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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Measure for Measure
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(c.1604) Play by *Shakespeare which is a comedy in that it has a happy ending, but is so dark in tone that it is often described (like *All's Well of the same period) as a 'problem' play. Vincentio, duke of Vienna, hands over control to his deputy, Angelo, and disguises himself as a friar to watch the results. Angelo begins by introducing extreme puritan measures but in no time is suggesting that he will spare the life of Claudio if he can sleep with his sister, Isabella, a novice nun. After further villainies the disguised duke declares himself and then wraps matters up by insisting upon four marriages, at least two of them totally unsuitable.
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