Measure for Measure vs The Merchant of Venice: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Problems, Bibliography, English literature, Drama, History, Fiction
Measure for Measure
“Measure for Measure is one of the best of Shakespeare's plays, though it has not always received the appreciation it deserves.”
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This play examines the nature of mercy and justice, proposing that a good government is one that is flexible and based on common sense.
The Merchant of Venice
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In this lively comedy of love and money in sixteenth-century Venice, Bassanio wants to impress the wealthy heiress Portia but lacks the necessary funds. He turns to his merchant friend, Antonio, who is forced to borrow…
Side by side
The verdict
- Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
- The Merchant of Venice is the quickest read — about 1 hours vs 4 for Measure for Measure.
- The Merchant of Venice has the widest readership — 206966 ratings behind its score.
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How to choose
Scores by source
| Measure for Measure | The Merchant of Venice | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 3.7 (32174) | 3.8 (206966) |
| Hardcover | 3.5 (58) | 3.7 (252) |
| Apple Books | 4.5 (23) | 4.0 (106) |
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Reception
| Measure for Measure | The Merchant of Venice | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 32174 | 206966 |
| Editions | 317 | 818 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | 19584 | 8 |
| Written reviews | 2046 | 5 |
| Wikipedia attention | 7583 | 28995 |
| Pages | 222 | 105 |
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Questions readers ask
Which is rated higher: Measure for Measure or The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice has the higher combined reader rating across sources (The Merchant of Venice 3.8/5, Measure for Measure 3.7/5).
Which is shorter to read: Measure for Measure or The Merchant of Venice?
The Merchant of Venice is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: The Merchant of Venice (105 pages, ≈ 1 h 57 m); Measure for Measure (222 pages, ≈ 4 h 07 m).
Which is harder to read: Measure for Measure or The Merchant of Venice?
Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — Measure for Measure: Demanding; The Merchant of Venice: Demanding.
Have both books been made into films?
Measure for Measure: no film adaptation on record; The Merchant of Venice: 5 film adaptations.