Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

Courtland Stokes
Purdue University Calumet
Human Intervention in the Absence of God
In Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure uncontrolled emotional desire is disrupting the social
norm. In specific sexual immorality is an “unregulated desire”. Vincentio, the Duke of Vienna leaves the
city, or so it is thought, in the hands of his deputy Angelo. Angelo, many literary critics regard is a
hypocrite. He enforces laws that he himself does not even purpose to keep. The Duke, in fact has not left at
all, but has went into disguise and watches with an almost “omnipotent” perspective, his real intentions are
undisclosed. The Duke wants to solve the city’s vices and to test the virtue of Vienna’s inhabitants. It is this
exercise, which reveals human emotion unchecked, but governed by authoritarian repression is not
impartial. Our human intervention and the methods we use to reinforce the laws that govern us—in the
absence of God, produce that authoritarian figure.
Many critics don’t seem to agree in their assessment of Measure for Measure. There are many
extreme viewpoints. Some perspectives express that Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeare’s greatest
works. Critics believe Shakespeare tackles “head on” social concerns of his time by masterfully dealing with
real issues of virtue, truth, justice and mercy. On the other spectrum Measure for Measure is highly
scrutinized for its inconsistency, and an abrupt “tacked on” ending which doesn’t really bring the play to a
natural and polished close. Many critics and scholars don’t seem to agree on much at all. Measure for Measure
centers around themes with biblical proportions like: mercy, justice, law, and order. It raises questions
that bring light to lingering issues in our “contemporary society” as to how far the laws of our society should
intrude into our personal lives; or how much should our human sympathies, compassion, our leniency, and
benevolence control the desire to exact justice? Tina Krontiris, in her work titled, “The omniscient ‘Auctor’:
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