Measure for Measure: A Critical Reader [Hardcover]

This scholarly guide to Measure for Measure highlights its unique position in the Shakespeare canon by covering its nuanced performance history and critical backstory.

Measure for Measurebroke new ground in Shakespeare's dramatic writing by rejecting the formulae of comedy and tragedy. Issues at the heart of the play including gender equality, rape, judicial process, political authority, slander, and equality before the law provide rich material for teaching and studying. Contributors connect the specifics of these themes from the early modern context to the present day and make crucial interventions to contemporary criticism on the play. Such interpretations explore how sexual politics, reputation, the reformation, ethics, and law shapeMeasure for Measurefor a 21st century audience. Through a wide range of essays, the book provides a comprehensive guide to this criticism as well as its recent stage history that will be useful for scholars and students alike.

John Jowettis Emeritus Professor at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK.

Sarah Oliveis Senior Lecturer in the Communication and Culture department, Aston University, UK.

SERIES INTRODUCTION
NOTES ON CONTRIBUTORS
TIMELINE

Introduction JOHN JOWETT

1. The Critical Backstory SUZANNE GOSSETT

2. On Stage: Isabella's 'prone and speechless dialect' in Performance ELIZABETH SCHAFER

3. On Screen: 'Who will believe thee?' (2.4.154):Measure for Measureand the Problem of Verisimilitude on Screen SARAH HATCHUEL and NATHALIE VIENNE-GUERRIN

4. The State of the Art CARLA DELLA GATTA

5. New Directions: Theatres of Reputation inMeasure for MeasureLAURA KOLB

6. New Directions: 'False prints': Thinking through Metaphors of Countelc*