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The Life and Death of King John
Contributor(s): Shakespeare, William (Author)
ISBN: 1499358660     ISBN-13: 9781499358667
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
OUR PRICE:   $10.58  
Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats
Published: May 2014
* Not available - Not in print at this time *
Additional Information
BISAC Categories:
- Drama | Shakespeare
Dewey: 822.33
Physical Information: 0.22" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.35 lbs) 106 pages
 
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
Publisher Description:
The Life and Death of King John, a history play by William Shakespeare, dramatises the reign of John, King of England (ruled 1199-1216), son of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine and father of Henry III of England. It is believed to have been written in the mid-1590s but was not published until it appeared in the First Folio in 1623. King John receives an ambassador from France, who demands, on pain of war, that he renounce his throne in favour of his nephew, Arthur, whom the French King, Philip, believes to be the rightful heir to the throne. John adjudicates an inheritance dispute between Robert Falconbridge and his older brother Philip the Bastard, during which it becomes apparent that Philip is the illegitimate son of King Richard I. Queen Eleanor, mother to both Richard and John, recognises the family resemblance and suggests that he renounce his claim to the Falconbridge land in exchange for a knighthood. John knights the Bastard under the name Richard. In France, King Philip and his forces besiege the English-ruled town of Angiers, threatening attack unless its citizens support Arthur. Philip is supported by Austria, who is believed to have killed King Richard. The English contingent arrives; Eleanor trades insults with Constance, Arthur's mother. Kings Philip and John stake their claims in front of Angiers' citizens, but to no avail: their representative says that they will support the rightful king, whoever that turns out to be. The Bastard proposes that England and France unite to punish the rebellious citizens of Angiers, at which point they propose an alternative: Philip's son, Louis the Dauphin, should marry John's niece Blanche, a scheme that gives John a stronger claim to the throne, while Louis gains territory for France. Though a furious Constance accuses Philip of abandoning Arthur, Louis and Blanche are married.