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The Life and Death of King John (view source)
Revision as of 21:28, June 16, 2009
, 21:28, June 16, 2009Synopsis
'''The Life and Death of King John''' is a play written by [[William Shakespeare]], chronicling major points in the reign of [[King John]]. King John is a villain and usurper, who wins the crown from [[France]], but dies in the end. Parts of the play are set in Northampton castle. This play does not include King John's signing of the [[Magna Carta]] and is focused on his wars and battles with France.
'''The Life and Death of King John''' is a play written by [[William Shakespeare]], chronicling major points in the reign of [[King John]]. King John is a villain and usurper, who wins the crown from [[France]], but dies in the end. Parts of the play are set in Northampton castle. This play does not include King John's signing of the [[Magna Carta]] and is focused on his wars and battles with France.
==Synopsis==
The play opens with messengers from France declaring that King John is a usurper and his nephew Arthur, is the true King of England. John and his mother, [[Eleanor of Aquitaine]], prepare for war defiant of France. Before the war begins, a case arrives over the legitimacy of Philip, the bastard son of Richard I. Philip is proud of his bastardy to Richard and agrees to fight against the french for King John.
At the city of Angiers, King Philip of France and Lymoges, Duke of Austria, pledge to help Arthur become King of England. Arthur is a young boy and not enthusiastic to claim the throne, but his right is mostly championed by his mother, Lady Constance. King John and his forces arrive at Angiers and prepare to fight. The city of Angiers does not acknowledge either John or Arthur as King of England and remains neutral. Each side tries to win the battle, but no clear victor emerges. Angiers arranges a marriage of peace between John and Philip through Lewis, the dauphin, and Blanch of Spain.
Constance is grieved that Philip and Lymoges both agree to the peace. However, circumstances change when a legate from the Pope, Pandulph, demands that King John allow [[Stephen Langton]] to become [[Archbishop of Canterbury]]. When John refuses, he is excommunicated and Pandulph orders Philip to break his treaty. Philip only reluctantly breaks his word. The two armies fight each other and Arthur is captured by John. John then arranges for a henchmen named Hubert to kill Arthur. Arthur's mother, Constance, despairs.
However, Hubert finds he cannot murder Arthur and tells the King falsely that Arthur is dead. The English nobles guess that John killed Arthur and decide to join the french. Hubert relieves John by saying that Arthur is alive. Unfortunately, Arthur tries to escape from the Tower and falls down onto hard stones and dies. The English nobles find his dead body. Hubert and the Bastard both are grieved when the nobles resolve to join the french.
Lewis, the dauphin, attempts an invasion of England. Despite the Pope re-communicating John and declaring him King, Lewis and the English nobles continue their war. The defeat is averted when the nobles learn Lewis will betray and murder them. Furthermore, Lewis' supply ships are destroyed. However, it is a victory for England and not King John. John had ordered the pillaging of monasteries, provoking a monk to poisoned him. King John dies and is succeeded by Prince Henry, who becomes [[Henry III]]. The English nobles pledge their loyalty to him.
===External Links===
===External Links===