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Measure for Measure by Tomson Highway: A Deep Dive into the Play's Themes and Characters

Raymond Chandler

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Published in Measure For Measure Tomson Highway

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Measure for Measure

by Tomson Highway

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	407 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	176 pages

Measure for Measure is a powerful and thought-provoking play by Canadian playwright Tomson Highway. First produced in 1994, the play explores themes of justice, mercy, and redemption through the lens of a complex and intricate plot. With its richly drawn characters and evocative language, Measure for Measure is a play that lingers in the mind long after the curtain has fallen.

Themes

Measure for Measure is a play that is rich in themes. Some of the most prominent themes include:

Justice and Mercy: The play explores the tension between justice and mercy. Is it more important to follow the letter of the law or to show compassion towards those who have broken it? This question is at the heart of the play's conflict.
Redemption and Forgiveness: The play also explores the themes of redemption and forgiveness. Can people who have done wrong ever be redeemed? Is it possible to forgive those who have wronged us? These are questions that the play's characters grapple with.
The Power of Love: The play also explores the power of love. Love can be a force for good in the world, but it can also be a source of pain and suffering. The play shows how love can both save and destroy.

Characters

The characters in Measure for Measure are complex and well-developed. Each character has their own unique motivations and desires, and their interactions create a rich tapestry of relationships. Some of the most notable characters include:

Violet: A young woman who is sentenced to death for having a child out of wedlock. Violet is a complex and sympathetic character who represents the play's themes of justice, mercy, and redemption.
Gabriel: Violet's lover and the father of her child. Gabriel is a good man who is trying to do the right thing, but he is ultimately unable to save Violet from her fate.
Judge: The judge who sentences Violet to death. The Judge is a harsh and unforgiving man who believes that the law must be followed to the letter.
Father: The priest who tries to help Violet and Gabriel. Father is a compassionate man who believes in the power of forgiveness and redemption.
Sister: The nun who helps Violet and Gabriel. Sister is a kind and caring woman who believes in the power of love.

Analysis and Interpretation

Measure for Measure is a play that has been interpreted in many different ways. Some critics have seen it as a condemnation of the justice system, while others have seen it as a celebration of the power of love. The play's complex characters and intricate plotlines make it open to a wide range of interpretations.

One of the most common interpretations of Measure for Measure is that it is a play about the tension between justice and mercy. The play shows how the law can be used to both punish and protect. It also shows how compassion can sometimes be more important than following the letter of the law.

Another common interpretation of Measure for Measure is that it is a play about the power of love. The play shows how love can both save and destroy. It also shows how love can be a force for good in the world.

Measure for Measure is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores themes of justice, mercy, and redemption. The play's complex characters and intricate plotlines create a rich tapestry that is both captivating and challenging. Measure for Measure is a play that will stay with you long after you have seen it.

Measure for Measure

by Tomson Highway

4.5 out of 5