Shakespeare & the Law: Measure for Measure on Trial
Tuesday 15 March 18.00 – 20.00, Inner Temple Hall

Students from The Dickson Poon School of Law and King’s Department of English will perform a Shakespearean trial based on Measure for Measure at Inner Temple. The distinguished arbitrators will be Lord Judge, Lady Justice Arden and Executive Dean Professor David D Caron. The event, which is open to the public as well as King’s staff and students, concludes the Shakespeare & the Law module jointly taught by The Dickson Poon School of Law and the Department of English.

Measure for Measure, one of Shakespeare most performed plays, ends with a trial in which Angelo is the accused. The Judge, Duke Vincentio, is the ruler of Vienna. He has resumed his authority after an absence during which Angelo was in charge and committed the crimes he is accused of. At the end of the trial the Duke pardons Angelo.

This mock trial questions the legality of the Duke’s pardon of Angelo. Here the Prosecutors seek a reversal of the pardon granted Angelo and argue that the law should be strictly applied with Angelo found guilty of blackmail and corruption. The second part of the trial questions the Duke’s legal and moral responsibility for maladministration and for relinquishing his obligations as a ruler. Here the Prosecutors seek that the Court find the Duke guilty of dereliction of duty and that the Court declare void the Duke’s later trial at the end of Measure for Measure.

A scene from Measure to Measure will be also performed during the evening – II.iv. Isabella will be played by Remmie Milner, and Angelo will be played by Mike Evans.

For information contact Hannah Crawforth: hannah.crawforth@kcl.ac.uk