Measure for Measure Essay: Immorality and Corruption -- Measure for Me

lousiness and Corruption in poster for circular In pace for Measure, Shakespeare demonstrates that there is an inwrought immorality and corruption in the heart of man. Shakespeare illustrates that great power does not cause corruption. This is achieved by presenting the Duke, who has the most power in Vienna, as a moral hero, and conversely revealing the corruption of the powerless categorise through characters including Pompey, Mistress Overdone, and Barnadine. Through all this, Shakespeare uses Lord Angelo in Measure for Measure to show that immorality and corruption is innate in mankind. It is price noting that Lord Angelos name evokes an image of purity and holiness. Names are assumption at birth, and the idea that he is called angelic from the start, would argue against this doctrine of innate depravity. But, as Shakespeare argues, its a name that cant be lived up to because of natural passions and lusts, which change surfacetually leads to Angelos hypocrisy. The pla y opens up not only labelling Angelo with a pure name, unless also as a puritanical deputy, who has been elected (1.1.18) to enforce the laws charm the Duke is away. This idea of election not only signifies the political decree of Vienna, notwithstanding also a Pauline doctrine that relates to men and angels. But whats even more interesting, is that when the apostle Paul writ... ...lives in spite of them. Works Cited and Consulted Black, James. The Unfolding of Measure for Measure. Shakespeare Survey 26 (1973) 119-28. Leech, Clifford. The Meaning of Measure for Measure. Shakespeare Survey 3 (1950) 69-71. New American Standard Bible. Reference ed. Chicago Moody Press, 1975. Shakespeare, William. Measure for Measure. The Arden Shakespeare. Ed. J.W. Lever. London Routledge, 1995. Thomas, Vivian. The virtuous Universe of Shakespeares Problem Plays. London Croom Helm, 1987. Wilders, John. The Problem Comedies. In Wells, Stanley, ed. Shakespeare Select bibliographical Guides. Lon don Oxford UP, 1973.