"Might there not be a charity in sin To save this brother's life?"

Thus the Duke's hypocritical deputy Angelo questions Isabella, a novice ardently pleading on behalf of her brother Claudio, condemned to death for the sin of fornication and for getting his lover with child. However, Isabella's pure purpose has the opposite effect on Angelo, as he begins to desire her and barters her chastity with Claudio's release.

Shakespeare's dark tragi-comedy embraces such controversial ideas as abuse of power, the temptations of the flesh and corruption of innocence. His exquisite poetry and web of intriguing characters, with the shining figure of Isabella at its centre, ensure Measure for Measure remains an enthralling and contemporary work.