Measure for Measure a Problem Play

A problem play usually presents moral and social problems. It raises several questions of which there is no answer or no solution, provided by the dramatist. Measure for Measure like All’s Well That Ends Well and Troilus and Cressida, is a problem play, because it raises several questions or problems of which Shakespeare does not give any solution.

Angelo, the newly entrusted deputy of the Duke, sentences Claudio to death on a charge of fornication in order to regulate neglected social life in a decent manner. Now the question is how far Angelo is justified in passing this death-sentence. Claudio has already admitted his guilt and explains the circumstances that prevented him from marrying Juliet in spite of his earnest intention. Escalus also requests Angelo to be lenient to Claudio. Now Angelo problem is whether he should temper justice with mercy or should enforce laws of the land strictly.

'Isabella, during her first interview with Anglo, pleads for mercy to be shown to her brother. But Angelo insists that the law must be carried out for the welfare of the state. She places her various convincing arguments before Angelo but all of them fall flat upon him. Here the problem is whether Angelo is right or Isabella is right, whether the demands of the law or justice are stronger than those of mercy.

During Isabella’s second interview with Angelo there is a dramatic change in Angelo’s sense of justice. Feeling sexual urge he suddenly asks Isabella to surrender her virginity to him if she really wants to release her brother from punishment. Thus there is a contention between chastity and the desire to save a brother’s life. Angelo prefers lust to justice but Isabella is not prepared to throw her chastity overboard even to save her brother’s life. However, the conflict ends quickly when Mariana comes to Angelo to satisfy his lust. But actually the problem of mercy affection versus chastity remains unsolved as does the problem of flaw versus mercy.

At the end of the play Angelo is compelled by the Duke to marry Mariana and thus it is a problem of forced marriage. Now the question is, whether Angelo will be happy or will try to keep Marian happy. Similar is the case with Lucio who is forced to marry a whore.

The problem also arises from the Dukes forgiveness of all the culprits. How far is the Duke justified in completely forgiving both Angelo and Lucio. Forced marriages are the only punishments which these two men receive, but is this punishment adequate? Forgiveness as a principle in the administration of justice would reduce the laws to a mockery. Thus a lot of question arise in our mind but we do not get any answer or solution anywhere in the play.