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Measure for Measure

This drama is classified as a comedy play by William Shakespeare. However it is also referred to as a 'problem play', because it cannot be easily described as either a tragedy or comedy. The story of the plot centres on Angelo who has been empowered by the Duke of Vienna to rule his land, whilst he wanders about disguised as a friar to investigate the moral decay of his dukedom. Resorting to an old law against fornication to enforce his strict standards of morality, Angelo proceeds to condemn fornicators to death. One of these fornicators is Claudio , a young man who has had pre-marital sex with his fiancee. Claudio's sister Isabella pleads for her brother's life. Angelo's lust is aroused and he uses his power to blackmail Isabella into his bed. Fortunately the Duke overhears. Angelo ends up in the bed of Mariana , a woman from his undisclosed past. Claudio is allowed to live happily ever after with his fiancee, and the virtuous Isabella ends up the Duke of Vienna's bride

English
  • Originally Aired February 18, 1979
  • Runtime 145 minutes
  • Network BBC Two
  • Created August 17, 2015 by
    Administrator admin
  • Modified January 20, 2023 by
    Nik_S
Name Type Role
William Shakespeare Writer
Desmond Davis Director
Alun Armstrong Actor Provost
Christopher Strauli Actor Claudio
Adrienne Corri Actor Mistress Overdone
John McEnery Actor Lucio
Kenneth Colley Actor Duke
Jacqueline Pearce Actor Mariana
Kate Nelligan Actor Isabella
Frank Middlemass Actor Pompey
Tim Pigott-Smith Actor Angelo