Description
King John, remembered today as the villainous opponent of Robin Hood and the Magna Carta, was regarded by Shakespeare and his audience as a heroic figure who stood up to England’s enemies. When the French challenge John’s claim to the throne and seek to install his nephew Arthur in his place, England is forced into war. Yet the political principles so hypocritically proclaimed are soon forgotten as the French and English kings form an alliance based on cynical self-interest. While the paranoid and weak-willed king clings to power, his country is threatened with disaster. The play is accompanied by an introduction to Shakespeare’s life and Elizabethan theatre, a chronology, further-reading suggestions, an essay on staging the work for the theatre and screen, and a commentary.
Information
Language: English
Publication date: April 30, 2015
Manufacturer: The Book Service Ltd (Penguin)
Genres: English literature, Books, Foreign language books, Classic literature in english
Type: Paperback book
Pages: 310
ISBN/EAN: 9780141396521