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The Yale Shakespeare: The Life and Death of King John
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025425382
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 160
Weight: 0.51
Height: 0.34 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Life and Death of King John is a compelling history play by William Shakespeare that dramatizes the turbulent reign of King John, the son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. The narrative delves into the complexities of royal legitimacy, political maneuvering, and the personal costs of power. Centered on the conflict between King John and the young Arthur, who claims a superior right to the English throne, the play explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the influence of the Catholic Church during the thirteenth century.
This work is notable for its intricate character studies, particularly the cynical yet patriotic Philip the Bastard, who serves as a commentator on the shifting political landscape. Shakespeare masterfully portrays the fragility of peace and the devastating impact of war on a nation divided by internal strife and external threats from France. As a significant entry in the Shakespearean canon, The Life and Death of King John offers readers a profound look at the moral ambiguities of leadership and the struggle to maintain a crown amidst shifting alliances.
Through its exploration of political pragmatism and national identity, The Life and Death of King John remains a vital piece of Elizabethan drama. It provides an essential perspective on the historical foundations of the English monarchy while showcasing the poetic depth and psychological insight that define Shakespeare's legendary body of work.
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.
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