Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

LIGHTBORN

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)Light. | Lightbor. | Lightborne.
Words394
Characters1927
Typicality0.37 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07018
BritDrama no.927
ClusterCluster 20 — Conjurers, witches & physicians

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

What else my lord? and far more resolute. I, I, and none shall know which way he died. Relent, would, would, I use much to relent. You shall not needs to give instructions, 'Tis not the first time I have killed a man, I learned in Naples how to poison flowers, To strangle with a lawn thrust through the throat, To pierce the windpipe with a needles point, Or while one is a sleep, to take a quill And blow a little powder in his ears, Or open his mouth, and pour quick silver down, But yet I have a braver way then these. Nay, you shall pardon me, none shall know my tricks. That will I quickly do, farewell my lord. My lord protector greets you. Know you this token, I must have the king? I know what I must do, get you away, Yet be not far off, I shall needs your help, See that in the next room I have a fire, And get me a spit, and let it be read hight. What else, a table and a featherbed. I, I, so when I call you, bring it in. To comfort you, and bring you joyful news. To murder you my most gracious lord, Far is it from my heart to do you harm, The Queen sent me, to see how you were used, For she relents at this your misery. And what eyes can refrain from shedding tears, To see a king in this most piteous state? Oh villains! Oh speak no more my lord, this breaks my heart. Lie on this bed, and rest your self a while, What means your highness to mistrust me thus? These hands were never stained with inno cent blood, Nor shall they now be tainted with a kings. Your over watchde my lord, lie down and rest. If you mistrust me, isle be gone my lord. He sleeps. How now my Lord. To rid thee of thy life, Matreuis come, Run for the table. So, lay the table down, and stamp his body. But not too hard, least that you bruise his body. Tell me sirs, was it not brave lie done? So now must I about this gear, never was there any So finely handled as this king shall be, Foh, heeres a place in deed with all my heart. No.

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…