Measure for Measure Morality Shakespeare's play, Measure for Measure, focuses on human morality. The show also explores the question of what kind of sexual conduct is socially acceptable and what is not. The show depicts various attitudes towards prostitution, promiscuity and premarital sex. But it also suggests that human laws and perhaps human morality are rather arbitrary and relative. Measure for Measure considers the need for statutes and laws to govern sexual appetites and ensure domestic tranquility. But it also focuses on the conflict between human actions and human moral values, especially as it manifests itself in the question of appearance and being. The Duke himself notes the difference between appearance and reality when speaking of his deputy Angelo, who appears as a perfect deputy and with a disciplined (even puritan) character. Noting Angelo's character, the Duke also questions the integrity of his inner and outer world: Lord Angelo is precise; He stands guard with envy; he hardly confesses that his blood flows, or that his appetite is more like bread than stone: so we will see, if power changes purpose, what our appearances will be. Angelo ultimately proves to be a seemer, one whose declarations of virtue and self-control do not match his behavior. But calling him a hypocrite misses the mark: He's as surprised by his lust as anyone else, at least in his debut, and initially questions his moral status. His virtue has always been real to him, and his slide into sin takes him by surprise. When he finds himself longing for Isabella, he exclaims in surprise, What is this, what is this? Is it his fault or mine? The tempter or the tempted, who sins more? Ah! No... middle of the paper... objective standards but based on what the traffic will tolerate. Works Cited Black, James. “The unfolding of measure by measure.” Shakespeare Survey 26 (1973): 119-28.Knight, G. Wilson. Shakespeare and morality. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1967. Leech, Clifford. "The 'Meaning' of Measure for Measure." Shakespeare Survey 3 (1950): 69-71. Milward, Peter. Shakespeare's religious context. Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1973. New American Standard Bible. Reference ed. Chicago: Moody Press, 1975.Shakespeare, William. Measure for measure. The Arden Shakespeare. Ed. JW Leva. London: Routledge, 1995.Thomas, Vivian. The moral universe of Shakespeare's problematic works. London: Croom Helm, 1987. Wilders, John. "The problematic comedies". In Wells, Stanley, ed. Shakespeare: select bibliographic guides. London: Oxford UP, 1973.