Murmuring Judges (David Hare) and Measure for Measure (Shakespeare)

"My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in whatever hands it is placed. (Sir William Jones, 1835)
The theme of power is addressed in different ways in each of the two plays. The title of Shakespeare's play, 'Measure for measure' is an indication for the audience of the possible themes and makes an allusion to the old testament teaching 'an eye for an eye' (Leviticus, 24:20) and also conjures the mental image of a pair of scales, with each 'measure' or action done weighed up and then punished or given mercy.
Hare's play, 'Murmuring Judges' gets its name from the law that condemns the condemnation of the judiciary, an offence punishable in law in Scotland today. It is obvious to the audience through the title that a possible theme will be the problems with the judiciary and the effectiveness of criminal law. The two types of power addressed by the titles of the plays give just a taster of the issues of power to be risen.…