Bondage of the Will: The Limitations of Political Theology in Measure for Measure

Abstract

Although Peter Lake and Debora Shuger have argued that Measure for Measure is hostile to Calvinist theology, I argue that the play’s world presents a Reformed theo-political sensibility, not in order to criticize Calvinism, but to reveal limitations in dominant political theories. Reformed theology informs the world of the play, especially with regards to the corruption of the human will through original sin. Politically, the sinfulness of the human will raises concerns about governments—despite Biblical commands to obey leaders, how can they be trusted if subject to the same corruption of will as citizens? Close analysis of key passages reveals that while individual characters in Measure suggest solutions that account in part for the corruption of the will, none of their political theories manage to contain the radical effects of sin in Angelo’s will. Despite this failure, restorative justice occurs in Act 5, indicating forces outside of human authority and will account for the comedic ending. This gestures towards the dependence of governments in a post-Reformation world on providential protection and reveals why the Reformed belief in the limitations of the human will point towards the collapse of the theory of the King’s two bodies.

Religion and Theatrical Drama

“…Fortunately, the company created a professional, theatrical film of the production for educational purposes; however, like many recorded theatrical performances the frisson with the audience is absent. Nevertheless, the recording, coupled 1 See, for example, (Beckwith 2011;Besteman 2019;Goossen 2012;Smith 2018;Shuger 2001;Schleiner 1982;Knight 2001;Whalen 2014;Bradizza 2018;Rust 2019). 2 I recognize that the description of the theatrical experience above is subjective; however, whether each individual felt the 'engagement' of the performance, does not undermine that the intent of the design and staging was to engage the audience.…”

“Fantastic Tricks before High Heaven,” Measure for Measure and Performing Triads

“…Fortunately, the company created a professional, theatrical film of the production for educational purposes; however, like many recorded theatrical performances the frisson with the audience is absent. Nevertheless, the recording, coupled 1 See, for example, (Beckwith 2011;Besteman 2019;Goossen 2012;Smith 2018;Shuger 2001;Schleiner 1982;Knight 2001;Whalen 2014;Bradizza 2018;Rust 2019).…”

Introduction to “Religions in Shakespeare’s Writings”

“…Although such ramifications are evident on some level in each contribution, they can be seen most explicitly in three essays. In (Besteman 2019), Bethany Besteman argues that Measure for Measure "presents a Reformed theo-political sensibility, not in order to criticize Calvinism, but to reveal limitations in dominant political theories" (Besteman 2019, p. 1). In (Mohamed 2019), Feisal Mohamed explores manifestations of Roman religion and Christianity in The Rape of Lucrece to demonstrate how "the resources of both" religions offer Lucrece "an aura of purity accentuating the profanity of the political" (Mohamed 2019, p. 3).…”

“…Smith (2018b) emphasizes the relevance in Measure for Measure of various parables of Jesus, also observing how the Mosaic law, as presented in Leviticus 24 and understood in Romans 4, pertains to the play's complex presentation of justice and mercy. Similarly, but from its own distinct perspective, Besteman (2019) emphasizes how, in the same play, matters of law, punishment, and mercy are illuminated by Romans 6: 7-8, 7:19, 7:23, and 9:18. Lockerd (2019) notes how Hamlet's allusions to matters of sexual fruitfulness, the Godlike nature of humanity, the resurrection of the body, and God's sovereignty over life and death, as expressed, respectively, in Genesis 1:28, Psalm 8:4-6, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and Matthew 10:29, help illustrate the tension Lockerd sees between Hamlet's Albigensian and more orthodox Christian rhetoric.…”