Shakespeare's 'Measure for Measure'

by Lascelles, Mary

• ISBN13: 9781472506214
• ISBN10: 1472506219
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2014-05-08
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

In devoting a whole book to Measure for Measure Miss Lascelles has expressed her conviction that in no other way can the sharp divisions of opinion which characterise recent criticism of the play be resolved. She considers that to continue discussing the large issues involved in the limited space of a single article or chapter is to continue to fail to take full account of the difficulties the reader or playgoer finds perplexing.

Her study falls into three main sections. She begins by discussing other versions of the story in European literature that may have been known to Shakespeare, and the way in which they may be used to throw light on his intentions. Next, she undertakes a long and reflective analysis of the play's successive phases. Finally, at the conclusion of this essential investigation of the evidence, she shows how it supports the view that the complexity of Measure for Measure is the necessary condition of its greatness.

Author Biography

Mary Lascelles was Vice-Principal of Somerville College, Oxford, and a University lecturer in English.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction
Chapter I. Illustrations
Chapter II. The Position Occupied by ‘Measure for Measure’
Chapter III. The Play Considered
I. The Case
II. The Disputants
III. The Arbiter
IV. The Verdict
Chapter IV. Conclusion
Appendix
Index