Vowed and disavowed : religious, social, and political promises in Measure for measure

This investigation identifies religious and political vows and promises of individual characters in Measure for Measure and examines how characters feign, fulfill, commute, or repudiate promises. Religious vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, political oaths of office, societal marriage vows, and even mere promises between parties all result in contracts which demand trust. This dissertation focuses on promises as mental and verbal agreements which result in the exchange of one thing for another. The tension and disparity between intent and action become emblematic of opposing elements within and among the characters.