Lines 109-185: Lewis expresses his discontent to the Cardinal, who replies that in the long run, this will be to his advantage. Lewis does not understand how this can be the case and the Cardinal explains that while Arthur lives, John can have no peace. He will, therefore, have him murdered, at which point Lewis may claim the English throne for himself through his wife, Blanche (her mother was John's older sister, Eleanor). Lewis is unconvinced, believing that he will lose everything, but the Cardinal explains how public opinion will turn against John for Arthur's death: he will be blamed for everything, including the weather. Lewis suggests that perhaps John will let Arthur live but Pandulph assures him that as soon as he learns of the dauphin's approach he will have him killed and then his people will be revolted and desire change. Furthermore "the Bastard Falconbridge" is busy "ransacking the Church / Offending charity" so that even a dozen Frenchmen would gather the support of the English; that support would then snowball. He tells Lewis to go with him to Philip and he will urge him on. The dauphin agrees, "If you say ay, the king will not say no."
ACT 4 SCENE 1
Lines 1-44: Hubert gives instructions to the Executioners to heat irons for branding, hide behind the arras, and when he stamps his foot, to rush out and bind Arthur to the chair. The First Executioner says he hopes Hubert has a warrant for "the deed." Hubert rejects such scruples and calls Arthur to come to him. Arthur greets him and notices that he seems sad. Hubert confesses, "Indeed, I have been merrier." Arthur goes on to say that no one should be as sad as he: he'd be delighted to be free--it's not his fault he's Geoffrey's son; he wishes he were Hubert's son. Hubert is determined to harden his heart. Arthur, however shows his concern, wishing Hubert were ill since he could then sit and watch with him. He believes he cares more for Hubert than Hubert does for him. Hubert is moved and shows Arthur the warrant. Arthur reads it and asks him if he has to burn out his eyes. Hubert replies that he must. Arthur asks him if he will do it and he replies that he will.
Lines 49-51: Arthur goes on to remind Hubert of how when he had a headache, he looked after him, and always asked how he was and what he needed. But he says if Hubert must do it then he must, although his eyes have done him no harm, not so much as to frown on him. Hubert says he's sworn to do it. Arthur believes that such a thing could only happen in "this iron age." Even the iron itself would pity him, drink his tears, and rust away. Arthur asks if Hubert is harder than iron. He would not have believed it, even if an angel told him that Hubert would put out his eyes. Hubert stamps his foot and the Executioners come out. Arthur begs Hubert to save him: the men's looks terrify him. He implores him not to bind him and promises he'll sit quietly, and will forgive him whatever he does. Hubert sends the men away; they're glad to be away from "such a deed."
Lines 92-144: Arthur then regrets sending away one who, he now realizes, despite his harsh looks, was his "friend." Hubert tells him to prepare. Arthur asks if there is no remedy but Hubert assures him there is "None, but to lose your eyes." Arthur wishes there were something in Hubert's eyes and Hubert complains that he promised to sit quietly. Arthur again pleads with him to spare his eyes; he'd rather he cut out his tongue. He thinks the iron has gone cold. Hubert replies that it can be heated again but Arthur says "it's dead for grief"--the breath of heaven has blown it out. Hubert says he can revive it with his breath but Arthur replies that if he does, he'll make it blush for shame. Even iron and fire have more pity than him. Hubert is won over. He will let Arthur live but John mustn't know. He'll report Arthur's death but will not harm him "for the wealth of all the world."
ACT 4 SCENE 2
Lines 1-82: John has had himself crowned a second time, although the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke think it a pointless waste of time and money--"wasteful and ridiculous excess." John says he's explained it to them and is willing to listen and grant their demands. Pembroke says the lords wish Arthur to be set free--the people think it wrong that he's imprisoned and not at liberty. John agrees and says he will entrust Arthur to them. Hubert enters and John takes him to one side; Pembroke believes he's the one charged with Arthur's murder--he showed the warrant to a friend. He thinks Hubert has a wicked look and believes he's already done "What we so feared he had a charge to do." They note John's changing color as Hubert speaks to him.
Lines 83-135: John announces that unfortunately Arthur is dead. The lords said they feared as much. John wonders why they look so hard at him, arguing that he doesn't hold the power of life or death but Salisbury claims it is "apparent foul play" and that John will have to answer for it, either on earth or in heaven. Pembroke says he'll go and seek Arthur's grave. Once they've gone, John repents the deed since they're so angry and his position is even less secure--"There is no sure foundation set on blood." A messenger arrives to tell him that the French army have arrived led by the dauphin. John is surprised not to have heard of it before--why did his mother not warn him--but the messenger adds that both she and Constance are dead.
Lines 136-187: The Bastard enters with Peter of Pomfret. John says he doesn't want any more bad news--he's had enough. Richard tells him it's better to know and John pulls himself together. He relates how he has traveled up and down the country collecting money for John's wars and on his journeys heard strange rumors. He has brought one with him who prophesies that before the "next Ascension Day at noon" John will deliver up his crown. John orders Hubert to take the man to prison, to be hanged on that day. He asks Richard if he's heard the news. Richard knows about the French and also the lords' anger over Arthur's death, holding John responsible. John orders Richard to go after them and bring them back to him. He sends the messenger off with him. John is alone just long enough on stage to reflect on the news: "My mother dead!"
Lines 188-276: Hubert reenters and says that five moons have been seen. People take it as a dangerous portent: everyone is afraid and rumors are spreading of the arrival of the French, and of Arthur's death. John asks him why he urged him to kill his nephew--Hubert had no reason to wish Arthur dead. Hubert protests that John ordered him. John complains that it's "the curse of kings" to be served by those who take their whims for orders. Hubert shows him the warrant, signed and sealed by John for Arthur's death. John replies that it was Hubert's fault: his presence and villainous appearance put the idea into his head. He blames Hubert for the deed and orders him out of his sight. Finally Hubert tells him that "Young Arthur is alive." John is delighted and tells him to hurry and give the lords the news and bring them to him.
ACT 4 SCENE 3
Lines 1-73: Arthur is high up on the prison wall, planning to escape, disguised as a ship boy. Despite his fear he decides to jump--he might as well "die and go, as die and stay." He falls and is killed. Salisbury, Pembroke, and Bigot are making plans to join with the dauphin. Richard arrives, saying that the king would like to see them straightaway. They reply that they are no longer loyal to him since they do not wish to be stained with his dishonor, claiming they "know the worst." The Bastard tries to persuade them, when they find Arthur's body. They are shocked and horrified by the sight, believing he has been murdered. Salisbury and the others vow to avenge him.
Lines 74-165: Hubert enters to tell them that Arthur is alive but they believe that Hubert has killed him. They threaten him with their swords while Richard strives to keep the peace. Hubert tries to convince them that he's not responsible. They refuse to believe him and leave to meet the dauphin at Bury. Richard asks Hubert if he knew of Arthur's death. If he knew of "this most cruel act," he should despair and kill himself. Hubert tries to convince him of his innocence, assuring Richard that he "left him [Arthur] well." Richard orders him to lift the body up: Richard thinks he's losing his way "Among the thorns and dangers of this world." He foresees all the troubles that will now descend on England through foreign and civil war and John's authority diminished at home. He reflects that he who can survive "this tempest" is fortunate and orders Hubert to follow him, carrying Arthur. There are a "thousand businesses" to attend to and "heaven itself
" looks angrily on England.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
Lines 1-30: King John gives up his crown to Cardinal Pandulph who returns it to him with the authority of the Pope. He then asks the Cardinal to go to meet the French and persuade them to return before there's civil war and strife. The Cardinal agrees that since it was he that "blew this tempest up" because John refused to do the Pope's will, now that he's compliant he'll calm the situation down, bidding him remember his oath of service to the Pope "On this Ascension Day." He departs and while briefly alone, John recalls the prophecy that he would give the crown up before noon this day. He believed it meant he would be forced to but is thankful that it was "voluntary" on his part.
Lines 31-81: The Bastard reports that the war with France is going badly: Kent has yielded apart from Dover Castle, and London has welcomed the dauphin. The nobles refuse to listen to John and have gone to offer their services to the enemy; his few friends are all amazed. John asks if the lords wouldn't return after hearing that Arthur was alive but Richard replies that they found his dead body. John says that "villain Hubert" told him he was alive and Richard replies that Hubert believed he was. He encourages John to behave proudly like a king and set a good example to his followers: "Show boldness and aspiring confidence." John tells him the Pope's legate has been with him and they've made peace--he's going to dismiss the dauphin's army. Richard is dismayed: "O inglorious league!" and thinks they should still make their arrangements to fight, in case the Cardinal fails: it should not be said that they didn't try to defend their country. John tells him to organize everything, but privately fears that the French may be superior in strength.
ACT 5 SCENE 2
Lines 1-118: Lewis accepts the services of Salisbury and the other rebel English lords. Salisbury swears to keep faith with him, regretting the need for war, grieving that they should follow a foreign lord and fighting their fellow countrymen, wishing their two Christian armies might join arms against a pagan enemy. Lewis praises those noble sentiments, which do him honour, but is amazed at his tears--"such manly drops." He tells him to overcome them since he will "thrust [his] hand as deep / Into the purse of rich prosperity" as Lewis will himself. The Cardinal enters and Lewis thinks he has come to authorize their actions. Pandulph greets him and immediately says that John is now reconciled with Rome so the French should pack up their gear and go home. Lewis refuses, claiming that it's too late and he's "too high-born" to be told what to do. The Cardinal started this war and taught him what was right and he now intends to go on. Now that Arthur's dead, by virtue of his marriage to Blanche, he claims the throne of England for himself. It's he not Rome who has done and paid for everything and he believes he can win easily. The Cardinal complains this is a superficial view of things. They hear a trumpet sound.
Lines 119-183: The Bastard enters wanting to know if the Cardinal has succeeded in persuading the dauphin. Pandulph says the dauphin refuses to lay down his arms. Richard is delighted and makes a stirring speech on John's behalf saying that they are prepared. Recalling how they defeated the French in France he asks whether it's not more likely they'll be successful here on their own land. He has special words of anger and scorn for the rebel lords, "you degenerate, you ingrate revolts, / You bloody Neroes ...," who would destroy their own land and telling them to blush for shame. Lewis is dismissive, saying he knows the Bastard can "outscold us" but he hasn't got time to listen to "such a brabbler." Richard taunts him that he will be beaten like his drums and claims that John used the Cardinal for "sport" rather than "need." He threatens them that "warlike John" is at hand with "bare-ribbed Death" at his "forehead" who will feast upon "thousands of the French." Each defies the other and they prepare to fight.
ACT 5 SCENE 3
To the sounds of battle, John asks Hubert for news. Hubert thinks it's going badly for the English and John reports feeling ill. A messenger enters from Richard telling John to leave the battlefield and to tell him which way he's going. John replies to Swinstead Abbey. The messenger tells him to cheer up; the French supplies have been shipwrecked on the Goodwin Sands and they're retreating. John repeats how ill he feels and tells them to take him straight to Swinstead.
ACT 5 SCENE 4
Salisbury, Bigot, and Pembroke on the battlefield are surprised by how much support John has but have learned that he's ill. The English success, though, is down to Richard: "That misbegotten devil Falconbridge." Melun enters and warns them that they have been betrayed, that if the French win the dauphin has sworn to cut off their heads and he advises them to make peace with John. They cannot believe it but Melun asks why, since he is facing death himself, he should lie to them. He begs them to remove his body to some quiet place to die. They believe him and are glad that they need be traitors no longer but can return to King John.
ACT 5 SCENE 5
Lewis is reflecting on French successes of a long day of battle when a messenger arrives to say that count Melun is dead, the English rebel lords have returned to John, and French supplies have been lost on Goodwin Sands. Lewis is dismayed by the turn of events but promises to be up before dawn to continue the fight in the morning.
ACT 5 SCENE 6
Hubert seeks Richard with bad news: John has been poisoned by a monk. Richard asks who's left to tend the king and Hubert tells him Prince Henry with the rebel lords who have returned to John. Prince Henry has asked for them to be pardoned. Richard says that he has lost half his army in the Wash and barely escaped himself and asks Hubert to take him to the king.
ACT 5 SCENE 7
Lines 1-51: Prince Henry is discussing his father's serious condition with Salisbury and Bigot. Pembroke enters, saying that John wishes to be brought out into the cool air. He asks if his father is still raging and Pembroke replies that he is calmer now and has just been singing. Prince Henry grieves for his dying father, wondering at the illness' strange effect on his mind. Salisbury comforts him, telling him it's his fate to resolve the confused situation of the times. John is brought into the orchard, relieved to be outside. He is burning inside and desires coolness but complains that none of them will help him. Prince Henry wishes his tears would help his father but John complains they're too hot.
Lines 52-122: Richard rushes in eager to see John, who says he has just enough strength to hear his news. Richard says the dauphin is coming and he has lost half his army, but Salisbury tells him that John is dead. Richard says he will wait just long enough to avenge John and then follow him to the grave. He asks the stars for aid. Salisbury says he obviously doesn't know that Cardinal Pandulph is resting inside, who came half an hour ago to say that he had concluded an honorable peace with the dauphin. Richard thinks he'll be more inclined when he sees them ready to fight but Salisbury says it's already concluded; the dauphin has already sent his troops home and left the Cardinal to arrange the rest with Richard, himself, and the other lords. Richard agrees; Prince Henry should accompany his father's body to Worcester for burial. Richard offers his "faithful services / And true subjection" to the prince, and the other lords follow suit. Prince Henry wishes he could thank them but can only do so with his tears. Richard says they should grieve as befits the time, but England shall never be conquered, now that all are loyal again. Nothing will make them sorry "If England to itself do rest but true."
KING JOHN
IN PERFORMANCE:
THE RSC AND BEYOND
The best way to understand a Shakespeare play is to see it or ideally to participate in it. By examining a range of productions, we may gain a sense of the extraordinary variety of approaches and interpretations that are possible--a variety that gives Shakespeare his unique capacity to be reinvented and made "our contemporary" four centuries after his death.
We begin with a brief overview of the play's theatrical and cinematic life, offering historical perspectives on how it has been performed. We then analyze in more detail a series of productions staged over the last half century by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The sense of dialogue between productions tha
t can only occur when a company is dedicated to the revival and investigation of the Shakespeare canon over a long period, together with the uniquely comprehensive archival resource of promptbooks, programme notes, reviews, and interviews held on behalf of the RSC at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, allows an "RSC stage history" to become a crucible in which the chemistry of the play can be explored.
We then go to the horse's mouth. Modern theater is dominated by the figure of the director. He or she must hold together the whole play, whereas the actor must concentrate on his or her part. The director's viewpoint is therefore especially valuable. Shakespeare's plasticity is wonderfully revealed when we hear the directors of two highly successful productions of each play answering the same questions in very different ways.
FOUR CENTURIES OF KING JOHN: AN OVERVIEW
Shakespeare's King John, with its pageantry and anti-Catholicism, appears to have been a popular play during the Elizabethan and early Jacobean periods. This is evidenced by its mention in Francis Meres' commonplace book Palladis Tamia (1598), in which he claims that "As Plautus and Seneca are accounted the best for Comedy and Tragedy among the Latines: so Shakespeare among the English is the most excellent in both kinds for the stage."1 The inaccurate attribution to Shakespeare in the 1611 and 1622 reprints of the anonymous, strongly anti-Catholic Troublesome Raigne of King John (almost certainly one of Shakespeare's key sources), was either a genuine mistake or a deliberate attempt to deceive, but whichever is the case it suggests a degree of popular familiarity with Shakespeare's play in the first two decades of the seventeenth century.