Measure for Measure: Themes

Judgment: This theme explores the concept of moral and legal judgement, such as the Duke’s experiment in justice through appointing Angelo, raising questions about fairness and hypocrisy.
Punishment: It addresses the consequences of people’s actions, specifically the severity of laws in Vienna and the extreme punishment Angelo imposes on Claudio.
Sex: The play investigates the societal and religious attitudes towards sexual desire and transgression, exhibited through the illicit pregnancy of Juliet and the proposal of extortionary sexual coercion by Angelo.
Marriage: This theme discusses the institution of marriage, shown through Claudio and Juliet’s premarital pregnancy and the forcible marriage proposal by Angelo to Isabella.
Religion: Highlighted through Isabella’s convent life and Angelo’s puritanical views, this theme explores the role and influence of religious ethics and standards in society.
The Role of Women: It exposes the condition and power dynamics of women in a patriarchal society, portrayed through characters of Isabella, Mariana, and Juliet, showcasing their varying degrees of agency and victimisation.