CliffsNotes on

Measure for Measure

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Play Summary

William Shakespeare Biography

About Measure for Measure

Summary, Analysis, and Original Text by Act

Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V

Character List

Character Analysis

Isabella
Angelo
The Duke
Lucio
Escalus
Claudio

Critical Essays

Form in Measure for Measure
Subplot in Measure for Measure
The Substitute Bed Partner in Measure for Measure
Title of Measure for Measure
Themes in Measure for Measure
Relationship to Shakespeare's Other Plays

Study and Homework Help

Famous Measure for Measure Quotes
Film Versions of Measure for Measure
Quiz

Cite this Literature Note

Should the government bail out the auto industry?

Yes, it's too important to our economy.
No, the government is already broke enough.
Only with strict regulations on how they can spend the money.

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Study and Homework Help

Quiz

1:  The basic plot of Measure for Measure wasn't new to that play; rather, its ultimate source was a historical incident supposed to have occurred near

a. Florence in 1525

b. Milan in 1547

c. Rome in 1580

d. Naples in 1600
2:  Which of the following was not written during the same period as the Shakespeare's great tragedies (1601 to 1608)?

a. Troilus and Cressida

b. All's Well that Ends Well

c. Measure for Measure

d. Midsummer Night's Dream
3:  In considering Claudio's sexual blackmail, Isabella is not weighing her brother's life against her virginity, but Claudio's life on earth against

a. reinstating her brother's reputation

b. the everlasting life of her immortal soul

c. his chances of living in hell

d. the remainder of her mortal life
4:  The theme of Measure for Measure is

a. the light of hope in the face of defeat

b. the importance of laughter despite tragedy

c. the temperance of justice with mercy

d. the importance of being earnest
5:  Given the choice of serving a prison term or becoming an executioner's assistant, Pompey chooses to

a. serve a prison term of "two-score years"

b. run away in the middle of the night

c. learn a new trade -- executioner's assistant

d. commit suicide rather than "wither away to a slow death in prison"
6:  In order to go unrecognized among his subjects, the Duke is disguised as a

a. a servant

b. an executioner

c. a nun

d. a friar
7:  The Duke assures Mariana that the "substitute bed partner" scheme is not immoral or dishonorable, because

a. the Duke himself thought up the scheme

b. Angelo is Mariana's "husband on a pre-contract"

c. it was acceptable behavior during the Renaissance

d. neither partner was a virgin
8:  Angelo reneges on his promise to Isabella that he would free her brother, because he

a. feared that Claudio, if freed, would take his revenge

b. is cruel and amoral

c. intended to carry out the letter of the law, no matter what

d. was obeying orders from the Duke
9:  Who said the following: “Who is it that hath died for this offence? / There's many have committed it."

a. Isabella

b. Juliet

c. the Duke

d. Francisca
10:  Who said the following: “An Angelo for Claudio, death for death! / Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; / Like doth quit like, and Measure still for Measure."

a. Barnardine

b. the Provost

c. the Duke

d. Escalus
11:  Who said the following: “I crave death more willingly than mercy."

a. Pompey

b. Angelo

c. Claudio

d. Peter
12:  Who said the following: "Here comes a man of comfort, whose advice / Hath often still'd my brawling discontent"

a. Lucio

b. Francisca

c. Mistress Overdone

d. Mariana



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