"Female Saints" and Daily Ethnics
Author: ZHANG Xin, Lecturer, School of Liberal Arts, Beijing Normal University
Abstract:
This article discusses the latent female Hagiagraphy in Shakespeare’s comedy A Measure for a Measure. The figure of the saint in the play represented the prevalent idea of chastity in the Middle Ages, and shows that the comedy’s main motif is sexuality. A Measure for a Measure discusses all kinds of attitudes to sexuality but promotes one which is affirming of everyday life. This choice shows the influence of Protestant ethics on Shakespeare. The article also argues that the “strong evaluation” of our lives influences our judgment of Shakespeare.
Keywords:
A Measure for a Measure; sexuality; saint; “strong evaluation”
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