Character · King John · William Shakespeare

THE BASTARD

1 monologue indexed — plays contempt.

Comic-dramaticContempt20s–30sAdvanced

Monologues

THE BASTARD

Mad world! mad kings! mad composition!

1:20Comic-dramaticAdvanced

To expose self-interest as the only real god men serve, and then indict himself with it.The kings of England and France, sworn enemies moments ago, have just made peace over a marriage and a dowry, betraying the cause they claimed was sacred. The Bastard stays behind to name what he saw.