Kizilova T.Y. Scales symbolism in "Measure for Measure" by W. Shakespeare

The article examines the functioning of the scales symbolism in “Measure for Measure” by W. Shakespeare. The relevance of this play is conditioned by the use of Shakespeare’s treasure-trove of imagery which has shaped the worldview of contemporary people and the development of world culture. The method of linguopoetic analysis applied to the work of verbal art is aimed at revealing the purport of the author more fully. The lexical set measure — weigh — hang — test — testimony — assay — balance — scale — rate — reason, supporting the title word, highlights the need to assess “man and country”, to establish the Measure of artistic merit. The syntactic devices of antithesis, chiasmus, and anadiplosis as if imitating the turning of the scales, helps to render the idea of measuring and proportioning, the necessity of weighing arguments and counterarguments. The analysis has proved that the ancient symbol of justice becomes imbued with metafictional overtones signifying the characters moral assessment, representing the inner tonometer of the author who is keenly sensitive to the Music of Time.Key words: the author’s image, the scales symbolism, the semantic set, literary allusions, verbal polyphony, binary oppositions, antithesis, chiasmus.