Resumen de Crimes and Accountability in Shakespeare

Theodor Meron

• Accountability for crimes, a theme central to Shakespeare's canon, retains its pertinence today. Against a background of medieval and Renaissance sources and Shakespeare's environment, this article examines his treatment of crimes committed or ordered by leaders, and such related concepts as command responsibility, superior orders and the defense of duress, frequently drawing modern parallels. Professor Meron considers the ways that Shakespeare used law, chivalry, morality and conscience to promote a society in which leaders are held to high standards of civilized behavior.