INTRODUCTION

LITERARY HISTORY

Measure for Measure was first printed in the Folio of 1623. No external evidence as to its date has been found, and the internal evidence is both slight and doubtful. Tyrwhitt considered that two passages in the early part of the play contain an allusion to the demeanour of James I. on his entry into England at the time of his accession in 1603. In i. 1. 68–73 the Duke says:

Again, in ii. 4. 24-30 it is observed by Angelo:

“I cannot help thinking,” says Tyrwhitt, “that Shakspeare, in these two passages, intended to flatter the unkingly weakness of James the First, which made him so impatient of the crowds that flocked to see him, especially upon his first coming, that, as some historians say, he restrained them by a proclamation.” The Old-Spelling editors quote in their notes the following corroborative passage : “But our King coming through the North (Banquetting, and Feasting by the way) the applause of the people in so obsequious, and submissive a manner (still admiring Change) was checkt by an honest plain Scotsman (unused to such humble acclamations with a Prophetical expression; This people will spoyl a gud King.