Measure for Measure

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) is the most influential writer in English history. Shakespeare has been called The Barb of Avon and England's national poet. There are 2 narrative poems, 154 sonnets and 38 plays in his collected works. He began work as an actor and writer in London first writing comedies and historic plays. He later wrote tragedies. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Othello are some of his more famous plays. Measure for Measure was written around 1603 and is considered to be one of Shakespeare's problem plays. When Vincentio leaves the city government in the hands of judge Angelo the laws against fornication which had been laxly enforced would now be more strictly observed. When a young couple is caught expecting a child out of wedlock the man is sentenced to death. Vincentio is disguised as a friar to spy on the doings in his city and aids in a plan to stop Angelo.