Interpretations+ Dramatisations 2

Question 1

Coleridge 1834

Answer 1

Too dark to enjoy; characters too flawed
Called Measure the only “painful” Shakespeare play.
Angelo is “disgusting” and “unforgivable” – degrading to women.
🧠 Memory Tip: “Coleridge cries – too painful, too gross, too flawed.”

Question 2

Adelman- 1941

Answer 2

Bed trick = women lose identity, become interchangeable.
Highlights how female bodies were not under their own control.
Marriage as punishment = depersonalised love.
Duke and Angelo fail to govern sexuality and morality. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Adelman = All about the bed – women blurred, love is a lie.”

Question 3

Wheeler- 1935-2019

Answer 3

Key Idea: Comedy form, tragedy content – sex and love are corrupt
Play is a tragi-drama: darker than typical comedy.
Duke avoids family and sex – opposite of comedy’s joy.
Ending doesn’t fix anything – same corruption continues. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Wheeler = We’re still messed up at the end.”

Question 4

Early Interpretations (17th Century)

Answer 4

Key Idea: Play seen as funny and moral
Viewed as a romantic comedy with disguises and marriages.
Isabella seen as pure, Duke as merciful.
Ending praised as restoring order over chaos. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Early = Everything’s fine. Just trust the Duke.”

Question 5

Modern Interpretations- 20 Cenutry

Answer 5

Modern Interpretations – Power, Corruption, Silence
Key Idea: Corruption, sexism, and silenced women
Prostitutes silenced, men dominate dialogue and power.
Secrecy, deceit, and authoritarian coercion shape the city.
Critique of social hierarchy and failed justice. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Modern = Male control, muted women.”

Question 6

Freudian Interpretations

Answer 6

Key Idea: Sexual repression and ego battles rule everyone
Duke, Isabella, Angelo = ego vs id struggles.
Mistress Overdone = pure id (pleasure).
Repression leads to moral breakdowns and internal conflict. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Freud = Freaky minds, forbidden urges.

Question 7

Feminist- 21st Century

Answer 7

Key Idea: Men dominate, women used and abused
Isabella wants autonomy, Mariana forced to marry.
Lucio = misogyny embodied (abandons, mocks, shames women).
Women categorised by sexual status. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Feminism = Fight the patriarchy.”

Question 8

Pimlott (1994)

Answer 8

Key Idea: Characters fall apart under pressure
Victorian setting = class tension.
Duke = sinister, Isabella = emotional wreck.
Angelo = tragic, cries for death. 🧠 Memory Tip: “Pimlott = People break down.”