Measure for Measure

by William Shakespeare

Measure for Measure: Genre 1 key example

Read our modern English translation.
Genre
Explanation and Analysis:

Scholars generally identify Measure for Measure as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays." In Shakespeare’s day, plays were generally classified as either histories, comedies, or tragedies. In the Folio, the first printed collection of Shakespeare’s plays, Measure for Measure was listed as a comedy, and indeed, there are many comedic elements in the play. As is typical of Shakespearean comedy, Measure for Measure is full of puns and clever wordplay, features a number of absurd, foolish, and outlandish characters, and most importantly, has a “happy” ending.