One of Shakespeare’s most troubling plays, Measure for Measure is set in Vienna, where the Duke has handed power to the puritanical Angelo — who promptly condemns a young man to death for fornication, then offers to spare him if his sister sleeps with him. The play is a comedy only in its formal resolution, and has generated more unease than almost any other work in the canon.
Written around 1603–1604, it is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand Shakespeare’s full range. This free EPUB is formatted for any e-reader.