King John Act 2 – “Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France… From a resolved and honourable war, to a most base and vile-concluded peace."

King John Act 2 – “Clapp'd on the outward eye of fickle France… From a resolved and honourable war, to a most base and vile-concluded peace.”

France until recent times has never been a unified entity even since the Treaty of Verdun in 843AD. Battles by English kings on what is now known as French soil were a way for both French and English kings to gain glory, sovereignty and riches. It is interesting that Act 2 of ‘King John’ shows how the face of war is so easily turned by both the firm and fair faces of women and of little seemingly insignificant townships.

The scene switches to outside the walls of the town of Angers. King Philip has assembled a force with Austria to attack Angers if it doesn’t swear allegiance to Arthur as the true king of England. Arthur is remarkably subdued during this interlude although his mother Constance have a lot to say. Chatillon arrives back from England and wants King Phillip to, “Then turn your forces from this paltry siege

And stir them up against a mightier task..”

This is because King John’s large army is almost upon them. King John enters with Queen Eleanor and the Bastard and others. The Bastard will utter asides and end this act with a monologue and thus becomes a commentator to the action as it unfolds, albeit one we know is not entirely to be trusted. After civilities, we see that we are at an impasse since King Philip will not give up until John takes his forces back to England without a fight and gives Arthur the crown of England. Of course, John sees this as unacceptable and even questions where Philip gets off on such demands and claims. King Philip infers that God himself has made him the caretaker of Arthur’s affairs on earth. John scoffs at this.

Arguments about bastardy, infidelity and claims to the thrown abound. Arthur finds this too much and weeps (obviously not a majestical quality). King Philip stops all this and asks the people of Angers to choose their allegiance.  Angers’ citizens say they are subjects of the King of England but refuse to name who they think the King of England is. The people of Angers then leave. Just when the French and the English armies are about to clash. The Bastard suggests that such a small power as Angers should not be holding these two great nations to ransom and suggests that the two armies temporarily join forces against the citizens of Angers. Angers seems to be outplayed.


But then a Citizen of Angers enters with Blanche, the daughter of the King of Spain. The hand in marriage of Blanche is offered to young Louis so that King John would be supported. The tide has turned.King John offers a number of English territories as a dowry. King Philip finally asks Louis how he would feel about the match. Louis is in love and enchanted by Blanche’s beauty. Both King John and King Philip agree. King John sweetens the deal by saying that he will pay off Arthur with lands and property.

The Bastard is then left alone. He bemoans what has taken place:

“Mad world! mad kings! mad composition!”

And then goes on to rail against women and against the rich. He reaches the conclusion that his poverty and his new position are his greatest commodities and he decides he will use them to his own advantage.