Image source: Goodreads
- Book Title: Measure for Measure
- Author: William Shakespeare
- Year Published: 1603
- Goodreads Rating: 3.67/5
- Availability: Free version available here.
How to Read Measure for Measure in PDF Format
Reading Measure for Measure in PDF Reader Pro allows you to experience one of Shakespeare's darker comedies in a way that is convenient and customizable. The digital format gives you tools to highlight key sections, take notes, and quickly search for specific lines or themes, which is especially useful for studying its complex moral issues.
Measure for Measure deals with themes like justice, hypocrisy, and power, which remain relevant today, and a PDF reader can help you navigate these intricate ideas more easily. It also often includes additional features like footnotes or translations of Shakespeare's old English, making the play more accessible.
Plus, having it on a digital device allows you to read anywhere, making it a flexible and portable option for busy readers.
Our Review of Measure for Measure
Measure for Measure is a fascinating play that tackles issues like justice, morality, and the abuse of power. Set in a corrupt Vienna, the story begins when the Duke leaves town, putting Angelo, a strict, moralistic deputy, in charge.
Angelo enforces the city’s neglected laws with harshness, sentencing Claudio to death for getting his fiancée pregnant. When Claudio’s sister Isabella pleads for her brother’s life, Angelo offers her a cruel choice: give up her virginity to save her brother, or let him die. This leads to a tense, complicated plot full of moral dilemmas.
What makes Measure for Measure worth reading is how it challenges the idea of right and wrong. None of the characters are purely good or evil—everyone has shades of grey.
The Duke, who disguises himself to secretly watch over events, raises questions about leadership and control, while Angelo’s downfall shows how power can corrupt even those who seem virtuous. These themes still feel relevant, especially in conversations about authority, justice, and hypocrisy.
One fun fact about the play is that it was often categorized as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays” because it mixes comedy and drama in ways that make it hard to classify. It’s also a play that doesn’t give you easy answers—by the end, you’re left thinking about justice, mercy, and whether people really get what they deserve.
For anyone interested in thought-provoking stories that blend serious issues with some lighter moments, *Measure for Measure* is a great read. It’s not Shakespeare’s most famous work, but it offers something different—an exploration of human flaws and the consequences of unchecked authority, all wrapped in a story full of tension and intrigue.
You can also find free PDF versions of other Shakespeare books here:
3. Macbeth
5. King Lear
6. King John
10. Henry V
11. Henry VI, Part 1
12. Henry VI, Part 2
13. Henry VI, Part 3
14. Henry VIII
15. Hamlet
16. Cymbeline
17. Coriolanus
19. As You Like It
