Shakespeare's King John--Discussion and Summary

[@reedr7142]

I love this play. It’s the only Shakespeare play I have in two versions-Folgers and Arden.

[@atis9061]

I'm in a Shakespeare performance group. I was always into avant garde theater especially loving Artaud and have been quite surprised how Shakespeare has grown on me. I've fallen in love with the bard at this point now that we've gotten into the histories. I don't know why actors resist Shakespeare. Are they into acting for other reasons than the joy of embodying a character and living the life of it while in performance and rehearsals? Shakespeare is downright MAGIC, when you surrender to the language-you begin to bond to that subtle magic that teaches you.

[@Nancenotes]

Yes! Completely!

[@theacademy7946]

You are amazing! Thank you for this gift.

[@wiambenkousses8572]

I very liked your explanation, carry on and God blesses you

[@jasonpratt5126]

Re "put out his eyes and kill him": not exactly. Hubert has already repented of his agreement to kill Prince Arthur, so he's hoping that by blinding him, thus making him unable to inherit the throne (a point assumed by Shakespeare's audience but easy for modern audiences to miss because it's unstated), he can convince King John to spare the Prince's life. But he gets talked down from this, too, by appeal of the Prince and his own conscience, into faking the Prince's death. The historical Hubert becomes a super-important supporter for Henry III (John's inheritor, not Henry II, that was John's father), possibly the most powerful man in England during that reign, so he's arguably the one character in the play rewarded for his (albeit belated) virtue. (Nevertheless he falls prey like everyone else to the curse of thinking only one step ahead all the time, including in this heel-face turn.)

[@mrbannon0]

Question: do you also study Shakespeare from the POV/context of acting/performance?

[@Nancenotes]

I have not used this approach in formal study, though it’s an excellent way of understanding the piece. These plays were written to be seen and not read. I love watching these performances, but I’m not as confident in my ability/vocabulary to discuss it, simply because of a lack of experience. I should read performance criticism and try to do so sometimes. I probably won’t for this series because I already am doing as much as I have time for.

[@mrbannon0]

@@Nancenotes If you haven't already, read Patrick Tucker's book, "Secrets of Acting Shakespeare".

[@Nancenotes]

I certainly will! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@Nancenotes]

I certainly will! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@kerstinmackenzie6861]

What translation are you using?

[@Nancenotes]

It’s the original text, but I’m reading from the Folger’s edition.

[@kerstinmackenzie6861]

@@Nancenotes Thank you for help me. I found a PDF of it

[@MarcoGrabolos]

17:14 lol

[@raeesayanikkad8669]

Helpful..