhorson	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Abhorsonout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Angelo	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Angeloout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Barnardine	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Barnardineout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Claudio	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Claudioout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Elbow	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Elbowout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Escalus	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Escalusout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
First Gentleman	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write First Gentlemanout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Flavius	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Flaviusout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Francisca	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Franciscaout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Friar Thomas	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Friar Thomasout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Froth	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Frothout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Isabella	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Isabellaout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Juliet	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Julietout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Lucio	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Lucioout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Mariana	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Marianaout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Messenger	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Messengerout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Mistress Overdone	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Mistress Overdoneout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Pompey	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Pompeyout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Provost	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Provostout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Second Gentleman	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Second Gentlemanout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Servant to Angelo	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Servant to Angeloout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Varrius	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Varriusout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!
Vincentio	—	—	—	—	Edit 🎭 Nice try, director! You can't write Vincentioout of the script while they're still bound to an active show roster. Clear them from the productions first!

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Production List (2)

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Collection	Opening Night	🎭 Production Name	🏛️ Company	📍 Location	🏢 Stage
	14 Apr 1981	Measure for Measure	National Theatre	London, City of London, United Kingdom	Lyttelton Theatre
	24 Mar 1981	Measure for Measure	National Theatre	Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, United Kingdom	Hull New Theatre