Sign-In
Cart
The Life and Death of King John
Paperback
British HistoryPlaysShakespeare
ISBN13: 9781025401980
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 156
Weight: 0.50
Height: 0.33 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Life and Death of King John is a compelling historical drama by William Shakespeare that dramatizes the turbulent reign of King John of England. Set against the backdrop of the early 13th century, the play explores profound themes of political legitimacy, the shifting nature of loyalty, and the internal struggles of a monarch facing threats both from the French crown and his own restless nobility. Central to the narrative is the dispute over the throne involving the young Arthur, John's nephew, whose claim to power sets off a chain of tragic and politically charged events.
Through sharp dialogue and complex character studies-most notably the cynical and opportunistic Philip the Bastard-Shakespeare examines the Machiavellian realities of medieval statecraft. The play vividly portrays the clash between church and state, as well as the personal toll of high-stakes diplomacy. As a significant entry in the Shakespearean canon of history plays, The Life and Death of King John offers a meditative look at the instability of power and the moral compromises often required to maintain a kingdom. Its enduring value lies in its portrayal of leadership under pressure and the complexities of national identity.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
1 different editions
Also available
Also from
Williams, Stanley T.
Also in
Shakespeare
Much ADO about Nothing: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Twelfth Night: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Romeo and Juliet: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
As You Like It: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Shakespeare, William
Sparknotes
Paperback
Julius Caesar: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
A Midsummer Night's Dream: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Hamlet: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Romeo and Juliet: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Shakespeare, William
Sparknotes
Paperback
Macbeth: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Julius Caesar: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Shakespeare, William
Sparknotes
Paperback
A Midsummer Night's Dream: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Romeo and Juliet: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Connor, Francis X.
Shakespeare, William
August, Hannah
Paperback
Twelfth Night: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Merchant of Venice: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Shakespeare, William
Sparknotes
Paperback
Othello: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
The Merchant of Venice: No Fear Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
King Lear: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Sparknotes
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Titus Andronicus: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Taylor, Gary
Shakespeare, William
McCarthy, Harry R.
Paperback
Measure for Measure: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Bourus, Terri
Shakespeare, William
Whipday, Emma
Paperback
The History of King Lear: The Oxford Shakespearethe History of King Lear
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Botanical Shakespeare: An Illustrated Compendium of All the Flowers, Fruits, Herbs, Trees, Seeds, and Grasses Cited by the World's Greatest Playwright
Collins, Sumie Hasegawa
Quealy, Gerit
Hardcover
The Tempest: No Fear Shakespeare Deluxe Student Editions - Shakespeare Side-By-Side Plain English
Shakespeare, William
Sparknotes
Paperback
Othello: The Moor of Venice: The Oxford Shakespeareothello: The Moor of Venice
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Macbeth In Plain and Simple English: (A Modern Translation and the Original Version)
Shakespeare, William
Paperback
Julius Caesar: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Adams, Brandi K.
Shakespeare, William
Neville, Sarah
Paperback
As You Like It: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Connor, Francis X.
Shakespeare, William
Borlik, Todd
Paperback
The School for Wives and the Learned Ladies, by Molière: Two Comedies in an Acclaimed Translation.
Wilbur, Richard
Paperback
Arden of Faversham: The New Oxford Shakespeare
Bourus, Terri
Shakespeare, William
Sheeha, Iman
Paperback