Susan Zasciurinskas, November 12, 2003
The play Measure for Measure is a transitional play for Shakespeare from the romantic comedies to the beginnings of his writing of tragedies. This play is one in which many question the role women have in it, and has received much criticism for the way the women are portrayed.
The piece’s main plot is about the control the Duke has over his people. He leaves the country under the control of Angelo, who falls into a power trip and takes it upon himself to enforce the laws of unlawful sexual activity. In his most recent arrest of a gentleman named Claudio, he propositions Claudio’s sister for his release. Only if his sister Isabella unlawfully sleeps with him, he will release Claudio. “Give up your body to such sweet uncleanness/As she that hath stained?” (Norton 2050).
Isabella’s reaction is one of horror. She is reluctant to break the law, however wishes the release of her brother. After much thought, she decides to send former lover of Angelo’s Mariana in her place.
Among many criticisms of this play a major one involves the women’s role in society. Traditionally, during the Elizabethan era, women were not highly regarded. Men were dominant, and women were expected to be submissive. After surveying a group of feminine critics, the response to the play Measure for Measure provided a wide range of criticisms from modern critics. Women’s roles have been portrayed in many different manners, including politically and religiously.
Critic Andrea Cilliota-Rubery’s discussion on Shakespeare’s attempt to prove that there was still human goodness in women in society, even if he may not believe it himself. According to her, this play is Shakespeare’s last attempt to claim that there is some traditional morality (87). “On the contrary, I believe that Shakespeare's acknowledgment of the moral disorder is in no way a full acceptance of it. In fact, I would argue that he still clings to the hope that some men will adhere to principles of order and justice” (85).
Her argument continues to defend Isabella’s role in the play. Cilliota-Rubery explains that her goodness is still evident in the play through her refusal to sleep with Angelo and even after he exclaims his unworthiness, she still refuses to neither accept nor reject his words.
Another critic by the name of Ann Jennalie Cook had stated in a recent article that the play Measure for Measure was one dealing with the issue of sexual power. In her study, she discusses that the play deals with “men facing the sexual power of women they desire”(392). In her study, she argues that is up the directors and to the theater management to determine how powerful these women can be played.
This discussion varies widely from John D. Cox’s discussion within his essay entitled Shakespeare and Political Philosophy. Cox believed that this play signifies a “men only” play, in which the concepts portrayed through the characters solidify the concept of masculine identity. The women’s role in the story is to be the tempter of men. They become rivals with other men in search of their husbands’ affection (418).
Alberto Cacicedo agrees with John Cox. He has stated that the play expresses the “destructiveness of male authority” (2). His thesis states that masculinity is saved within the play, the threat being through the states effort to limit and control sexuality through matrimony (3). According to him, the whole concept of the play is centered around children being legitimate. Any woman who was independent was considered a witch or a prostitute, and that common law is to prevent those types of women from reproducing.
Author David Phillips states that the paradigm of this play involves Shakespeare’s ability to focus the audiences attention on what he states as “what was not present in the text--the fine balance between extremes associated with their [the audience’s] own world”.He uses the example of Isabella’s situation to clarify this phrase. According to Phillips, an audience may appreciate the fact that she refuses to acknowledge Angelo’s sexual advances, but are upset by the fact that she allows her brother to die (1).
Many of the criticisms read also offered a historical background of the Renaissance mindset. John Cox discussed how Queen Elizabeth’s reign impacted the story. A history of her life, her royal pressures of marriage and producing an heir aided Shakespeare to create a plot about the pressures women have regarding sex and marriage.
These critics have outlined and represented many of the main ideas other critics have had. However, the important thing about those criticisms and interpretations of the play is based on an individual’s own attitude towards women.
Many of the above statements are based on the interpretations of the authors. Ironically enough, many of the criticisms came from men who felt that women attempt to repress a mans power. Many of the comments made were in response to the reasons why Isabella responded to Angelo as she did. Women are expected to listen and obey, and her refusal to sleep with Angelo confuses audience and critics, leading to various other interpretations. Reading the various critics can help the audience understand and interpret the reasoning’s why Isabella may have been reluctant to obey Angelo.
In the eyes of both the critics and the readers of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, the women are unable to have rights and the ability to overcome the ownership of their male counterparts. Isabella was forced into a situation that she lost in despite the choice she would choose to make. Forced to choose between the law and the life of her brother, Isabella’s journey to a decision is relevant to the Elizabethan time and the struggle for understanding the art of being a woman.