Postcolonialism In Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure

Abstract

            This study analyses the aspects of postcolonialism in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. In this play Shakespeare has given equal respect to the powerful and the powerless like a postcolonial writer. In his view the authoritative and the criminal are both humanbeings. The authoritative has no rights to treat the criminal as a subaltern because he himself has faults like others. Hence no man can be a perfect judge. The powerful men holding high official positions have their symbols of authority but their mercy towards others gives more grace to them than their symbols of authority. Angelo stands for the strict legality of the Old Testament contrasted with Isabella who stands for mercy espoused by the New Testament. The Duke shows his magnanimity by forgiving almost all the criminals in the play. Thus the message of the play does not contain in Old Testament’s measure for measure but in New Testament’s plea for mercy.