Pynchon, Shakespeare, Kyd

[James Cummings]

     "Mortality and Mercy in Vienna" seems like a good place to start looking
     for Shakespearian influences. The title is from "Measure for Measure"
     (Act I Scene I) where Duke Vincentio hands over the government of Vienna
     to Angelo with the words 

        Mortality and mercy in Vienna
        Live in thy tongue and heart

     Unfortunately I don't have my copy of the story with me, but as I remember
     the protagonist has been put in charge of a party? (and the people who play
     silent jazz are called something like the Duc di Angelis Quartet).


                                     James Cummings, Hebrew University of Jerusalem