The Cambridge Companion to Christopher Marlowe says by way of introduction, “As Marlowe has emerged in recent years as early modern England's most modern playwright, Edward II has emerged as his most modern play, not merely because it treats the life and loves, and stages the brutal debasement, of a recognizably (if not exclusively) homosexual monarch, but also because it presents a decidedly direct and demystified portrayal of power politics at work, showing political positions to be little more than transparent extensions of the personal desires and ambitions that motivate them.” Based off of the history of King Edward II, the play depicts the king’s homosexuality and love for a lowborn man as dangerous to the realm, thus leading to his nobles’ revolt and his own brutal death at their hands. His first order of business is to recall his bosom favourite, Piers Gaveston from exile.Edward II, first performed probably between 1587-1592 and published in 1594, is one of Renaissance playwright Christopher Marlowe’s most famous works. 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).
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