← All Plays

    King John

    history

    King John is one of Shakespeare's lesser-known history plays, set long before his other English histories. John sits on the throne, but his young nephew Arthur has a stronger claim, and France backs the boy. Caught between war abroad and rebellion at home, John orders Arthur killed, a decision that turns his own nobles against him. As enemies close in from every side, John is finally poisoned by a monk, and his son inherits a shaken kingdom.

    ▸SCENE I. KING JOHN'S palace.

    ▸SCENE I. France. Before Angiers.

    ▸SCENE I. The French King's pavilion.▸SCENE II. The same. Plains near Angiers.▸SCENE III. The same.▸SCENE IV. The same. KING PHILIP'S tent.

    ▸SCENE I. A room in a castle.▸SCENE II. KING JOHN'S palace.▸SCENE III. Before the castle.

    ▸SCENE I. KING JOHN'S palace.▸SCENE II. LEWIS's camp at St. Edmundsbury.▸SCENE III. The field of battle.▸SCENE IV. Another part of the field.▸SCENE V. The French camp.▸SCENE VI. An open place in the neighbourhood of Swinstead Abbey.▸SCENE VII. The orchard in Swinstead Abbey.

    Characters

    View all characters →Explore themes →
    King JohnKing of England, disputed rulerPhilip the BastardIllegitimate son of Richard I, loyal to EnglandConstanceArthur's mother, grief-stricken advocateHubert de BurghTasked with Arthur's murder, refuses

    Famous Quotes

    See all quotes →

    “To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, To smooth the ice, or add another hue Unto the rainbow.”

    Salisbury — Act 4, Scene 2

    “This England never did, nor never shall, Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror.”

    Bastard — Act 5, Scene 7

    “Sweet, sweet, sweet poison for the age's tooth.”

    Bastard — Act 1, Scene 1

    Further Reading

    Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More

    A curated collection of Shakespeare's most famous lines, organised by theme, from love and loss to daily wisdom, sport and celebration. Each quote includes the play it comes from and why it still resonates.

    Who Was William Shakespeare? A Complete Life and Biography

    The life of Shakespeare: born in Stratford 1564, the Globe, his death in 1616, and the First Folio. The facts, checked.

    Test Your Knowledge

    Think you know your Shakespeare? Put it to the test with one of our free quizzes.

    Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz Hamlet Quiz Romeo & Juliet Quiz Emoji Quiz Insults Quiz
    See all quizzes →
    Buy the Arden edition on Amazon →

    As an Amazon Associate, ShakespeareGo earns from qualifying purchases.