that enforcement becomes extremely challenging.

The duke's reasoning for appointing a strict disciplinarian like Angelo is that Vienna had become a decadent and morally lax city. Nowadays, those concerned about the decline of politeness in society, the erosion of family values, and the rise of crime and overcrowding often debate whether re-education, stronger laws, and stricter law enforcement could address these issues.

Aside from his wish to see Vienna's laws upheld, Duke Vincentio provides another rationale for appointing Angelo. According to the duke, Angelo is "precise"—a perfectionist regarding morals and conduct (I.iii.50). By entrusting Angelo with authority, the duke aims to observe "if power change [or corrupt] purpose" and whether Angelo is as virtuous as he appears (I.iii.54). However, Angelo misuses his power by attempting to coerce Isabella into having sex with him. When Isabella threatens to reveal Angelo's misconduct, he retorts that no one will believe her accusations when compared to his "unsoil'd name" and the "th'austereness" of his life (II.iv.155). This issue remains relevant today, as some rape cases hinge on the credibility of the accuser versus that of the accused.

It has also been suggested that Duke Vincentio misuses his power by manipulating people as if they were puppets. Nowadays, concerns about the corrupting influence of power have led to calls for, and in some cases the implementation of, political term limits.

Ultimately, true to its classification as a problem play, Measure for Measure raises challenging questions that we continue to grapple with today: What actions should we take when societal rules and penalties don't fit every case? When should punishment be tempered with mercy? How can we prevent power from corrupting those who wield it? How can we protect ourselves from those in positions of authority? And is anyone entirely free from hypocrisy?

Bache, William B. "The Ethic of Love and Duty." In "Measure for Measure" as Dialectical Art, pp. 1-12. Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Studies, 1969. Bache contends that Measure for Measure is a realistic portrayal of life's "brutality." He emphasizes the religious undertones in the play and how the main characters grapple with finding the right path amidst life's challenges.

Barnes, Barbara J. "Assaying the Power of Chastity in Measure for Measure." Studies in English Literature 30, No. 2 (Spring 1990): 283-301. Barnes argues that Isabella is not as powerless as many critics suggest. She notes that in a corrupt society like the Duke's Vienna, chastity becomes a unique form of power, making the chaste novice Isabella an influential figure whom other characters cannot ignore.

Brown, Carolyn E. "Measure for Measure: Isabella's Beating Fantasies." American Imago 43, No. 1 (Spring 1986): 67-80. Brown discusses the polarizing reactions Isabella provokes among scholars—some view her positively, while others see her negatively. She examines Isabella's character through a psychological lens, presenting her as an ambivalent and "complex character" who subconsciously harbors masochistic and incestuous fantasies, even as she "aspires to a saintly life."

——— "Measure for Measure: Duke Vincentio's 'Crabbed' Desires." Literature and Psychology XXXV, Nos. 1 & 2 (1989): 66-88. Brown analyzes the Duke's interview with Lucio in Act II, Scene ii, revealing much about Vincentio's problematic character. She observes that this brief meeting exposes the Duke as a superficially virtuous ruler with a hidden cruel streak.

Cacicedo, Alberto. "'She Is Fast My Wife': Sex, Marriage, and Ducal Authority in Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Studies XXII (1995): 187-209. Cacicedo focuses on gender issues and women's roles during Shakespeare's era. He examines the play through the lens of Renaissance society's conflicting views on women and marriage, considering the latter as a necessary evil.

Dunkel, Wilbur. "Law and Equity in Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Quarterly XIII, No. 3 (Summer 1962): 275-85. Dunkel explores the play from the perspective of its Renaissance audience and the theatrical King James I. He argues that justice, tempered with mercy, was a significant concern in Shakespeare's England. Dunkel notes that until the final act, the Duke dispenses mercy without justice, while his deputy, Angelo, enforces justice without mercy.

Dusinberre, Juliet. "Introduction." In Shakespeare and the Nature of Women, pp. 1-76. London: The Macmillan Press Ltd., 1975. Dusinberre provides an overview of Renaissance feminism as reflected in the literature of the time, particularly in Shakespeare's works. She argues that in Measure for Measure, Shakespeare criticizes the sexual double standard that unfairly places the burden of chastity on women.

Fisch, Harold. "Shakespeare and the Puritan Dynamic." Shakespeare Survey 27 (1974): 81-92. Explores the nature of Puritanism in three of Shakespeare's plays, including Measure for Measure. Fisch argues that as a Puritan, Angelo is corrupted by his desire for power, even though he recognizes that his faith conflicts with worldly authority.

Gless, Darryl F. "Duke Vincentio: The Intermittent Immanence of Godhead." In "Measure for Measure," the Law and the Convent, pp. 214-55. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1979. Analyzes the Duke's character through the tests he imposes on others in the play. Gless describes Vincentio as "a little image of God" who administers divine justice, corrects Vienna's flaws, and orchestrates the play's resolution.

Grove, Robin. "A Measure for Magistrates." The Critical Review No. 19 (1977): 3-23. Provides a general discussion on characters in Shakespeare's plays, with a particular focus on Duke Vincentio and his influence on the outcome of Measure for Measure. Grove perceives the Duke as self-important and insensitive.

Hawkins, Harriett. "'The Devil's Party': Virtues and Vices in Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Survey 31 (1978): 105-113. Examines the religious issues that contribute to the classification of Measure for Measure as a "problem play." Hawkins argues that a religious interpretation does not resolve the play's ambiguities due to the religious disagreements and debates of Shakespeare's era. She further suggests that Shakespeare intentionally filled the play with "unanswered questions and unsolved problems," emphasizing that these questions are more significant than any potential answers.

Hunter, Robert Grams. "Measure for Measure." In Shakespeare and the Comedy of Forgiveness, pp. 204-26. New York: Columbia University Press, 1965. Explores the relationship between humanity and justice in Measure for Measure. Hunter argues that in the play, strict "Justice must learn from Iniquity," similar to how the overly rigid Angelo learns from his own flaws, to grasp the value of charity.

Jaffa, Harry V. "Chastity as a Political Principle: An Interpretation of Shakespeare's Measure for Measure." In Shakespeare as Political Thinker, edited by John Alvis and Thomas G. West, pp. 181-213. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 1981. Investigates the thematic concerns of Measure for Measure. Jaffa notes that at the play's onset, Vienna is dominated by two extremes—celibacy and lechery—and the play's resolution comes when marriage emerges as a viable force in the city.

Kirsch, Arthur C. "The Integrity of Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Survey 28 (1975): 89-105. Defends Measure for Measure against critics who view it as a failure. Kirsch asserts that the play achieves unity through its religious themes and biblical references.

Kliman, Bernice W. "Isabella in Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Studies XV (1982): 137-48. Discusses the complex nature of Isabella's character. Kliman diverges from most critics by describing Isabella as "a poor debater," explaining that this flaw highlights the importance of the Duke's role in the play.

Knoppers, Laura Lunger. "(En)gendering Shame: Measure for Measure and the Spectacles of Power." English Literary Renaissance 23, No. 3 (Autumn 1993): 450-71. This article explores the depiction of women in Measure for Measure. Knoppers contends that Isabella's silence at the play's conclusion signifies her coerced compliance, rather than genuine approval, to the Duke's marriage proposal. This, she argues, leaves the play's status as a comedy unresolved.

Levin, Richard A. "Duke Vincentio and Angelo: Would 'A Feather Turn the Scale'?" Studies in English 22 (1982): 257-70. This study analyzes Duke Vincentio in contrast to the other morally strict characters, Angelo and Isabella. Levin posits that viewing the Duke as a "psychologically plausible character" rather than merely a symbol or agent of final judgment reveals his complex nature, marked by both virtue and moral frailty.

McFeely, Maureen Connolly. "'This Day My Sister Should the Cloister Enter': The Convent as Refuge in Measure for Measure." In Subjects on the World's Stage: Essays on British Literature of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, edited by David G. Allen and Robert A. White, pp. 200-16. Newark: The University of Delaware Press, 1995. This essay speculates on the reactions of Renaissance and modern audiences to Isabella's silence in response to the Duke's marriage proposal at the play's end. McFeely concludes that while Renaissance society, which idealized women's silence and obedience, would see Isabella's silence as acquiescence, contemporary audiences might interpret it in light of her persistent refusal to surrender her virginity throughout the play.

Pinciss, G. M. "The 'Heavenly Comforts of Despair' and Measure for Measure." Studies in English Literature 30, No. 2 (Spring 1990): 303-13. This article applies Protestant theology to Measure for Measure. Pinciss illustrates how the main characters must experience self-despair as a crucial step toward achieving spiritual enlightenment.

Reifer, Marcia. "'Instruments of Some More Mightier Member': The Constriction of Female Power in Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Quarterly 35, No. 2 (Summer 1984): 157-69. This piece examines Isabella's role within the play. Reifer views Isabella as a pivotal character in Shakespeare's works, representing a transition between the independent women of his comedies and the victimized women of his tragedies. Although she is articulate, she remains constrained.

Soellner, Rolf. "Measure for Measure: Looking into Oneself." In Shakespeare's Patterns of Self-Knowledge, pp. 215-36. Columbus: Ohio State University Press, 1972. This discussion focuses on the themes of justice and mercy in the play, particularly in relation to Angelo's character. Soellner argues that Angelo's actions demonstrate that individuals cannot judge others effectively or fairly until they have faced and judged themselves.

Thatcher, David. "Mercy and 'Natural Guiltiness' in Measure for Measure." Texas Studies in Literature and Language 37, No. 3 (Fall 1995): 264-84. This article examines Measure for Measure as a "problem play" and explores the tension between justice and mercy. Thatcher contends that Angelo is correct in claiming that "natural guiltiness"—the idea that a judge might have committed the same crime as the accused—is not a valid reason for acquittal.

Zender, Karl F. "Isabella's Choice." Philological Quarterly 73, No. 1 (Winter 1994): 77-93. This piece analyzes Isabella's choices regarding Angelo's proposition and the Duke's marriage offer. Zender argues that Isabella's decision to remain silent about Angelo's hypocrisy stems from her own preference for silence. Furthermore, Zender notes that Isabella's lack of response to the Duke's proposal, despite her likely desire to stay celibate, is necessitated by the play's classification as a comedy.