King John Summary | Play by William Shakespeare | Neb English Support Class 12
King John by William Shakespeare
SHORT STORYLINE
King John by William Shakespeare
France thinks that Arthur should be the King; they fight; France thinks Louis should be the King; they fight; eventually, Henry becomes the King.
SHORT SUMMARY
King John by William Shakespeare
King John goes to battle against the French after claiming that his nephew should be the king instead. John has a conflict with the church, orders the death of his own nephew, and turns the nobles against him. Finally, John dies of poison, the French retreat, and his son becomes king.
DETAILED SUMMARY
Act I
King John and his mother, Queen Eleanor, welcome and greet a French ambassador. The French King Philip sent an ambassador to claim the English throne on behalf of Prince Artur, John's nephew. Philip himself is willing to support Arthur's claim to the throne. John and Eleanor reject the embassy, and France starts threatening war.
After some time, both Robert and Philip Faulconbridge come to the King to settle disputes regarding their family inheritance. There is confusion in the inheritance law as Philip is the oldest but is an illegitimate child. During their discussion, Eleanor claims that Philip is the bastard son of Richard Coeur-de-Lion (Lionheart), John's late brother. Philip plans to forsake his Faulconbridge inheritance in favour of joining Queen Eleanor's army in France. He is provided with a knighthood and the title of Sir Richard. His mother, Lady Faulconbridge, arrives there to defend his honour. But she secretly admits that Richard Coeur-de-Lion was the father of Philip.
Act II
In France, both King Philip and his court resolved to fight for the claim of Arthur to the English throne. They launch an attack on the English-owned city of Angers. King John arrives to assert his right to the French throne, and King Philip once again pledges his support to Arthur. Eleanor argues with Arthur's mother, Constance, about the claims of their respective sons. The nobles try their best to keep the peace between them. Hubert, the spokesperson for the city of Angers, is asked to judge the situation between the claims. Hubert says that Angers will support whoever wins in the matter of the throne. The battle continues, but both armies claim victory (while neither actually wins). Anger remains on its stand.
KING JOHN, ACT 1 SCENE 1
With no recourse in battle, the bastard Philip suggests they unite and punish Angers for their indecision. The spokesperson, Hubert (now suddenly full of ideas), puts forward his proposal of a peace marriage between John's niece, Blanche, and the French Dauphin, Louis, to unite the two countries. John supports the match by promising five different English provinces within France as dowries. Both Louis and Blanche agree, and John gives Arthur a noble title to pacify his mother. The bastard Philip sees John's surrender as an unwanted compromise and resolves to pursue the riches only for himself.
Act III
Constance looks to the new Anglo-French alliance and her son's lost inheritance. Arthur himself desires peace. On the day of Louis and Blanche's wedding, Constance keeps on arguing. The wedding party is interrupted by Cardinal Pandolph at the Pope's embassy. He questions John's refusal to accept the new archbishop of Canterbury. After criticising and denying the far-reaching power of the Pope, John is excommunicated. King Philip was originally hesitant to oppose John because of the newly formed relationship between him and John, but Pandolph persuaded King Philip to oppose John and remove him from the office.
In the ensuing battle, King John captures Prince Arthur and sends him to Hubert's care in England. Eleanor and the Bastard continue to battle the French. John persuades Hubert of Angers that Arthur must die, as he shows too much of a threat to the throne of John. King Philip and Louis mourn the loss of Angers and even Prince Arthur. Constance, distraught over the loss of her son, blames the Cardinal and commits herself entirely to grief. The Cardinal persuades Louis to attack England while the whole country is in turmoil. He tells Philip that he has a claim to the throne. Under King John's direction, Hubert is ordered to kill Arthur.
Act IV
Hubert threatens first to blind the prince and then to kill him, but relents when the boy pleads for mercy. Hubert plans to hide him instead.
KING JOHN, ACT 5 SCENE 1
King John consults with his courtiers, who ask for Arthur's independence, knowing that Hubert was ordered to kill him. A messenger brings news from France: both Eleanor and Constance have died (Constance of Madness). And Louis keeps on threatening to invade England. The Bastard arrives to tell of his success in gathering support, bringing a prisoner whom John promptly imprisons in Hubert's care. Hubert tells John that Arthur is dead, much to the dismay and anger of his nobles, most of whom go to join Louis in his siege. When John becomes angry at Hubert, he denies committing the murder. In the meantime, Arthur kills himself by jumping off the castle walls. The nobles who find his dead body blame both Hubert and John; most of them join Louis in his rebellion against John.
Act V
As the French army moves towards London, reinforced by the defecting lords, John yields to the supremacy of the Church in exchange for protection. Pandolph talks to Louis on John's behalf, but Louis will not be impressed. The Bastard, leading the King's army, also sues for peace with the rebels, but war ensues regardless. John, stricken with illness, takes refuge in an abbey. During the time of the battle, Melun, a dying French lord, tells the defecting English lords that they have joined the wrong side. He warns them to return to the English forces as Louis decides to kill them if the French force wins.
Hubert seeks out the Bastard with the news that King John has been poisoned. The nobles bring the son of John Henry to the abbey to witness John's death. The Bastard has lost most of his armies, but the opposing side eventually takes Pandolph's advice and halts their attack. Prince Henry, now the King, orders his father's burial while the Bastard declares peace throughout England.
CLICK HERE 👇 TO READ
Thanks for Visiting my Website: Suraj Bhatt
Post a Comment