King John: ‘New Made Honour Doth Forget Men’s Names’

Episode 160

A synopsis of the play
The sources and dating of the play
The problems with a historical drama in verse
The historical accuracy of the play
King John as neither a hero nor anti-hero
Philip the bastard as a central character in the play
The theme of self-identity and changing fortune in the play
Blanche as a representation of innocence manipulated
Queen Eleanor as the power behind the throne
Constance in grief and, maybe, madness, but eloquent
Movement towards the personal in the second half of the play
The confusion over the character of Hubert
The fate of the king as a metaphor for England
The performance history of the play

Link to the silent film from 1899 of the death of king John
youtube.com/watch?v=7lWn99STB1o

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