To further increase Gaveston’s social status, Edward arranges a marriage between his niece-Lady Margaret, daughter of the powerful Earl of Gloucester-and Gaveston. Act 2: Civil WarĪlthough he continues to clash with the barons, Gaveston is glad to return to the king. Meanwhile they hope to discreetly arrange Gaveston’s murder. But soon afterward Mortimer Junior decides the barons should allow Gaveston to return, ensuring they’ll keep the king’s favor. The barons and the Archbishop of Canterbury arrange for Gaveston to be exiled again. Only Kent-the Earl of Kent and Edward’s brother-supports the king.

She begins an affair with Mortimer Junior. Queen Isabella-Edward’s wife-is angry that Edward has sexually rejected her. The barons also object to the amount of money Edward spends on Gaveston. Aristocratic titles are traditionally inherited through birth, and Gaveston hasn’t earned them since he is not from a noble family. Several barons or powerful noblemen in the court-Mortimer Junior, Mortimer Senior, Warwick, Lancaster, and Pembroke-are outraged.

He also imprisons the Bishop of Coventry for opposing Gaveston’s return. Edward immediately gives Gaveston aristocratic honors and titles. The lovers are overjoyed to see each other. He arranges for his lover Gaveston, a Frenchman, to return to England after a long exile.

Act 1: The Conflict BeginsĮdward has just been crowned King Edward II of England. His first order of business is to recall his bosom favourite, Piers Gaveston from exile.Christopher Marlowe‘s Edward II dramatizes events in the reign of the historical Edward II, king of England from 1307–27. Our Story: King Edward I has just died, and his son, also Edward, ascends the throne. Frequently referring to, but generally by-passing, most of the important political developments of Edward’s reign (1307-1327), the story focuses in laser-like fashion on Edward’s weakness of character and obsession with his personal favourites the result is a tragedy of the highest order. The history play Edward II repre sents the ultimate affirmation of Christopher Marlowe’s power and skill as a dramatist, and is to boot the only play of his which can be confidently stated to be an unadulterated example of his work. Language Difficulty Rating: 4 (slightly difficult).

Edward 11 christopher marlowe