As Hanann and I discussed Measure for Measure on Slack we noted Shakespeare's ambiguous stance on morality. Angelo's villainy does not reside in his desire to have sex with Isabella, but the contradictory nature of his desire, as he is executing Claudio for the sin he wishes and designs to commit. The play's characters certainly lie on a wide spectrum of morality, as Angelo is characterized as demonstrating no integrity or morality, while Isabella is epitomized as the pure figure of morality and integrity.
Some might certainly point to Shakespeare's own morality when analyzing the moral intent of his play, as his child was born shortly after his own marriage. Disregarding his personal life experience, is becomes evident throughout the play that Shakespeare suggests that sexuality is natural, as even Lucio observes the naturality of sexuality in nature itself in the screen shot included above. He refers to Angelo's strict enforcement of the sexual law when he states, "sparrows must not build in his house-eaves, because they are lecherous." I started to conclude that Shakespeare sought to convey that sexuality even celibacy is fine, but one must remain true to oneself. Although Isabella seeks to yoke herself to a life of celibacy in the play's beginning as she enters a convent, she too yields to the sexuality of love when she consents to marry the Duke in the ending of the play. Each character within Measure for Measure undergoes a transformation throughout the play, but all the characters inevitably experience a more realistic conception of sexuality.
If I were to research this topic further, I would love to be able to reference film adaptations of the play, but I found that there are not many modern adaptations to refer to. I was particularly interested in listening/watching Wagner's Liebesverbot, as this opera was derived from Measure for Measure. I would love to explore how the music depicts each character's sexuality and whether the music positively represents sexuality through the play, or condemns it. This might be a little abstract, but it would be interesting to explore!
I think that you might find this article interesting and helpful if you choose to pursue this idea further: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4174611?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=%22measure%20for%20measure%22&searchText=,&searchText=sexuality&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3D%2522measure%2Bfor%2Bmeasure%2522%252C%2Bsexuality%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bwc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff%26amp%3Bgroup%3Dnone&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
ReplyDeleteIt's titled "Isabella's Order: Religious Acts and Personal Desires in Measure for Measure." It directly links religion to sexuality, and it would be interesting to investigate how one's perception of sexual morality is tied to religion.
I read this play in a class last semester and it fascinated me, for many of the same reasons that you referenced here. The references to sexuality were so interesting because they subtly pervaded the play (at times, not so subtly). I think your research on sexuality here could yield really interesting results and your paper would be insightful. Something I would suggest is looking at other works by Shakespeare that reference human sexuality. Almost all of his plays reference it, but focusing on his sonnets might yield great results as well. A specific one that comes to mind would be sonnet 129. The final couplet reads "All this the world well knows; yet none knows well/To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell." The entire sonnet talks about lust, and Shakespeare's conflicted views of sexuality are pervasive. This could be of interest to your topic, I think.
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely plenty of plays and sonnets to refer to regarding sexuality! I think it's interesting that sonnet 129 reflects the conflicted nature of lust and love that permeate many of Shakespeare's plays. I feel like if I could unveil the meaning of sexuality within the play, then I could better understand the complexity of mercy and justice within the play. Great idea concerning the sonnet!
DeleteI read this play in a class last semester and it fascinated me, for many of the same reasons that you referenced here. The references to sexuality were so interesting because they subtly pervaded the play (at times, not so subtly). I think your research on sexuality here could yield really interesting results and your paper would be insightful. Something I would suggest is looking at other works by Shakespeare that reference human sexuality. Almost all of his plays reference it, but focusing on his sonnets might yield great results as well. A specific one that comes to mind would be sonnet 129. The final couplet reads "All this the world well knows; yet none knows well/To shun the heaven that leads men to this hell." The entire sonnet talks about lust, and Shakespeare's conflicted views of sexuality are pervasive. This could be of interest to your topic, I think.
ReplyDeleteStella, this is a great topic. It is terribly ambiguous in the play as to what exactly is being condemned, other than hypocrisy. Does sexual repression inevitably lead to characters like Angelo, who oppress others and themselves try to act out of their own repression? (By the way, isn't Angelo just another version of Frollo?) I found this blog that connects sexuality, Shakespeare, and Liebesverbot. It might be a jumping-off point or help you to refine your ideas if you decide to watch the opera.
ReplyDeletehttp://bloggingshakespeare.com/shakespeare-and-revolutionary-sex
haha wow, thanks Isaac! I had no idea that there was an article that addresses all three threads! I agree, Angelo's sexual repression is self-destructive, yet I would need to explore Isabella's sexual repression or celibacy in a similar manner.
DeleteGreat suggestions from classmates -- Also I love the Wagner possibility.
ReplyDelete