History play · c. 1596
The Life and Death of King John
King John holds the English crown against the claim of his nephew Arthur, whom France backs, and the play follows the quarrel through the siege of Angiers, the bargained marriage of Louis and Blanche, and the grief of Arthur's mother Constance. Philip Faulconbridge, the Bastard, acknowledged as Richard Lionheart's son, becomes the play's sardonic commentator on politics and 'commodity'. Arthur dies leaping from the castle walls, the barons turn against John, and the king is poisoned at Swinstead Abbey, leaving England to young Henry.
Contents · 17 parts
- Persons of the Play23 lines
- Act I, Scene 1about 290 lines
- Act II, Scene 1about 620 lines
- Act III, Scene 1about 360 lines
- Act III, Scene 215 lines
- Act III, Scene 387 lines
- Act III, Scene 4about 190 lines
- Act IV, Scene 1about 150 lines
- Act IV, Scene 2about 290 lines
- Act IV, Scene 3about 180 lines
- Act V, Scene 187 lines
- Act V, Scene 2about 190 lines
- Act V, Scene 321 lines
- Act V, Scene 466 lines
- Act V, Scene 527 lines
- Act V, Scene 651 lines
- Act V, Scene 7about 130 lines