Shakespeare's Measure For Measure

William Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure is considered a problem play because it operates on several levels. Shakespeare explores complex matters of ethics in this play through complicated situations and characters. The complexities of the human psyche are explored in this play, with a focus on the emotions of love, shame, and honor. Shakespeare brings these sensitive issues to the surface with the characters and curious behavior of Isabella, Angelo, and the Duke. This paper will examine how the play is problematic when considering its generic conventions.

Isabella becomes a pivotal character in the play because as we become concerned with what she should do, we realize the problems her choice means to her. Part of the difficulty associated with Measure for Measure is that the answer to this question is not clear. What we discover about Isabella is something peculiar about her chastity. In short,...
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