Aug 30, 2008

Measure for Measure | Overview

In this essay, Northrop Frye uses the title of Measure for Measure to organize his essay around some fundamental components of the play: characterization, theme, and genre.

Northrop Frye
[Frye uses the title of Measure for Measure to organize his essay around some fundamental components of the play: characterization, theme, and genre. He demonstrates, for example, how the play measures one character against another (such as Angelo versus Claudio) and one theme against another (such as justice versus mercy, or "a justice that includes equity and a justice that's a narrow legalism"). Frye also looks at the Duke's role as stage manager in the drama that occurs between Isabella, Angelo, and Mariana, and concludes by remarking on the ways in...