Measure For Measure

Throughout Measure for Measure, Shakespeare explores the problems with earthly forms of justice in the city of Vienna, and points out the incongruities between this earthly justice and divine, Christian justice.

The laws of Vienna are meant to prevent immoral behavior, but Duke Vincentio points out that they have not been properly enforced, leading to the proliferation of brothels in the suburbs. He laments that:

We have strict statutes and most biting laws.

The needful bits and curbs to headstrong weeds,

Which for this nineteen years we have let slip;

Even like an o’ergrown lion in a cave,

That goes not out to prey (I.3.309-313).

Vincentio’s language draws upon the natural behaviors of animals in the wild, implying that his subjects are like horses in need of taming or like “weeds” in need of pruning while the ruler is like a “lion” meant to inspire fear. This metaphor indicates that laws are a way to civilize and tame the animalistic side of humans. However, strictly enforcing the laws does not solve the problem either, as these wild impulses still exist and cannot be eradicated from human nature. While Angelo begins harshly punishing those guilty of premarital sex, he is himself guilty of soliciting that same vice.