KEY FACTS
MAJOR PARTS: (with percentage of lines/number of speeches/scenes on stage) Duke (30%/194/9), Isabella (15%/129/8), Lucio (11%/111/5), Angelo (11%/83/5), Escalus (7%/78/5), Provost (6%/65/7), Pompey (6%/60/4), Claudio (4%/35/4), Elbow (2%/28/2), Mariana (2%/24/3), Overdone (1%/15/2).
LINGUISTIC MEDIUM: 65% verse, 35% prose.
DATE: Performed at court December 26, 1604, probably written earlier the same year.
SOURCES: Main plot from George Whetstone's two-part play Promos and Cassandra (1578) and the novella in Giraldi Cinthio's Hecatommithi (1565) that was Whetstone's source; the bed trick was a common romance motif, though not in these sources; the "disguised duke" motif appears in a number of contemporaneous plays, such as John Marston's The Malcontent and Thomas Middleton's The Phoenix (both c. 1603).
TEXT: The 1623 Folio is the only early text. It was typeset from a transcript by the scribe Ralph Crane, though the nature of Crane's copy is not clear. The absence of swear words from the play's seamy underbelly suggests a theatrical script from after the 1606 Act against profanity. The song at the beginning of Act 4 also occurs (with a second stanza) in Rollo Duke of Normandy by John Fletcher and others (1616-19). It has been suggested that the song, perhaps together with the ensuing dialogue between the duke and Mariana, was introduced as part of a revision of the play in which a five-act structure was imposed. The soliloquy "O place and greatness" (4.1.60) has often been regarded as an interpolation. The duke is unnamed in the text, but called Vincentio in Crane's list of parts. These, and other minor inconsistencies and loose ends, have led to the supposition that the Folio text is a theatrical adaptation--in which some have detected the hand of Thomas Middleton--as opposed to a pure Shakespearean original.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
LIST OF PARTS
The DUKE, unnamed in play, but 'Vincentio' in Folio list of roles ANGELO, the Deputy
ESCALUS, an ancient lord
CLAUDIO, a young gentleman LUCIO, a fantastic
Two other like GENTLEMEN
PROVOST
THOMAS AND PETER, two friars (probably the same character, with misremembered name) A JUSTICE
VARRIUS, a lord, friend to the duke ELBOW, a simple constable
FROTH, a foolish gentleman POMPEY, the clown, servant to Mistress Overdone ABHORSON, an executioner
BARNARDINE, a dissolute prisoner ISABELLA, sister to Claudio MARIANA, betrothed to Angelo JULIET, beloved of Claudio FRANCISCA, a nun
MISTRESS OVERDONE, a bawd
BOY, singer attending Mariana Lords, Officers, Citizens, Servants, Messenger, Attendants
The Scene: Vienna
fantastic extravagant, showy dresser/person with fanciful ideas PROVOST officer in charge of the arrest, custody, and punishment of offenders ISABELLA sometimes "Isabel" for sake of meter JULIET sometimes "Julietta" for sake of meter bawd pimp
Act 1 Scene 1
running scene 1
Location: with the exception of Act 4 Scenes 1 and 5, the entire play is set in Vienna, moving between the duke's palace, the street, the monastery, the nunnery, the prison and, in the final scene, the city gates
Enter Duke, Escalus, Lords [and Attendants]
DUKE Escalus.
ESCALUS My lord.
DUKE Of government the properties3 to unfold
Would seem in me t'affect4 speech and discourse,
Since I am put to know5 that your own science
Exceeds, in that6, the lists of all advice
My strength7 can give you. Then no more remains
But that to your sufficiency as your worth is able,
And let them work8. The nature of our people,
Our city's institutions10, and the terms
For common justice, you're as pregnant11 in
As art and practice12 hath enriched any
That we remember. There is our commission,
Hands him a paper
From which we would not have you warp14. Call hither,
I say, bid come before us Angelo.
[Exit an Attendant]
What figure of us think you he will bear?16
For you must know, we have with special soul17
Elected him our absence to supply18;
Lent him our terror19, dressed him with our love,
And given his deputation20 all the organs
Of our own power. What think you of it?
ESCALUS If any in Vienna be of worth
To undergo23 such ample grace and honour,
It is Lord Angelo.
DUKE Look where he comes.
Enter Angelo
ANGELO26 Always obedient to your grace's will,
I come to know your pleasure27.
DUKE Angelo,
There is a kind of character29 in thy life
That to th'observer doth thy history30
Fully unfold31. Thyself and thy belongings
Are not thine own so proper32 as to waste
Thyself upon thy virtues, they on thee.
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves: for if our virtues
Did not go forth of36 us, 'twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits37 are not finely touched
But to fine issues38, nor nature never lends
The smallest scruple39 of her excellence
But, like a thrifty40 goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use. But I do bend42 my speech
To one that can my part in him advertise43.
Hold44 therefore, Angelo.
In our remove45 be thou at full ourself:
Mortality46 and mercy in Vienna
Live in thy tongue and heart. Old Escalus,
Though first in question48, is thy secondary.
Take thy commission.
Offers a paper
ANGELO Now, good my lord,
Let there be some more test made of my mettle51,
Before so noble and so great a figure52
Be stamped upon it.
DUKE No more evasion.
We have with a leavened55 and prepared choice
Proceeded to you: therefore take your honours.
Angelo takes paper
Our haste from hence is of so quick condition57
That it prefers itself58 and leaves unquestioned
Matters of needful value59. We shall write to you,
As time and our concernings60 shall importune,
How it goes with us, and do look61 to know
What doth befall you here. So, fare you well:
To th'hopeful63 execution do I leave you
Of your commissions.
ANGELO Yet give leave65, my lord,
That we may bring you something66 on the way.
DUKE My haste may not admit67 it,
Nor need you, on mine honour, have to do
With any scruple68. Your scope is as mine own,
So to enforce or qualify70 the laws
As to your soul seems good. Give me your hand,
I'll privily72 away. I love the people,
But do not like to stage me73 to their eyes:
Though it do well74, I do not relish well
Their loud applause and aves75 vehement,
Nor do I think the man of safe discretion76
That does affect77 it. Once more, fare you well.
ANGELO The heavens give safety to your purposes!
ESCALUS Lead79 forth and bring you back in happiness!
DUKE I thank you. Fare you well.
Exit
ESCALUS I shall desire you, sir, to give me leave
To have free speech with you; and it concerns me
To look into the bottom of my place82.
A power I have, but of what strength and nature
I am not yet instructed.
ANGELO 'Tis so with me. Let us withdraw together,
And we may soon our satisfaction have
<
br /> Touching88 that point.
ESCALUS I'll wait upon your honour.
Exeunt
Act 1 Scene 2
running scene 2
Enter Lucio and two other Gentlemen
LUCIO If the duke with the other dukes come not to
composition2 with the King of Hungary, why then all the
dukes fall upon3 the king.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Heaven grant us its peace, but not the King of
Hungary's4!
SECOND GENTLEMAN Amen.
LUCIO Thou concludest like the sanctimonious7 pirate, that
went to sea with the Ten Commandments, but scraped one
out of the table9.
SECOND GENTLEMAN 'Thou shalt not steal'?
LUCIO Ay, that he razed11.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Why, 'twas a commandment to command the
captain and all the rest from their functions13: they put forth to
steal. There's not a soldier of us all that, in the thanksgiving
before meat15, do relish the petition well that prays for peace.
SECOND GENTLEMAN I never heard any soldier dislike it.
LUCIO I believe thee; for I think thou never wast where
grace was said.
SECOND GENTLEMAN No? A dozen times at least.
FIRST GENTLEMAN What, in metre20?
LUCIO In any proportion21 or in any language.
FIRST GENTLEMAN I think, or in any religion.
LUCIO Ay, why not? Grace is grace, despite of all
controversy24: as for example, thou thyself art a wicked
villain, despite of all grace.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Well, there went but a pair of shears
between us26.
LUCIO I grant, as there may between the lists28 and the
velvet. Thou art the list.
FIRST GENTLEMAN And thou the velvet. Thou art good velvet;
thou'rt a three-piled piece31, I warrant thee. I had as lief be a
list of an English kersey32 as be piled, as thou art piled, for a
French velvet33. Do I speak feelingly now?
LUCIO I think thou dost, and indeed, with most painful
feeling34 of thy speech. I will, out of thine own confession35,
learn to begin thy health, but, whilst I live, forget to drink
after thee36.
FIRST GENTLEMAN I think I have done myself wrong38, have I not?
SECOND GENTLEMAN Yes, that thou hast, whether thou art
tainted or free40.
Enter Bawd [Mistress Overdone]
LUCIO Behold, behold, where Madam Mitigation41 comes! I
have purchased as many diseases under her roof as come to--
SECOND GENTLEMAN To what, I pray?
LUCIO Judge44.
SECOND GENTLEMAN To three thousand dolours45 a year.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Ay, and more.
LUCIO A French crown47 more.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Thou art always figuring48 diseases in me, but
thou art full of error, I am sound.
LUCIO Nay, not as one would say, healthy: but so sound50 as
things that are hollow; thy bones are hollow51, impiety has
made a feast of thee.
FIRST GENTLEMAN How now! Which of your
To Mistress Overdone
hips has the most profound54 sciatica?
MISTRESS OVERDONE Well, well. There's one yonder arrested and
carried to prison was worth five thousand of you all.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Who's that, I pray thee?
MISTRESS OVERDONE Marry58, sir, that's Claudio, Signior Claudio.
FIRST GENTLEMAN Claudio to prison? 'Tis not so.
MISTRESS OVERDONE Nay, but I know 'tis so. I saw him arrested,
saw him carried away, and, which is more, within these
three days his head to be chopped off.
LUCIO But, after63 all this fooling, I would not have it so. Art
thou sure of this?
MISTRESS OVERDONE I am too sure of it. And it is for getting
Madam Julietta with child.
LUCIO Believe me, this may be: he promised to meet me
two hours since, and he was ever precise68 in promise-keeping.
SECOND GENTLEMAN Besides, you know, it draws something near
to the speech we had to such a purpose69.
FIRST GENTLEMAN But most of all agreeing with the proclamation71.
LUCIO Away! Let's go learn the truth of it.
Exeunt [Lucio and Gentlemen]
MISTRESS OVERDONE Thus, what with the war, what with the
sweat74, what with the gallows and what with poverty, I am
custom-shrunk75.
Enter Clown [Pompey]
How now? What's the news with you?
POMPEY Yonder man77 is carried to prison.
MISTRESS OVER DONE Well, what has he done78?
POMPEY A woman.
MISTRESS OVERDONE But what's his offence?
POMPEY Groping for trouts in a peculiar river81.
MISTRESS OVERDONE What, is there a maid82 with child by him?
POMPEY No, but there's a woman with maid by him. You
have not heard of the proclamation, have you?
MISTRESS OVERDONE What proclamation, man?
POMPEY All houses in the suburbs86 of Vienna must be
plucked down.
MISTRESS OVERDONE And what shall become of those in the city?
POMPEY They shall stand for seed89: they had gone down too,
but that a wise burgher90 put in for them.
MISTRESS OVERDONE But shall all our houses of resort91 in the
suburbs be pulled down?
POMPEY To the ground, mistress.
MISTRESS OVERDONE Why, here's a change indeed in the
commonwealth! What shall become of me?
POMPEY Come, fear you not: good counsellors96 lack no
clients. Though you change your place, you need not change
your trade: I'll be your tapster98 still. Courage! There will be
pity taken on you; you that have worn your eyes almost out
in the service99, you will be considered.
MISTRESS OVERDONE What's to do here, Thomas101 tapster? Let's
withdraw.
POMPEY Here comes Signior Claudio, led by the provost to
prison, and there's Madam Juliet.
Exeunt
Act 1 Scene 3
running scene 2 continues
Enter Provost, Claudio, Juliet, Officers; Lucio and the two Gentlemen [follow]
CLAUDIO Fellow, why dost thou show me thus to th'world?
Bear me to prison, where I am committed.
PROVOST I do it not in evil disposition3,
But from Lord Angelo by special charge.
CLAUDIO Thus can the demigod Authority
Make us pay down6 for our offence by weight
The words of heaven7; on whom it will, it will,
On whom it will not, so. Yet still 'tis just.
LUCIO Why, how now, Claudio? Whence comes this
restraint?9
CLAUDIO From too much liberty11, my Lucio, liberty:
As surfeit12 is the father of much fast,
So every scope13 by the immoderate use
Turns to restraint. Our natures do pursue,
Like rats that ravin down their proper bane15,
A thirsty16 evil, and when we drink we die.
LUCIO If I could speak so wisely under an arrest, I would
send for certain of my creditors18: and yet, to say the truth, I
had as lief19 have the foppery of freedom as the morality of
imprisonment. What's thy offence, Claudio?
CLAUDIO What but to speak of would offend again.
LUCIO What, is't murder?
CLAUDIO No.
LUCIO Lechery?
CLAUDIO Call it so.
PROVOST Away, sir. You must go.
CLAUDIO One word,
good friend. Lucio, a word with you.
LUCIO A hundred, if they'll do you any good.
Is lechery so looked after29?
CLAUDIO Thus stands it with me: upon a true contract30
I got possession of Julietta's bed.
You know the lady, she is fast32 my wife,
Save33 that we do the denunciation lack
Of outward34 order. This we came not to
Only for propagation of a dower35
Remaining in the coffer of her friends36,
From whom we thought it meet37 to hide our love
Till time had made them for us38. But it chances
The stealth of our most mutual entertainment39
With character too gross40 is writ on Juliet.
LUCIO With child, perhaps?
CLAUDIO Unhappily, even so.
And the new deputy now for the duke --
Whether it be the fault and glimpse of newness44,
Or whether that the body public45 be
A horse whereon the governor doth ride,
Who, newly in the seat, that47 it may know
He can command, lets it straight48 feel the spur:
Whether the tyranny be in his place49,
Or in his eminence that fills it up50,
I stagger in51 -- but this new governor
Awakes me52 all the enrolled penalties
Which have, like unscoured53 armour, hung by th'wall
So long that nineteen zodiacs54 have gone round
And none of them55 been worn; and, for a name,
Now puts the drowsy and neglected act
Freshly on me. 'Tis surely for a name.
LUCIO I warrant it is: and thy head stands so tickle58 on thy
shoulders that a milkmaid, if she be in love, may sigh it off.
Send after the duke and appeal to him.
CLAUDIO I have done so, but he's not to be found.
I prithee, Lucio, do me this kind service:
This day my sister should the cloister63 enter
And there receive her approbation64.
Acquaint her with the danger of my state,
Implore her, in my voice, that she make friends
To67 the strict deputy: bid herself assay him.
I have great hope in that, for in her youth
There is a prone69 and speechless dialect,
Such as move70 men. Beside, she hath prosperous art
When she will play with reason and discourse71,
And well she can persuade.
LUCIO I pray she may; as well for the encouragement of
the like74, which else would stand under grievous imposition,
as for the enjoying of thy life, who I would be sorry should be
thus foolishly lost at a game of tick-tack76. I'll to her.
CLAUDIO I thank you, good friend Lucio.
LUCIO Within two hours.
CLAUDIO Come, officer, away!
Exeunt
Act 1 Scene 4
running scene 3
Enter Duke and Friar Thomas
DUKE No, holy father, throw away that thought1:
Believe not that the dribbling dart2 of love
Can pierce a complete3 bosom. Why I desire thee