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The authoritative edition of King John from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Like most of Shakespeare's history plays, King John presents a struggle for the English crown. The struggle this time, however,... Read Full Overview

Edited by the eminent A.R. Braunmuller, this thorough edition of King John--the first scholarly edition in almost fifteen years--makes a significant contribution to the study of Shakespeare's works. Braunmuller offers a wide-ranging critical introduction, which focuses on the... Read Full Overview

King John is a study not only of a king and his political misfortunes, but also of a period--a period of profound changes in society at large, and hence one of unprecedented stressed. John's personality, so distorted by chronicles such as Roger of Wendover and Matthew Paris,... Read Full Overview

War and Betrayal-- France threatens war with England unless King John renounces his claim to the throne in favor of his nephew Arthur. John refuses and war ensues. John is excommunicated by the Pope, and his nephew Arthur dies under mysterious circumstances. Well, whiles I am... Read Full Overview

France threatens war with England unless King John renounces his claim to the throne in favor of his nephew Arthur. John refuses and war ensues. John is excommunicated by the Pope, and his nephew Arthur dies under mysterious circumstances.

King John had a distinguished life on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stage, and this edition presents the fullest account of its stage history. The play's political importance, its rich and varied language, and its skillful design suggest that King John deserves a high... Read Full Overview