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$3.36The Story
Like most of Shakespeares history plays, King John presents a struggle for the English crown. The struggle this time, however, is strikingly coldblooded and brutal.John, the younger brother of the late Richard I, is the king, and a savage one. His opponent is a boy, his nephew Arthur, supported by the King of France and the Duke of Austria. After Arthur falls into Johns hands, John plots to torture him. Arthurs capture gives Louis, the Dauphin of France, the opportunity to lay claim to Johns crown. Johns nobles support Louis, but he schemes to betray them.The play finds its hero in another figure: the Bastard, Sir Richard Plantagenet, an illegitimate son of Richard I. Although he has an appetite for war, he also has a strong conscience and speaks with trenchant irony.The authoritative edition of King John from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes:Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the playFull explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the playScenebyscene plot summariesA key to the plays famous lines and phrasesAn introduction to reading Shakespeares languageAn essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the playFresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Librarys vast holdings of rare booksAn annotated guide to further readingEssay by Deborah T. CurrenAquinoThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the worlds largest collection of Shakespeares printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.
Description
Like most of Shakespeares history plays, King John presents a struggle for the English crown. The struggle this time, however, is strikingly coldblooded and brutal.John, the younger brother of the late Richard I, is the king, and a savage one. His opponent is a boy, his nephew Arthur, supported by the King of France and the Duke of Austria. After Arthur falls into Johns hands, John plots to torture him. Arthurs capture gives Louis, the Dauphin of France, the opportunity to lay claim to Johns crown. Johns nobles support Louis, but he schemes to betray them.The play finds its hero in another figure: the Bastard, Sir Richard Plantagenet, an illegitimate son of Richard I. Although he has an appetite for war, he also has a strong conscience and speaks with trenchant irony.The authoritative edition of King John from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes:Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the playFull explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the playScenebyscene plot summariesA key to the plays famous lines and phrasesAn introduction to reading Shakespeares languageAn essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the playFresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Librarys vast holdings of rare booksAn annotated guide to further readingEssay by Deborah T. CurrenAquinoThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the worlds largest collection of Shakespeares printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.
