ISBN: 0451518918

Mass Market Paperback, [EAN: 9780451518910], Penguin Books Ltd, Penguin Books Ltd, Book, [PU: Penguin Books Ltd], Penguin Books Ltd, A dark and difficult play, Measure for Measure has bee… More...

Mass Market Paperback, [EAN: 9780451518910], Penguin Books Ltd, Penguin Books Ltd, Book, [PU: Penguin Books Ltd], Penguin Books Ltd, A dark and difficult play, Measure for Measure has been a popular play since the latter half of the 20th century for its prescient dramatisation of the issues of sexual and political hypocrisy, and the ways in which the state interferes in the private lives of its citizens. Set in Duke Vincentio's Vienna, where poverty, disease and prostitution are rife, Claudio and his fiancée Juliet are arrested for having sex before marriage, and Claudio is sentenced to death. Angelo, the Duke's deputy, who stands in for the Duke whilst he ostensibly goes off on a pilgrimage, enthusiastically endorses the sentence. In fact the Duke remains behind the scenes, watching Angelo as he falls for Claudio's sister Isabella, who comes to beg for her brother's life. Angelo is a wonderful creation, loathsome yet fascinating as he struggles with the double standards of his enforcement of draconian laws whilst lusting after the sister of the man he is prepared to execute, debating "The tempter or the tempted, who sins most?". No one is spared Shakespeare's withering look at the mores of early 17th-century life, not even the pimps and madams who try to get by in the midst of the Duke's bizarre and coercive disguises and performances. The deeply ambiguous ending of Measure for Measure confirms it as one of Shakespeare's most ambivalent and arguably despairing plays. --Jerry Brotton , 270524, Performing Arts, 270541, Circus, 274080, Comedy & Stand-up, 270525, Dance, 270542, Magic, 270564, Musicals, 515318, Plays & Drama, 270568, Puppetry, 270562, History, 515316, Stagecraft, 73, Music, Stage & Screen, 1025612, Subjects, 266239, Books, 274876, Drama, 275389, Poetry, Drama & Criticism, 1025612, Subjects, 266239, Books, 274731, Shakespeare, William, 275389, Poetry, Drama & Criticism, 1025612, Subjects, 266239, Books<

ISBN: 0451518918

Folger Shakespeare Library The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Full explanatory notes conveniently p… More...

Folger Shakespeare Library The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Scene-by-scene plot summaries A key to famous lines and phrases An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language An essay by leading Shakespeare scholar, Christy Desmet, providing a modern perspective on the play Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. antiques and collectibles,arts music and photography,children's,children's books,classics,criticism and theory,drama,education,education and reference,education and training Encyclopedias, Penguin Publishing Group<

ISBN: 0451518918

Folger Shakespeare Library The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Full explanatory notes conveniently p… More...

Folger Shakespeare Library The world's leading center for Shakespeare studies Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play Scene-by-scene plot summaries A key to famous lines and phrases An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language An essay by leading Shakespeare scholar, Christy Desmet, providing a modern perspective on the play Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. antiques and collectibles,children's,children's books,criticism and theory,drama,education,education and reference,education and training,encyclopedias,english literature Encyclopedias, Penguin Publishing Group<