FAIRBANKS — It’s a question of someone having his cake and eating it, too. Or perhaps its more a case of power corrupting absolutely. Either way, Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” raises plenty of questions about morality and justice — and the culpability of those in charge.

The play, presented by Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre and staged at Jack Townshend Point on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, revolves around the concept of fornication as a crime punishable by death and the man, Lord Angelo, who attempts to enforce this code.

On the surface, Angelo is a puritan of the highest stature, a staunch religious man whose views are black and white. He runs the city of Venice while The Duke is away, and his first act is to sentence Claudio to death because his girlfriend is pregnant and they are not married. On the other side, The Duke and his betrothed, Isabella, believe in showing mercy for someone who commits crimes.

Despite this beginning, director Graham Watts said the play is actually phrased as a comedy.

“It’s a comedy of morality,” he said. “This is a comedy, but there are a number of dark instances in it, as there are in any Shakespearean comedy. Plenty of light and shade in it.”

Hypocritically, Angelo is busy having sexual encounters of his own, which he manages to justify even after he preaches about what people should do and abstain from.

“The title is ‘Measure for Measure.’ Throughout the play there are these incidences, opinions, balanced against each other, but it’s up to the audience to decide what is justice,” Watts said. “It’s an idea of the Old Testament, an eye for an eye, balanced against the New Testament, judge not lest you be judged. A debate is set up within the play and hopefully in the audience as well. One would hope the audience would take the debate into their home and church because it is a deeply religious play.”

The play is set in 1604 — the actual time it was written and when such laws were actually in place. In fact, Watts noted that Shakespeare was guilty of the same crime. His girlfriend, Anne Hathaway, gave birth six months after they were married. In a rare autobiographical moment, he was in exactly the same position as Claudio in the play.

But it is this period separation, Watts explained, that should allow these internal debates room to breathe with the audience.

“By setting it in a period that is remote, we can look at that and, comparing it to the present, it clearly has a message for today,” Watts said. “Some of the things in the play, the dilemmas within the play, are things that we are today concerned about. ... Every week it seems we’re hearing about some priest doing something. It’s that type of hypocrisy that’s shown in the play.”

While this may seem like heavy material to absorb during an evening of outdoor theater, Watts again emphasized that “Measure For Measure” is a comedy with a plot that is easy to follow — even with 24 actors bustling about.

“It’s a good night of theater that is extremely funny, but there are some important themes that are brought up in the narrative,” he said. “But the overall tone is comedic and fun.”

Contact features editor Glenn BurnSilver at 459-7510.

IF YOU GO

What: Measure for Measure, presented by Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre

When: Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, through Aug. 1

Where: Jack Townshend Point, UAF campus

Tickets: $20, $17 students, seniors and military

Information: Visit fstalaska.org for complete schedule