King John

Set during the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries, the play explores King John's tumultuous reign as he battles for legitimacy against King Philip of France, who claims the throne for John's nephew, Arthur. The narrative unfolds through a web of alliances, betrayals, and violence, revealing John as a ruthless ruler willing to commit heinous acts to maintain his power. This edition features annotations by Henry N. Hudson and an introduction by Charles Harold Herford, enhancing the reader's understanding of Shakespeare's exploration of power dynamics.