Vienna is out of control, overrun by brothels, bars, and deviant characters. The Duke, in hopes of restoring order to his city, leaves moralistic and stern Angelo in charge. Meanwhile, the Duke disguises himself as a friar to observe both his people and government. Angelo, enforcing long-neglected laws, imprisons Claudio, a virtuous nobleman, for fornication and sentences him to death, as an example. Claudio's sister, Isabella, a chaste and strict novice nun, goes to Angelo to plead for her brother's life. Angelo is overcome by lust, and agrees to spare her brother only in exchange for her virginity. What follows is a bed-trick, a pirate's decapitated head, a pimp serving as assistant to an executioner, and a shocking ending.

A dark comedy, Measure for Measure is not just a play about justice, religion, and morality. It is about flawed human beings who are challenged and ultimately transformed by their circumstances and by each other.