ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Measure for Measure, a “dark” comedy in five acts by William Shakespeare, written about 1603–04 and published in the First Folio of 1623 from a transcript of an authorial draft. The play examines the complex interplay of mercy and justice.

Detailed explanation-2: -Although included in the comedy section of the First Folio, Measure for Measure has been called tragedy, tragicomedy, satire, and allegory by its critics. Scholars have argued that the play is a comedy only by the force of the contrived happy ending.

Detailed explanation-3: -Notable examples of tragicomedy by William Shakespeare are The Merchant of Venice (1596–97), The Winter’s Tale (1610–11), and The Tempest (1611–12).

Detailed explanation-4: -Measure for Measure has both elements of tragedy and a bit of comedy. However, it is neither of them and is categorized as a problem play.