Main Characters King John Prince Henry—John’s son Arthur—John’s older brother Earls of Pembroke, Essex, Salisbury and Norfolk Hubert de Burgh—King John’s chamberlain Robert Faulconbridge Philip Faulconbridge—the Bastard Peter—a prophet Philip—King of France Louis—the Dauphin of France Archduke of Austria Cardinal Pandulf Chatillon—French ambassador Elinor—John’s mother Constance—Arthur’s mother Blanch—John’s niece Lady Faulconbridge—Robert and the Bastard’s mother
A (Very) Brief Plot Summary
Act I Scene I: France and England are going to war/ John gives Robert the Faulconbridge land and takes the Bastard to France. Lady Faulconbridge admits that Richard I was Philip’s father.
Act II Scene I: Austria sides with France. The armies meet at Angiers. Blanch and Louis agree to marry. Arthur is made Lord of Angiers.
Act III Scene I: Constance is unhappy about the marriage. King John has angered the Pope. Philip sides with the church. England and France resume hostilities. Scene II:Scene III: The Bastard is sent back to England. Hubert agrees to kill Arthur. Scene IV: England has won Angiers. Arthur is in prison. The Cardinal promises that Louis will be King of England.
Act IV, Scene I: Hubert agrees to lie about killing Arthur. Scene II: John tells Pembroke that he will release Arthur. Hubert announces that Arthur is dead. The French army has reached England. Constance and Elinor have died. Peter prophesies that John will give up the crown. Herbert tells John that Arthur is alive. Scene III: Arthur commits suicide. His body is found and the noblemen accuse Hubert of murder.
Act V Scene I: John has reconciled with the church, so the Cardinal agrees to broker peace between England and France. The Bastard warns John to remain alert. Scene II: Louis will not make peace. Scene III: The French supply ship is wrecked. Scene IV: The traitors agree to side with England once again. Scene V: Louis receives the bad news. Scene VI: John has been poisoned. Scene VII: John dies. The Bastard promises to avenge his death. Peace will be declared.
Glossary Bastinado -a beating Cincture -belt Clout -the centre of a target, the bull’s-eye Lockered -pampered, spoiled Convented -called for Glister -glitter or shine Scroyles -ne’er-do-wells, wretches Souse -to swoop down like a bird of prey
King John
King John is a historical play that differs significantly from actual history. (Docudramas, not documentaries, remember?) The Magna Carta, for example, is never mentioned. It seems appropriate that Shakespeare’s histories should be fictionalized versions of events, when the details surrounding his own life are so unclear. There are several theories about what kind of man he was, but the following is the popularly accepted version.
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