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Overview

Synopsis

The Tragedy of Edward II is the only history play written by Christopher Marlowe, and one of the earliest English history plays ever written. Marlowe tells the story of King Edward’s affection and rumored love affair with Piers Gaveston, an attendant in the royal household, exiled by Edward’s father for his influence over the young royal. When Edward II’s father dies, Gaveston returns, only to be banished again by the barons of England who see Gaveston as a threat to the stability and integrity of the throne. King Edward is despondent without Gaveston and desperate to have him back, which leaves the barons only one option: Kill Gaveston. Guided by Edward’s Queen Isabella, the She-Wolf of France, the barons undertake a campaign to return England to prosperity. But getting rid of Gaveston is only the beginning--after the Battle of Boroughbridge, the lines are drawn and the nobles of England must take sides. Are they in support of Edward II and his rule? Or will they join Queen Isabella and Prince Edward in claiming the crown? As one noble declares: “You must be proud, bold, pleasant, resolute, And now and then stab as occasion serves.” In Edward II, the play that established a genre for others (including Shakespeare) to follow, Marlowe creates complicated and compelling characters in a power struggle for the ages.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1592
Genres
Drama, Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, 1320s
Cast Size
large
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Includes Adult, Early Teen, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Elderly Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

King Edward II

Lead

Male

Young Mortimer

Lead

Male

Queen Isabella

Lead

Female

Prince Edward

Supporting

Male

Kent

Supporting

Male

Gaveston

Supporting

Male

Archbishop of Canterbury

Supporting

Male

Bishop of Coventry

Supporting

Male

Lancaster

Supporting

Male

Old Mortimer

Supporting

Male

Pembroke

Supporting

Male

Baldock

Supporting

Male

Young Spenser

Supporting

Male

Margaret de Clare

Supporting

Female

Arundel

Supporting

Male

Elder Spenser

Supporting

Male

Sir John of Hainault

Supporting

Male

Levune

Supporting

Male

Rice ap Howell

Supporting

Male

Leicester

Supporting

Male

Matrevis

Supporting

Male

Gurney

Supporting

Male

Lightborn

Supporting

Male

Warwick

Supporting

Male

James

Featured

Male

Abbot

Featured

Male

Bishop of Winchester

Featured

Male

Trussell

Featured

Male

Berkeley

Featured

Male

Beaumont

Featured

Male

Soldiers, Messengers, Guards, Clergy, Attendants

Featured

Either Gender

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress