Absent Duke Play

Measure for Measure can be described as an absent-duke play. The absent-duke play was most famously used by Ben Jonson. In it, the authority figure is missing, causing chaos amongst the characters left behind. When the duke or authority figure returns, order is restored and the characters are generally relieved.

Measure for Measure is only partly an absent-duke play, because the duke is still on in the vicinity, disguised as a friar. His disguise is so effective, however, that the characters begin to deviate from the norm. The duke's stand-in, Angelo, causes disruption in the society by enforcing long-forgotten laws in an excessively harsh manner. The duke's "absence" also allows characters to express their feelings freely, such as when the duke as the friar asks Lucio about his opinion about the duke (Act 3 Scene 1 lines 358 - 419).

As in an absent-duke play, it is not until the duke returns (or in this case, casts off his disguise) that social order is restored and justice is served.


Carolyn Wang
Discussion 1A
Amanda Waldo