Home > Measure for Measure Summary & Study Guide > Character Analysis > Other Characters (Descriptions)
Measure for Measure | Other Characters (Descriptions)
Abhorson
He is the executioner at the prison where Claudio is being held. His role in the play is a minor one. In IV.ii.21-60 when the provost offers him the bawd Pompey as an apprentice, Abhorson initially objects, arguing that Pompey will "discredit" the executioner's profession. In IV.iii.20-65, Abhorson is prevented from executing Barnardine because that prisoner is too drunk to be prepared for death. While Abhorson's encounters with Pompey and Barnardine are comical, his presence in the play also functions as a grim reminder that Claudio has been sentenced...
[The entire page is 2604 words long]
Join eNotes
The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:
Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
- Measure for Measure: Introduction
- Measure for Measure: Reading Shakespeare
- Measure for Measure: Summary
- Measure for Measure: William Shakespeare Biography
- Measure for Measure: Characters
- Measure for Measure: Themes
- Measure for Measure: Character Analysis
- Measure for Measure: Criticism
- Measure for Measure: Modern Connections
- Measure for Measure: Bibliography and Further Reading
- Measure for Measure: Pictures
- Copyright
Tell a friend about Measure for Measure at eNotes.
