Kyle Coons
ERH-321WX-01
Short Assignment on Measure for Measure
10/31/17
Help Received: Measure for Measure, Microsoft Word, Class Hand-Outs
Part 1:
The early modern perspectives in England on marriage are directly reflected in Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure. There are direct correlations with how both the man and woman are viewed inside and outside of marriage. Marriage during this time “was not merely a social institution, but, some would argue, the social institution upon which all others depended” (Kamps and Raber 181). The social institution of marriage was far from simple. The social status each person held during this time was directly related back to marriage. This was particularly true for women in the culture during the early modern period in England as they were viewed as property transferred from father to husband through the ceremony and law incorporated in marriage.
Marriage during the time Shakespeare had written this play had been tied into two different traditions. One that was presented through the trouble Claudio and Juliet got into was the rejection of just spoken vows. This was derived from the changes Henry III made on English common law during this early modern period in England. The contrast came from what was widely accepted through church law, with marriage through the revamped common law needed to be widely accepted and approved from larger social groups. This led to an unaccepting view to be placed upon marital actions taking place before the common law was achieved. The status of marriage was particularly essential to women. “Renaissance playgoers believed that women were highly sexual, and likely as the “weaker sex” to give in to their passions; marriage served as a control over this tendency to stray. Husbands were to “master” their wives” (Kamps and Raber 188). Most viewed women as to hold one of three statuses, those being a maid, widow, or wife. Those not fitting into any of the three statues, i.e. a nun, were viewed as unnatural because they were unable to fill the role women were supposedly meant to fit.
Part 2:
Measure for Measure reflects the views early modern England had on marriage through the actions Angelo takes in reference to Claudio’s supposed premarital sexual relations with Juliet. Angelo had been hastily commissioned in place of the absent Duke to carry out Vienna laws. This case was the first to be brought to him, and according to the law Claudio was not in fact completely married to Juliet, yet she was carrying their baby. As far as Claudio and Juliet had known they were in fact married but waiting for Juliet’s dowry. The marriage was known within their small group of friends but had yet to be approved by her friends and family. The approval was “remaining in the coffer of her friends, / From whom we thought it meet to hide our love / Till time had made them for us” (I. 2. 124-126). This suggests that according to the church law defined earlier in Part 1 Claudio and Juliet were legally married. In contrast, according to common law, they had yet to receive a broader scale approval, especially from her side. Angelo, representing the bearer of common law during Shakespeare’s time, saw this as a clear-cut case that they were not in fact married therefore Claudio deserved the full force from the letter of the law.
Isabella attempted to seek mercy for her brother’s actions from Angelo. She asked Angelo “Yet show some pity” (II. 2. 104). Angelo then follows up with a stern stance on his attempt to reinforce the letter of the law by stating “I show it most of all when I show justice; / For then I pity those I do not know, / Which a dismissed offense would after gall, / And do him right that answering one foul wrong, / Lives not to act another. Be satisfied; / Your brother dies tomorrow. Be content” (II. 2. 105-110). Angelo’s mindset on going through with this punishment for the specific case, as to warn others so that it is not to persist, suggests that this was a common problem that was in the process of trying to be rid of. Not only in the play but also in the early modern period in England.

Works Cited
Kamps, Ivo and Raber, Karen, ed.. Measure for Measure. By William Shakespeare. New York:
Bedford, 2004. Print.
Shakespeare, William. Measure for Measure,. Ed. Ivo Kamps and Karen Raber. New York:
Bedford, 2004. Print.