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MonkeyNotes-Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
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THE LITERARY FORM
It is extremely difficult to clearly classify Measure for Measure as
a single form of drama. Through history, it has been called a
tragedy, a comedy, a tragi-comedy, and even a satire. Some critics
have even regarded Measure for Measure as an allegory, with the
Duke as the Lord, Angelo as the fallen angel, and Isabella as the
Virgin Mary. There is also romantic intrigue in Measure for
Measure, for the play is filled with impersonation,
misunderstanding, love gone wrong, and love gone right. Judged as
a Christian parable, the play is a plea for justice and mercy.
Most critics have argued that the play is a comedy because of its
happy ending. However, it is not called a romantic comedy since
there is no spirit of adventure or joyous abandon, which are the
hallmarks of the romantic comedies. Here, intellect rather than
imagination drive the action of the play. And in the end, it is rather
a dark comedy, where there are glimpses into the oppressive gloom
of the prison and the oppressive deceit of the human heart.
Measure for Measure is a drama of ideas, and it is the ideas that are
the problems. At the spiritual level, excessive zeal is corrupted to
pride, and cloistered virtue subordinates charity to chastity.
It is definitely difficult to categorize Measure for Measure. At best,
it is probably called a tragicomedy, since the play offers a tragic
theme but with a happy closure
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