Measure for Measure is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to be written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604, according to available records. It was published in the First Folio of 1623. The play's plot features its protagonist, Duke Vincentio of Vienna, stepping out from public life to observe the affairs of the city under the governance of his deputy, Angelo. Angelo's harsh and ascetic public image is compared to his abhorrent personal conduct once in office, in which he exploits his power to procure a sexual favour from Isabella, whom he considers enigmatically beautiful. The tension in the play is eventually resolved through Duke Vincentio's intervention, which is considered an early use of the deus ex machina in English literature. Measure for Measure was printed as a comedy in the First Folio and continues to be classified as one. Though it shares features with other Shakespearean comedies, such as the use of wordplay and irony, and the employment of disguise and substitution as plot devices, it also features tragic elements
Measure for Measure es una obra de William Shakespeare, que se cree que fue escrita en 1603 o 1604 y interpretada por primera vez en 1604, según los registros disponibles. Se publicó en el Primer Folio de 1623. La trama de la obra presenta a su protagonista, el duque Vincentio de Viena, saliendo de la vida pública para observar los asuntos de la ciudad bajo el gobierno de su vicepresidente, Angelo. La imagen pública dura y ascética de Angelo se compara con su comportamiento personal aborrecido una vez en el cargo, en el que explota su poder para obtener un favor sexual de Isabella, a quien considera enigmáticamente hermoso. La tensión en la obra se resuelve finalmente a través de la intervención del duque Vincentio, que se considera un uso temprano del deus ex machina en la literatura inglesa. Measure for Measure fue impreso como una comedia en el Primer Folio y continúa siendo clasificado como uno.