Publisher's Synopsis
The Life and Death of King John is a historical play written by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of the reign of King John of England, who ruled from 1199 to 1216. The play explores John's struggle to maintain his power and control over his kingdom, as he faces opposition from his own family, the Church, and the French. The play begins with a dispute over the succession to the throne, as John's nephew Arthur claims the crown. John eventually captures Arthur and orders his execution, leading to a rebellion by the French and English nobles. The play also features the character of Philip the Bastard, a loyal supporter of John who becomes disillusioned with his king's actions.Throughout the play, Shakespeare explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, power, and the nature of kingship. The character of King John is portrayed as a complex and flawed figure, struggling to maintain his authority in the face of opposition from both his enemies and his own conscience.The Life and Death of King John is considered one of Shakespeare's lesser-known plays, but it has been praised for its strong characters and political themes. It is also notable for its depiction of historical events, although Shakespeare takes some liberties with the facts for dramatic effect.Pem. But that your Royall pleasure must be done, This acte, is as an ancient tale new told, And, in the last repeating, troublesome, Being vrged at a time vnseasonable.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
