William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure": A Retelling in Prose

I would like to see my retellings of classic literature used in schools, so I give permission to the country of Finland (and all other countries) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to the state of Texas (and all other states) to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever. I also give permission to all teachers to buy one copy of this eBook and give copies to all students forever.

Teachers need not actually teach my retellings. Teachers are welcome to give students copies of my eBook as background material. For example, if they are teaching Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” teachers are welcome to give students copies of my “Virgil’s ‘Aeneid’: A Retelling in Prose” and tell students, “Here’s another ancient epic you may want to read in your spare time.”

Isabella has a problem. Vicentio, the ruler of Vienna, has left Angelo in charge because, Vicentio says, he needs to leave the city on a diplomatic mission. Angelo is strict and has made fornication a capital crime. Claudio, Isabella’s brother, has gotten his girlfriend pregnant, and as a result he has been sentenced to death. Isabella, a novice nun, pleads to Angelo to have mercy and not execute her brother, but Angelo gives her a choice: Either Isabella has sex with him and does not tell anyone, or her brother dies.