Measure for Measure

William Shakespeare

When the Duke of Vienna departs he leaves the strict Angelo in charge who revives old laws against lechery. He sentences a young man to death but offers to spare him if the man's sister, a novice nun named Isabella, will sleep with him. It is a dark problem play exploring justice, mercy, and sexual hypocrisy.

Isabella, Angelo, Duke Vincentio, Claudio

First Performance: 1604, at Whitehall Palace

Highly provocative, challenging the audience's sense of morality and the ending's happy resolution.

Original Actors: Unknown