Early Modern Drama · Character Archetypes

SIR JOHN

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)S. Ioh. | S. Io. | S. Iohn. | Sir Iohn.
Words167
Characters875
Typicality0.33 (cosine to cluster centroid)
TCP idA07018
BritDrama no.927
ClusterCluster 1 — Wives, widows & intimate counsel

Important excerpts

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

Full speech

Madam, what cheer? I hear sweet lady of the kings unkindness, But droop not madam, noble minds contemn Despair: will your grace with me to Henolt? And there stay times advantage with your son, How say you my Lord, will you go with your friends, And shake off all our Fortune's equally. My Lords of England, sith the ungentle king Of France refuseth to give aid of arms, To this distressed Queen his sister here, Go you with her to Henolt, doubt ye not, We will find comfort, money, men, and friends Ere long, to bid the English king a base, How say young Prince, what think you of the match? So are the Spencers, the father and the son. Madam, what rests, why stand you in a muse? Found true ̄ pets my lord & forward let us march, Edward will think we come to flatter him. Madam along, and you my lord with me, That England's peers may Henolts welcome see. Well said my lord.

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…