Abstract: A microscope is described, having an illumination light path for illuminating a sample or object and a viewing light path for viewing the sample. The microscope comprises an illumination light path focusing arrangement in the illumination light path, which comprises a scanning module for generating a substantially two-dimensional sample or object illumination region extending along an illumination direction of the illumination light path and a direction transverse thereto. The microscope further comprises an illumination region-confining device in the illumination light path for selectively illuminating a portion of the substantially two-dimensional object illumination region, wherein the portion of the substantially two-dimensional object illumination region is confined at least in the illumination direction and/or in the direction transversely thereto.