King John Act 3.3 to end of Act 4.3 Reading Discussion

This week we are reading more about King Jon and it almost seems like he's fighting against a comedy of errors, everything feels so stacked against him.

I will admit that I'm having a little trouble reading this play very seriously because I keep picturing King John the sulky lion from the Disney Robin Hood movies and keep humming the phony king of England while I read.

Act 3, scene 3

!John prepares to leave for England with his forces. He tells Hubert that Arthur must die. Hubert promises to kill Arthur.!<

Act 3, scene 4

!John’s victories and his capture of Arthur lead the French to despair and Constance to wild grief. Pandulph, predicting Arthur’s death and the hatred of John that will inevitably ensue, encourages the Dauphin to invade England and claim the throne as Blanche’s husband.!<

Act 4, scene 1

!Hubert prepares to put out Arthur’s eyes with hot irons. Arthur begs him to show mercy. Hubert secretly spares Arthur and plans to tell John that Arthur is dead.!<

Act 4, scene 2

!The nobles express their disapproval of John’s second coronation and urge that he set Arthur free. When Hubert brings word that Arthur is dead, the nobles turn against John and go in search of Arthur’s body. A messenger tells John that the French, under the Dauphin, have landed in England and that Eleanor and Constance have both died. After sending the Bastard to try to bring the nobles back, John attacks Hubert for having killed Arthur. When Hubert discloses that Arthur is unharmed, John sends the happy news to the nobles.!<

Act 4, scene 3

!Arthur dies as he attempts to leap from the prison wall. The Bastard reaches the nobles, on their way to meet with the Dauphin, just as they discover Arthur’s body and vow revenge for his death. When Hubert enters, they turn on him as a murderer. The Bastard takes Hubert’s part, and the nobles proceed to their meeting with the Dauphin. Hubert convinces the Bastard of his own innocence, and the Bastard, predicting disaster, returns to King John!<