Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

LADY

in Edward the Second — Marlowe, Christopher

Metadata

PlayEdward the Second
AuthorMarlowe, Christopher
Year (catalogued)1594
First performance1592
Decade1590s
GenreHistory
Play typeAdult Professional
CompanyPembroke's Men
Speech prefix(es)Lady. | Lad.
Words216
Characters1070
Typicality0.35 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07018
BritDrama no.927
ClusterCluster 12 — Wooers, gallants & courtly love-talk

Important excerpts

No keyword-matching excerpt could be extracted (the cluster label doesn't share vocabulary with this character's speech).

Full speech

The grief for his exile was not so much, As is the joy of his returning home, This letter came from my sweet Gaveston, What needest thou love, thus to excuse thy self? I know thou couldst not come and visit me, I will not long be from thee though I die: This argues the entire love of my Lord, When I forsake thee, death seize on my heart, But rest thee here where Gaveston shall sleep. Now to the letter of my Lord the King, He wills me to repair unto the court, And meet my Gaveston : why do I stay, Seeing that he talks thus of my marriage day? Whose there, Balduck? See that my coache be ready, I must hence. And meet me at the park pale presently: Spencer, stay you and bear me company, For I have joyful news to tell thee of, My lord of Cornwall is a coming over, And will be at the court as soon as we. If all things sort out, as I hope they will, Thy service Spencer shall be thought upon. Come led the way, I long till I am there. Two of my father's servants while he lived, Mait please your grace to entertain them now. Farewell sweet uncle till we meet again.

Plot summary

Plot — Edward the Second
GavestGn, banished by KangpyBdwardl is recalled to England on the accession of BdWardllll. His presence exacerbates tension between the King and barons, but Edward gives him multiple offices of state. Together they assault the BiSHOplomi@oventry, whose title also goes to Gaveston. The nobles and church contrive the minion’s banishment, but QWeenilsabella, neglected by Edward, arranges his reprieve in the hope of winning favour. King and barons make their peace and Lord MOrtimier, leaving for war in Scotland, advises his nephew to tolerate Edward’s love for Gaveston. The King’s preoccupation with his minion leads him to neglect public affairs, jeopardizing the political and economic stability of the crown: the unpaid army mutinies, rebellion breaks out in Ireland, and English territory is invaded by both Scotland and France. Lord Mortimer is taken prisoner in Scotland, but Edward refuses to ransom him. The barons, now joined by Edward’s brother, the B@gi§6fK@nt, increase the pressure to banish Gaveston again, while Edward begins to suspect Isabella of adultery with the younger Mortimer. Gaveston is captured by the barons. Edward asks to see him one last time; P@mibrOke agrees to conduct Gaveston there and back, but the minion is captured and killed en route by WaRWIEK’s treachery. Isabella and the Prince go to parley with the French King over the invasion of Normandy. The barons demand the removal of the Sp@me@r family, whom Edward has advanced, and battle ensues. The King wins: some barons are executed, and Mortimer is imprisoned. He escapes by drugging his guard, and absconds to France with Kent. He rendezvouses with Isabella, who has failed to gather allies because the Spencers have bribed the French nobility. Both are offered refuge in Hainault. Isabella returns to England in arms, accompanied by Mortimer and the increasingly dubious Kent. Edward flees, taking refuge in an abbey. He is betrayed by a mower, taken prisoner, and forced to give up the crown; his flatterers are executed, and Mortimer becomes Lord Protector. After Kent plots to free Edward, Mortimer has the royal prisoner moved around the country at night in the charge of Maltravers and Gourney; they forcibly shave off his beard to prevent recognition, and keep him in fou] conditions. PRICE EdWard is crowned. Kent is arrested and executed. Lightborne, sent by Mortimer, murders Edward with a hot spit and then is killed himself. Edward III receives news of his father’s death and Mortimer’s…