
Measure for Measure: A Critical Reader
A Critical Reader
The Arden Shakespeare (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 11. December 2025
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-350-40903-3 (ISBN)
Description
This scholarly guide to Measure for Measure highlights its unique position in the Shakespeare canon by covering its nuanced performance history and critical backstory.
Measure for Measure broke new ground in Shakespeare's dramatic writing by rejecting the formulae of comedy and tragedy. Issues at the heart of the play including gender equality, rape, judicial process, political authority, slander, and equality before the law provide rich material for teaching and studying. Contributors connect the specifics of these themes from the early modern context to the present day and make crucial interventions to contemporary criticism on the play. Such interpretations explore how sexual politics, reputation, the reformation, ethics, and law shape Measure for Measure for a 21st century audience. Through a wide range of essays, the book provides a comprehensive guide to this criticism as well as its recent stage history that will be useful for scholars and students alike.
Measure for Measure broke new ground in Shakespeare's dramatic writing by rejecting the formulae of comedy and tragedy. Issues at the heart of the play including gender equality, rape, judicial process, political authority, slander, and equality before the law provide rich material for teaching and studying. Contributors connect the specifics of these themes from the early modern context to the present day and make crucial interventions to contemporary criticism on the play. Such interpretations explore how sexual politics, reputation, the reformation, ethics, and law shape Measure for Measure for a 21st century audience. Through a wide range of essays, the book provides a comprehensive guide to this criticism as well as its recent stage history that will be useful for scholars and students alike.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
494 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-40903-3 (9781350409033)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

John Jowett | Sarah Olive
Measure for Measure: A Critical Reader
E-Book
11/2025
1st Edition
The Arden Shakespeare
€88.99
Available for download

John Jowett | Sarah Olive
Measure for Measure: A Critical Reader
E-Book
11/2025
1st Edition
The Arden Shakespeare
€88.99
Available for download
Persons
John Jowett is Emeritus Professor at the Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham, UK.
Sarah Olive is Senior Lecturer in the Communication and Culture department, Aston University, UK.
Sarah Olive is Senior Lecturer in the Communication and Culture department, Aston University, UK.
Content
1. Timeline, Sarah Olive
2. Introduction, John Jowett and Sarah Olive
3. The Critical Backstory, Suzanne Gossett
4. Performance History: Stage
5. Performance History: Screen and Multimedia, Sarah Hatchuel
6. The State of the Art
New Directions
7. Sexual Politics
8. Impression, Harry Newman
9. Credit and Reputation, Laura Kolb
10. Politics and Ethics, Alexander Thom
11. Reformation and Free Will
12. Government and Law
13. Resources, Sarah Olive
2. Introduction, John Jowett and Sarah Olive
3. The Critical Backstory, Suzanne Gossett
4. Performance History: Stage
5. Performance History: Screen and Multimedia, Sarah Hatchuel
6. The State of the Art
New Directions
7. Sexual Politics
8. Impression, Harry Newman
9. Credit and Reputation, Laura Kolb
10. Politics and Ethics, Alexander Thom
11. Reformation and Free Will
12. Government and Law
13. Resources, Sarah Olive