Measure for Measure Measure for Measure Synopses Act II Contents Guide Recent Measure for Measure Contents Introduction Timeline Images Author(s) Shakespeare, William 1564 - 1582: William Shakespeare's Stratford Beginnings 1582 - 1592: William Shakespeare's Marriage, Parenthood and Early Occupation 1592 - 1594: William Shakespeare's Life In London, part 1 1594 - 1611: William Shakespeare's Life In London, part 2 1594 - 1611: William Shakespeare's Life In London, part 3 1611 - 1616: William Shakespeare - Back to Stratford The context of Measure for MeasureSocial / political contextThe Catholic heritageThe Tudor monarchyThe grounds for divorceSeparating from the Catholic churchProtestant versus CatholicThe situation in Shakespeare's dayThe Stuart monarchyMore on James' mother, Mary Queen of ScotsReligious / philosophical contextDivine right of kingsMore on rebellion against the kingThe RenaissanceThe ReformationThe TheatreMystery and morality playsPermanent TheatresDesign of theatresThe role of womenMeasure for Measure SynopsesAct IAct I, scene iAct I, scene iiMore on sexually transmitted diseasesAct I, scene iiiAct I, scene ivAct IIAct II, scene iMore on justice versus mercyAct II, scene iiMore on justice and mercy in ShakespeareAct II, scene iiiAct II, scene ivAct IIIAct III, scene iAct III, scene iiAct IVAct IV, scene iAct IV, scene iiMore about life and death imageryAct IV, scene iiiAct IV, scene ivAct IV, scene vAct IV scene viAct VAct V, scene iStructureJuxtaposition of scenesDramatic ironyTime-scaleMarianaThe bed-trickThe ambiguous endingCharacterisationThe DukeIsabellaAngeloLucioClaudioEscalusJulietMistress OverdoneMarianaThe ProvostPompeyElbowAbhorsonFrothBarnardineThemes and significant ideasSetting Measure for Measure within a Christian world viewJudgement on earth and in heavenThe nature of humanityThe role of governmentImagery and symbolismDisguise and seemingMoney and materialismShakespeare's LanguageThe evolution of the languageThee, thou and youThe royal pluralBlank verse, prose & rhymeVariations from the normLanguage as a weaponSettingsViennaThe Duke's courtThe city streetsThe court of justiceThe prisonThe friaryThe nunneryAngelo's gardenThe moated grangeCritical analysisHow to approach the questionA worked exampleSample essay answerApproaching exams and essaysWhat makes a good English exam answer?How to plan an essayPossible essay questionsEngaging with the textResources and further readingBooklistWebsite resourcesTheatre and mediaWorksheet downloadsTimeline of Shakespeare's works Act II Tweet Recently Viewed Measure for Measure » Act II now Scan and go Scan on your mobile for direct link.