King John & Henry VIII

by William Shakespeare

  Lines 424–544: The kings agree and are deciding on their positions when the Citizen’s spokesperson suggests they can be reconciled peacefully by the marriage of John’s niece, “the lady Blanche,” and the King of France’s son, “Lewis the dauphin.” The Bastard is disgusted by the Citizen’s long speech in favor of the match. Elinor, however, advises John to accept and to offer a large dowry with Blanche, which will make the French king his ally rather than his enemy. John says that if the dauphin can love Blanche and agree to the match, he will give France all the English lands in France, apart from Angiers, including Anjou, Touraine, Maine and Poitiers. The dauphin looks at Blanche and seeing his own reflection “Drawn in the flattering table of her eye,” declares his love. The Bastard is again disgusted by the turn of events but Blanche says that she is willing to do as her uncle asks: all she sees of the dauphin is “worthy love” and she can see nothing that would “merit any hate.” The young couple agree to marry and John will give her five provinces plus thirty thousand marks as her dowry.

  Lines 545–570: The French king asks Angiers to open their gates so that they can all enter and Blanche and Lewis can be married. He asks where Constance is, knowing she’ll be angry. Lewis says she is “sad and passionate” in the king’s tent. Philip asks John if there is some way in which she may be compensated. John says he’ll make Arthur Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond and give him Angiers. He hopes that Constance will be at least partially satisfied and stop complaining. All except the Bastard leave to prepare for the wedding.

  Lines 571–608: Alone on stage the Bastard reflects on events: “Mad world, mad kings, mad composition!” In order to stop Arthur’s claim to the English crown, John has willingly parted with a large part of his kingdom while the French king, who claimed to be supporting Arthur’s legitimate right and posed as “God’s own soldier,” has listened to the devil in his ear and withdrawn from “a resolved and honourable war / To a most base and vile-concluded peace.” He blames all this on “That smooth-faced gentleman, tickling commodity” (profit or self-interest) and rails against its influence in a world in which everyone seems to be out for themselves. He goes on ironically to recognize that the reason he can rail against “commodity” is that he hasn’t yet been touched by it personally, being poor he will say there’s “no sin but to be rich” but once he’s rich he will then say that “there is no vice but beggary.” Since kings “break faith” for their own advantage, he will worship “Gain” from now on.

  ACT 2 SCENE 2

  Constance refuses to believe the Earl of Salisbury’s report that Blanche and Lewis are to be married. He assures her that is the case. She’s angry and blames him, recognizing that because of this match France will no longer support Arthur’s claim. Arthur begs her to “be content” but Constance claims that she might be content if he were ugly or deformed in some way, since then she would not love him, but that he is “fair” and that at his birth “Nature and Fortune joined to make thee great.” She blames the “strumpet [whore] Fortune” and claims that France (i.e. the French king) is a “bawd [prostitute] to Fortune and King John.” She asks Salisbury whether Philip is not “forsworn” (guilty of breaking his oath) and tells him to curse the king or go. He says he cannot go without her to attend the wedding but she refuses and Salisbury departs with Arthur, leaving Constance alone with her grief.

  ACT 3 SCENE 1

  Lines 1–61: Blanche and Lewis are married and King Philip declares there will be a holiday in France every year to celebrate “this blessèd day.” Constance, however, condemns it as a “wicked day, and not a holy day!” and refusing to be reconciled, calls on the heavens to set “these perjured kings” at odds once more. When Austria calls for peace, Constance immediately retorts, demanding “War, war, no peace!” and declares Austria likewise perjured and, rather than wear a lion’s skin, he should take it off for shame and “hang a calf’s-skin on those recreant limbs.” Austria is furious and says if a man said that to him he’d fight him. The Bastard immediately repeats the words as a challenge and the situation threatens to get out of hand when Cardinal Pandulph, the papal legate, enters.

  Lines 62–118: The Cardinal demands to know from John why he refuses to accept Stephen Langton, chosen by Pope Innocent III, as Archbishop of Canterbury. John responds that “no Italian priest” has authority to tell “a sacred king” what to do and argues that he is “supreme head.” Philip tells him he “blaspheme[s] in this.” John is defiant, arguing that he alone is not led by this “meddling priest,” fearful of the Catholic church’s power of excommunication and wealth obtained by the corrupt practice of selling pardons. The Cardinal announces that in that case John will be cursed and excommunicated and whoever kills him will be canonized and worshipped as a saint. Constance begs for the right to add her curses to Rome’s. The papal legate argues that he has “law and warrant” for his curse but Constance argues that she does too, “since law itself is perfect wrong.” John has stolen Arthur’s rightful kingdom and “he that holds his kingdom holds the law.”

  Lines 119–183: Pandulph then orders Philip, on peril of being excommunicated himself to make war on John, “that arch-heretic,” unless he “do submit himself to Rome.” Both sides try to sway Philip to support them. Elinor and Constance argue again, as do the Bastard and Austria. Lewis thinks the Pope’s curse is heavier than the loss of England’s friendship, and his father should “forgo the easier.” Blanche suggests that’s the Pope’s curse but Constance tells Lewis he’s being tempted by “the devil.” Philip is “perplexed,” unsure what to do and asks the Cardinal to put himself in his place—his son and Blanche are just married and peace agreed between their two lands, which have previously been at war. He cannot go back on his word and change his mind. He begs Pandulph to find some peaceful solution.

  Lines 184–280: The Cardinal is resolute—Philip cannot remain friends with John. Philip responds that he may let go of John’s hand but not his “faith”—his oath of friendship. Pandulph replies that he would then make “faith an enemy to faith” since his duty is to heaven to whom he swore his first vow. He must make war on John. Austria calls it “flat rebellion” and the Bastard taunts him once more. Lewis calls his father “to arms.” Blanche is shocked that her husband wants to fight on his wedding day against her own family and begs him not to. Constance urges him on to battle, however. Philip is still undecided until the Cardinal again threatens excommunication at which he reluctantly agrees to fight John. Constance is delighted, Elinor furious, and John threatening; only the Bastard is happy. Blanche is distressed, with her loyalties divided. John tells the Bastard to bring up the army: they are at war with France again.

  ACT 3 SCENE 2

  Lines 1–30: After more fighting, the Bastard enters with Austria’s head. John then enters with Arthur, telling Hubert to look after him. He fears that Elinor is captured but the Bastard reassures him that he rescued her himself. There is more fighting. John tells Elinor to stay and she’ll be strongly guarded and tells Arthur to cheer up since his grandmother loves him and he’ll love him like a father. Arthur replies that his mother will “die with grief.” John sends the Bastard back to England to extract money from the Church to pay for the wars. Elinor calls Arthur over to her.

  Lines 31–92: John takes Hubert to one side and tells him how grateful he is to him and how much he respects him. Hubert says he is much obliged. John then starts a series of evasive, round about hints to Hubert, who, guessing his purpose, says he’ll do it: Arthur “shall not live.” John is happy. Arthur is to go to England with Hubert while John goes to Calais.

  ACT 3 SCENE 3

  Lines 1–108: King Philip and Lewis are bemoaning the French defeat while the cardinal attempts to cheer them. Constance enters, blaming Philip and his peace treaty for their defeat. She is distraught, desiring only death: “Death, death, O amiable, lovely death … come to me!” Pandulph tells her that what she speaks is “madness” not “sorrow” but she denies it. Philip asks her to tie u
p her hair. She begs him to make for England. He again asks her to tie up her hair. She agrees, saying that she untied it in her grief, wishing she could have released Arthur as easily, but she will tie it up again since her son is a bound prisoner. She imagines Arthur pale and ill and says she will not recognize him when they meet again in heaven. The Cardinal is impatient and Philip accuses her of being “as fond of grief as of your child.” Constance, however, replies that “Grief fills the room up of my absent child”: she sees him everywhere. She lets down her hair again since “there is such disorder in my wit” and leaves, still lamenting bitterly. Philip goes after her, fearing she may kill herself.

  Lines 109–185: Lewis expresses his discontent to the Cardinal, who replies that in the long run, this will be to his advantage. Lewis does not understand how this can be the case and the Cardinal explains that while Arthur lives, John can have no peace. He will, therefore, have him murdered, at which point Lewis may claim the English throne for himself through his wife, Blanche (her mother was John’s older sister, Eleanor). Lewis is unconvinced, believing that he will lose everything, but the Cardinal explains how public opinion will turn against John for Arthur’s death: he will be blamed for everything, including the weather. Lewis suggests that perhaps John will let Arthur live but Pandulph assures him that as soon as he learns of the dauphin’s approach he will have him killed and then his people will be revolted and desire change. Furthermore “the Bastard Falconbridge” is busy “ransacking the Church / Offending charity” so that even a dozen Frenchmen would gather the support of the English; that support would then snowball. He tells Lewis to go with him to Philip and he will urge him on. The dauphin agrees, “If you say ay, the king will not say no.”

  ACT 4 SCENE 1

  Lines 1–44: Hubert gives instructions to the Executioners to heat irons for branding, hide behind the arras, and when he stamps his foot, to rush out and bind Arthur to the chair. The First Executioner says he hopes Hubert has a warrant for “the deed.” Hubert rejects such scruples and calls Arthur to come to him. Arthur greets him and notices that he seems sad. Hubert confesses, “Indeed, I have been merrier.” Arthur goes on to say that no one should be as sad as he: he’d be delighted to be free—it’s not his fault he’s Geoffrey’s son; he wishes he were Hubert’s son. Hubert is determined to harden his heart. Arthur, however shows his concern, wishing Hubert were ill since he could then sit and watch with him. He believes he cares more for Hubert than Hubert does for him. Hubert is moved and shows Arthur the warrant. Arthur reads it and asks him if he has to burn out his eyes. Hubert replies that he must. Arthur asks him if he will do it and he replies that he will.

  Lines 49–51: Arthur goes on to remind Hubert of how when he had a headache, he looked after him, and always asked how he was and what he needed. But he says if Hubert must do it then he must, although his eyes have done him no harm, not so much as to frown on him. Hubert says he’s sworn to do it. Arthur believes that such a thing could only happen in “this iron age.” Even the iron itself would pity him, drink his tears, and rust away. Arthur asks if Hubert is harder than iron. He would not have believed it, even if an angel told him that Hubert would put out his eyes. Hubert stamps his foot and the Executioners come out. Arthur begs Hubert to save him: the men’s looks terrify him. He implores him not to bind him and promises he’ll sit quietly, and will forgive him whatever he does. Hubert sends the men away; they’re glad to be away from “such a deed.”

  Lines 92–144: Arthur then regrets sending away one who, he now realizes, despite his harsh looks, was his “friend.” Hubert tells him to prepare. Arthur asks if there is no remedy but Hubert assures him there is “None, but to lose your eyes.” Arthur wishes there were something in Hubert’s eyes and Hubert complains that he promised to sit quietly. Arthur again pleads with him to spare his eyes; he’d rather he cut out his tongue. He thinks the iron has gone cold. Hubert replies that it can be heated again but Arthur says “it’s dead for grief”—the breath of heaven has blown it out. Hubert says he can revive it with his breath but Arthur replies that if he does, he’ll make it blush for shame. Even iron and fire have more pity than him. Hubert is won over. He will let Arthur live but John mustn’t know. He’ll report Arthur’s death but will not harm him “for the wealth of all the world.”

  ACT 4 SCENE 2

  Lines 1–82: John has had himself crowned a second time, although the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke think it a pointless waste of time and money—“wasteful and ridiculous excess.” John says he’s explained it to them and is willing to listen and grant their demands. Pembroke says the lords wish Arthur to be set free—the people think it wrong that he’s imprisoned and not at liberty. John agrees and says he will entrust Arthur to them. Hubert enters and John takes him to one side; Pembroke believes he’s the one charged with Arthur’s murder—he showed the warrant to a friend. He thinks Hubert has a wicked look and believes he’s already done “What we so feared he had a charge to do.” They note John’s changing color as Hubert speaks to him.

  Lines 83–135: John announces that unfortunately Arthur is dead. The lords said they feared as much. John wonders why they look so hard at him, arguing that he doesn’t hold the power of life or death but Salisbury claims it is “apparent foul play” and that John will have to answer for it, either on earth or in heaven. Pembroke says he’ll go and seek Arthur’s grave. Once they’ve gone, John repents the deed since they’re so angry and his position is even less secure—“There is no sure foundation set on blood.” A messenger arrives to tell him that the French army have arrived led by the dauphin. John is surprised not to have heard of it before—why did his mother not warn him—but the messenger adds that both she and Constance are dead.

  Lines 136–187: The Bastard enters with Peter of Pomfret. John says he doesn’t want any more bad news—he’s had enough. Richard tells him it’s better to know and John pulls himself together. He relates how he has traveled up and down the country collecting money for John’s wars and on his journeys heard strange rumors. He has brought one with him who prophesies that before the “next Ascension Day at noon” John will deliver up his crown. John orders Hubert to take the man to prison, to be hanged on that day. He asks Richard if he’s heard the news. Richard knows about the French and also the lords’ anger over Arthur’s death, holding John responsible. John orders Richard to go after them and bring them back to him. He sends the messenger off with him. John is alone just long enough on stage to reflect on the news: “My mother dead!”

  Lines 188–276: Hubert reenters and says that five moons have been seen. People take it as a dangerous portent: everyone is afraid and rumors are spreading of the arrival of the French, and of Arthur’s death. John asks him why he urged him to kill his nephew—Hubert had no reason to wish Arthur dead. Hubert protests that John ordered him. John complains that it’s “the curse of kings” to be served by those who take their whims for orders. Hubert shows him the warrant, signed and sealed by John for Arthur’s death. John replies that it was Hubert’s fault: his presence and villainous appearance put the idea into his head. He blames Hubert for the deed and orders him out of his sight. Finally Hubert tells him that “Young Arthur is alive.” John is delighted and tells him to hurry and give the lords the news and bring them to him.

  ACT 4 SCENE 3

  Lines 1–73: Arthur is high up on the prison wall, planning to escape, disguised as a ship boy. Despite his fear he decides to jump—he might as well “die and go, as die and stay.” He falls and is killed. Salisbury, Pembroke, and Bigot are making plans to join with the dauphin. Richard arrives, saying that the king would like to see them straightaway. They reply that they are no longer loyal to him since they do not wish to be stained with his dishonor, claiming they “know the worst.” The Bastard tries to persuade them, when they find Arthur’s body. They are shocked and horrified by the sight, believing he has been murdered. Salisbury and the others vow to avenge him.

  Lines 74–165: Hubert enters to tell them
that Arthur is alive but they believe that Hubert has killed him. They threaten him with their swords while Richard strives to keep the peace. Hubert tries to convince them that he’s not responsible. They refuse to believe him and leave to meet the dauphin at Bury. Richard asks Hubert if he knew of Arthur’s death. If he knew of “this most cruel act,” he should despair and kill himself. Hubert tries to convince him of his innocence, assuring Richard that he “left him [Arthur] well.” Richard orders him to lift the body up: Richard thinks he’s losing his way “Among the thorns and dangers of this world.” He foresees all the troubles that will now descend on England through foreign and civil war and John’s authority diminished at home. He reflects that he who can survive “this tempest” is fortunate and orders Hubert to follow him, carrying Arthur. There are a “thousand businesses” to attend to and “heaven itself” looks angrily on England.

  ACT 5 SCENE 1

  Lines 1–30: King John gives up his crown to Cardinal Pandulph who returns it to him with the authority of the Pope. He then asks the Cardinal to go to meet the French and persuade them to return before there’s civil war and strife. The Cardinal agrees that since it was he that “blew this tempest up” because John refused to do the Pope’s will, now that he’s compliant he’ll calm the situation down, bidding him remember his oath of service to the Pope “On this Ascension Day.” He departs and while briefly alone, John recalls the prophecy that he would give the crown up before noon this day. He believed it meant he would be forced to but is thankful that it was “voluntary” on his part.