‘Measure For Measure’ and Its Patriarchal Stance on Women’s Place and Double Standards

William Shakespeare's play ‘Measure for Measure’ has been deemed as one of Shakespeare's more “problematic plays”. On more than one occasion is there a situation that seems either questionable or outright strange. Already seemed as “problematic”, the stance in question which involves marriage and crime is also something that is deemed rather odd, and again questionable. Given the era this play was written in, it was deemed “appropriate” to be either married or in some form of a marital contract in order to be intimate with one's significant other. However, although this seemed acceptable, characters within the play are bashed and ridiculed for certain choices they made. Whether it comes to a man’s opinion on a woman’s status or a woman rarely had a say at all. One of the main topics of discussions is that of marriage, crime, and the relationship that forms between them. The other topic that can be discussed is women’s roles within the play, and how the law can lead to double standards between the genders and certain circumstances. The way Shakespeare portrays different situations within the relationships he’s created, whether it is an engagement or a non-binding contract, only furthers the argument of the relationship between commitment and crime. This sort of double standard can be seen as unjust and bizarre when the context is given. However, it further salifies the debate over just how powerful the patriarchal system was, and how it continues to affect certain instances that occur to this day. Women’s roles, the relationship between crime and marriage; including the scandals that could potentially follow, and how the law can be used in the case of double standards along with justice and punishment are just some of the many instances that occur within this rather odd play.

Perhaps, one of the more radical, yet not uncommon instances that occur within the play has to do with the role of women. There are two prime examples of how women are treated differently, raising questions and the notion of double standards. First, Isabella has chosen the path of chastity; virginity. She wishes to become a nun. As exclaimed by Claudio to Lucio, “this day my sister should cloister enter and there receive her approbation”. To add significance to a rather odd quote, Claudio’s fiancee Juliette is with a child. This is a problem for Claudio and Juliette because although it was consensual, it was against the law to entertain in premarital sex. Seeing as the couple was not yet married, Claudio was imprisoned for his crime”. The irony in this context is that Claudio is using his sister's choice of remaining celebrated and faithful to the church, to lighten the fact that he and his soon-to-be wife are pregnant. Isabella at this point has no knowledge of her brother's imprisonment, only adding to how naive and pure her character is. The second example of how women are treated differently based on their rank and social status has to do with the prostitutes. Sex work at the time was seen as illegal and frowned upon. This also draws in irony because men who were in higher positions of government and status were seen in the brothels in the suburbs. Being a prostitute gave the automatic response of being frowned upon, as it showed women could not conform to “respectable” and “proper” ideals set out for them by society. More astonishing than not, it is men who sometimes loathe their wives who seek these prostitutes, contradicting the very laws they put into place and claim to follow. The nature of bashing other women is not uncommon either. A gentleman named Elbow professes that many have heard of a woman who was “...plucked down in the suburbs: and now she professes a hothouse, which, i think, is a very ill house too”. Women who support other women are being shamed by men who use these hostels. Here have been demonstrated two different examples of how different women of different social classes are being pardoned for their choices. One follows a patriarchal society's view of showing men and oneself respect, while another is frowned upon for promoting a business and helping other women gather a means of income. Furthermore, not allowing women to explore their sexuality is “an indication of male fears regarding female agency”. This article continues to go on and say that “men fear that ny understanding erotic pleasure, pregnancy, and abortion, women will try to gain control over their own bodies…”. This puts women into a situation where even pleasure is not for the, it is for a man; thus continuing the judgment and gender role within this play.

The relationship between marriage, crime, and the law are somewhat hard to decipher. This is because most of the characters represented are in fact not married. However, some exceptions are made in terms of engagements and secret love children. Juliette and Claudios' punishment for premarital sex was for him to be executed. His sister Isabella, pleads for his life and even subjects to a master plan at tricking Angelo into “sleeping with her '', when in fact she switches places with Mariana in order to keep her purity. Again, this goes against the law because regardless of who is sleeping with who, neither party involved is married or in a marital contract. This also shows that these women will stop at nothing to get what they desire4 and even encourage law-breaking for one's own happiness. This contradicts what they all claim to “preach” because Angelo and Mariana have slept together in the past. This is a scandalous event to occur seeing that not only have they slept together in the past, but they were also once engaged, and Angelo called off the wedding when Mariana’s dowry was lost at sea. Angelo’s upset and anger over the plan not only shows character nature but in return betrothed Mariana once again to Angelo. “This deed unshapes me quite, makes me pregnant and dull to all proceedings”. The man who claimed to be so well versed as a law-abiding citizen is now revealed as a fraud. His punishment is to be married to Mariana, as opposed to beheading. Perhaps it was the sympathy from the duke or the mere fact that he got what he deserved instead of being narcissistic and full of himself. In this way, marriage, crime, and the law, as well as a form of punishment are all tied together in one package for Angelo, who awaits his fate with Mariana. Isabella, however, is not necessarily punished for the role she played. For someone who claims to be virtuous, she encourages premarital sex to save herself. Her punishment is the Duke’s proposal of marriage. The play does not give Isabella any lines after the Duke's apparent and sudden marriage proposal, posing a debate to whether she actually agreed to marriage or not. Regardless of her choice, she was one of those characters who had agreed to put herself into a situation which was not ideal to a certain degree and reaped the consequences afterward. Her virtue of being pure and naive was quickly demolished over her encouragement for provoking the sexual acts she was to perform instead be done by someone else.

Lastly, the law is used as a double standard in more ways than one. Isabella pleaded for Angelo saying that “my brother has but justice…”. This assumes the role of attorney for the defense of her brother, arguing that he is not guilty of the same crime as Claudio. The law repeatedly held double standards numerous times throughout this play. It has also been reviewed as a “straightforward Christian allegory where mercy pleads before God in a grand last judgment”. Although most of the characters seem to hold high standards and morals, this is quickly rebuked, as it has been shown on more than one occasion. The brothels and prostitutes are prime examples. Although that line of work is frowned upon, the brothels were not being shut down immediately and the prostitutes were not being punished per se. On the flip side, when people of authoritative figures have thrown themselves into a rather unacceptable situation, they are punished for it with jail and possible execution; leaving them to the unforgiving hands of the public and set to be made an example of. This would be how restoration is brought to a rather wayward society. However, it is deemed so easy when a woman is in the equation, and the men are not so lucky. Although Juliette and Claudio were to an extent pardoned for their acts of premarital sex, if that marital contract had not been there, Claudio for sure would have been executed and been made an example of. Then there were characters who had either abandoned or simply ignored their “significant others' ' and reaped those consequences according to how it would be seen fit. This showed how not only the law have instances of holding double standards, but it also brought to light what a patriarchal system would do to keep their men in power and the women, although could hold high socioeconomic status, were looked down upon as well. Thus, finishing off the illusion of patriarchy and a broken judicial system and the people who deem themselves fit to run such a system.

In conclusion, William Shakespeare's play ‘Measure For Measure’ left room for plot holes and plot twists, as well as how the contract of marriage coincides with crime, punishment, law, and double standards. This “problematic” play leaves so many questions which although may have different answers, proves how a writer can pass through so many messages. Claudio and Juliette, Isabella, Mariana, and Angelo all play the diverse roles of how a double standard, the patriarchal system is panned out, and the lengths people will go to restore order.

Works Cited

1. Shakespeare, William, et al. Measure for Measure. Modern Library, 2010.
2. Digangi, Mario. 'Pleasure and danger: measuring female sexuality in 'Measure for Measure.' (William Shakespeare's play).' ELH, vol. 60, no. 3, 1993, p. 589+. Gale Literature Resource Center, https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/apps/doc/A14538872/LitRC?u=yorku_main&sid=LitRC&xid=f6b45849. Accessed 5 Feb. 2020.
3. Magedanz, Stacy. 'Public Justice and Private Mercy in Measure for Measure.' Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 96, Gale, 2006. Gale Literature Resource Center, https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/apps/doc/H1420071362/LitRC?u=yorku_main&sid=LitRC&xid=f131442b. Accessed 5 Feb. 2020. Originally published in Studies in English Literature 1500-1900, vol. 44, no. 2, Spring 2004, pp. 317-332.
4. Widmayer, Martha. ''My Brother Had But Justice': Isabella's Plea for Angelo in Measure for Measure.' Shakespearean Criticism, edited by Michelle Lee, vol. 86, Gale, 2005. Gale Literature Resource Center, https://link-gale-com.ezproxy.library.yorku.ca/apps/doc/H1420063644/LitRC?u=yorku_main&sid=LitRC&xid=43e21dc6. Accessed 5 Feb. 2020. Originally published in Upstart Crow, vol. 19, 1999, pp. 62-77.