Comparative essay- Murmuring Judges (David Hare) and Measure for Measure (Shakespeare) Good for A-Level Eng Lit+Lang (theme of power).

"My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in whatever hands it is placed. (Sir William Jones, 1835) The theme of power is addressed in different ways in each of the two plays. The title of Shakespeare's play, 'Measure for measure' is an indication for the audience of the possible themes and makes an allusion to the old testament teaching 'an eye for an eye' (Leviticus, 24:20) and also conjures the mental image of a pair …

…Isabella in the ordinary proletariat society Shakespeare enables the characters to analyse themselves, therefore evaluating their role as a subject of government and law. Shakespeare concludes with the notion that laws and the power of the government can never curtail human character; that of lust, licentiousness and sexuality. This idea is immortalised by Pompey who tells Escalus, the law enforcer 'the valiant heart's not whipped out of his trade.' Power cannot impede human nature.