Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure Reveals How Language Enforces Power and Moral Control
Language in classic literature does more than tell a story. A 2026 study by researchers from Universitas Negeri Medan shows that in William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, words operate as tools of power that can limit freedom, damage dignity, and shape moral authority. The research, published in the International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS), explains how dialogue in the play systematically threatens characters’ social identity through what linguists call Face Threatening Acts.
The study was conducted by Flora Gracia Siallagan, Monika Br. Tobing, Citra Ayudia, Rialdo Marcell Sitorus, and Syamsul Bahri, all affiliated with Universitas Negeri Medan, Indonesia. Published in January 2026, the research matters because it connects a 17th-century drama to modern discussions about power, authority, and how language is used to control individuals in legal, religious, and political settings.
Why Shakespeare’s Language Still Matters
Measure for Measure, first performed in 1604, is widely known as one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays.” It blends elements of comedy and tragedy while tackling issues such as strict law enforcement, moral hypocrisy, gender inequality, and abuse of authority. The play centers on how legal and moral rules are applied unevenly, often harming those with less power.
According to the Universitas Negeri Medan research team, the relevance of Measure for Measure today lies in its portrayal of language as a mechanism of control. Orders, accusations, confessions, and moral judgments are not neutral exchanges. They actively shape who has authority and who must submit. In modern societies, similar patterns appear in courtrooms, classrooms, workplaces, and bureaucratic institutions, where language can restrict choices and define social status.
Explaining Face Threatening Acts in Simple Terms
The researchers rely on the concept of Face Threatening Acts (FTA), developed by linguists Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson. In everyday terms, “face” refers to a person’s public self-image. Everyone wants to be respected and to act freely without unnecessary pressure.
There are two key dimensions:
1. Positive face: the need to be valued, respected, and accepted.
2. Negative face: the need for freedom and autonomy, without coercion.
When someone gives harsh orders, humiliates another person, or forces a confession, they threaten one or both types of face. In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare repeatedly stages these threats through dialogue, especially in interactions between rulers and subjects.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study used a qualitative descriptive approach. The researchers closely read the original text of Measure for Measure and selected key dialogues that show conflict, submission, resistance, or moral pressure. Instead of focusing on statistics alone, they examined how language functions in specific situations.
Each dialogue was categorized into one of four types of face threats:
1. Threats to the listener’s positive face
2. Threats to the listener’s negative face
3. Threats to the speaker’s positive face
4. Threats to the speaker’s negative face
This method allowed the team to connect language choices with power relations and moral positioning within the play.
Key Findings from the Analysis
From 128 identified face-threatening expressions in the drama, the researchers found a clear pattern:
1. Threats to the listener’s negative face: 28.1%
2. Threats to the speaker’s positive face: 25.0%
3. Threats to the listener’s positive face: 24.2%
4. Threats to the speaker’s negative face: 22.7%
The most frequent category—threats to the listener’s negative face—shows how often characters are pressured, ordered, or forced to act against their will. This pattern reflects a social structure where authority figures dominate through commands and ultimatums.
One striking example is the character Angelo, who uses direct orders and threats to enforce the law without room for negotiation. His language leaves subordinates with little autonomy, illustrating how institutional power is exercised through speech.
Language, Shame, and Moral Authority
The study also highlights moments where characters harm their own social image. Juliet, for instance, openly accepts shame and guilt when confronted by authority. By verbally submitting and confessing, she sacrifices her positive face in order to align with institutional expectations.
According to Flora Gracia Siallagan of Universitas Negeri Medan, this dynamic shows how moral language can pressure individuals into internalizing blame. In ethical paraphrase, the authors explain that Shakespeare presents authority as something “cloaked in morality,” where guidance and judgment become tools to reshape identity and behavior.
These findings suggest that language does not merely reflect power—it actively produces and maintains it.
Real-World Implications Beyond Literature
Although the research focuses on a literary text, its implications extend far beyond Shakespeare studies. Understanding how language threatens dignity and autonomy is crucial in modern contexts such as law enforcement, education, politics, and corporate communication.
For educators, the findings offer a practical framework for teaching drama as a reflection of social power, not just as artistic expression. For policymakers and institutional leaders, the study serves as a reminder that authority exercised through language can either protect or undermine human dignity.
The research also contributes to broader discussions about ethical communication. Recognizing face-threatening language can help individuals and institutions communicate more responsibly, especially in situations involving unequal power.
Author Profiles
Flora Gracia Siallagan, S.S., M.Hum.
Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Negeri Medan. Expertise: pragmatics, discourse analysis, and literary linguistics.
Monika Br. Tobing, S.S., M.Hum.
Lecturer at Universitas Negeri Medan specializing in linguistics and English language studies.
Citra Ayudia, S.S., M.Hum.
Researcher at Universitas Negeri Medan with interests in literary analysis and language use in social contexts.
Rialdo Marcell Sitorus, S.S., M.Hum.
Academic at Universitas Negeri Medan focusing on discourse and pragmatics.
Syamsul Bahri, S.Pd., M.Hum.
Lecturer at Universitas Negeri Medan with expertise in applied linguistics and literature.
Source
Journal Article Title: Face Threatening Acts in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure
Journal: International Journal of Advanced Technology and Social Sciences (IJATSS)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59890/ijatss.v4i1.143
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