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Piers Gaveston
Mortimer Junior is a powerful member of the English nobility and, eventually, the lead challenger to Edward II's rule. As Marlowe states outright in the play's full title, Mortimer is extremely “proud,” and he views the presence and influence of Gaveston—a commoner—as an affront to his own rightful position and dignity. Further exacerbating Mortimer's resentment is the fact that Gaveston encourages the king to spend money on pageants and plays rather than military matters. Besides being rather militant and hot-tempered himself, Mortimer feels (or at least expresses) a sense of obligation to the former soldiers now in need of pensions. Although Mortimer never makes any secret of his discontent, it is likely Edward's unwillingness to pay ransom for the return of Mortimer Junior’s uncle, Mortimer Senior, that pushes him into open rebellion. While Mortimer’s initial resistance to Edward II seems to be based on a degree of principle, he grows increasingly less sympathetic as he rises to a position of power. He has Edward murdered, despite Edward’s willingness to abdicate the throne, and after becoming the lover of Edward’s wife, Isabella, he uses his relationship with her to manipulate both her and her young son Edward III—the new king. The courage and resignation with which he faces his own execution at the end of the play, however, do restore a sense of dignity to him in the play's final moments.
Mortimer Junior Quotes in Edward II
The Edward II quotes below are all either spoken by Mortimer Junior or refer to Mortimer Junior. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Act 1, Scene 1 Quotes
Come uncle, let us leave the brainsick King,
And henceforth parley with our naked swords.
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When it becomes clear that Edward has no intention of giving Gaveston up, the nobles storm off issuing threats of war. Mortimer Junior's words, however, are particularly significant, because they explicitly associate violence and language—two forces which are often at odds in the play, but which also overlap in some ways. Here, for instance, Mortimer describes his sword as speaking, implying that violence itself can function as a form of communication when language itself fails. Mortimer, of course, vastly prefers action to talking, so his words here also help to establish a clear contrast between him and Edward, who loves Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusant
Act 1, Scene 2 Quotes
Bishop of Canterbury: …We and the rest that are his councillors
Will meet and with a general consent
Confirm his banishment with our hands and seals.
Lancaster: What we confirm the King will frustrate.
Mortimer Junior: Then may we lawfully revolt from him.
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In the aftermath of Gaveston's attack on the Bishop of Coventry, the nobles and the Bishop of Canterbury meet to discuss how to address the threat they feel Gaveston poses. The conversation quickly turns toward rebellion, and Canterbury—alarmed by the thought of rising against the King—urges the nobles to instead present a legal order for Gaveston's exile. Mortimer responds with what is possibly the clearest articulation of why the nobles' rebellion might be considered legitimate: by ignoring the law himself, Edward II would undercut his own claims to lawful rule and therefore free the nobility of any responsibility to obey Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae
Act 1, Scene 4 Quotes
Edward: Lay hands on that traitor Mortimer!
Mortimer Senior: Lay hands on that traitor Gaveston!
[The NOBLES draw swords]
Kent: Is this the duty that you owe your King?
Warwick: We know our duties; let him know his peers.
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When Edward places Gaveston beside his throne, the nobles react with outrage, and Mortimer Junior goes so far as to predict the "downfall" of both the King and his favorite. Edward responds with this order for Mortimer Junior's arrest, and the exchange that follows distills the conflicting perspectives the play offers on treason and monarchical legitimacy. Mortimer's words certainly seem treasonous at first glance, since they directly threaten the reigning king. The nobles, however, view Gaveston as the true traitor, both because he is manipulating Edward (and thus usurping the king's status) and because his actions are harming the country's Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesc
Edward: Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone.
Isabella: On whom but on my husband should I fawn?
Gaveston: On Mortimer, with whom, ungentle Queen—
I say no more; judge you the rest, my lord.
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As Edward prepares to accompany Gaveston on his way to exile in Ireland, Isabella stumbles across her husband and asks him where he is going. Edward responds with an insult—"French strumpet"—and then takes his wife to task both for her foreign birth and for her sexual promiscuity. Since there is no indication, at this point in the play, that Isabella actually has been unfaithful to her husband, the latter charge is puzzling. It does, however, draw a parallel between Isabella and Gaveston, who (like the Queen) is French, and whose sexual behavior lies outside societal norms. In other words, where Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusantium est. Mollitia eaque ipsa. Perferendis consectetur et. Dicta impedit ut. Ducimus possimus quo. Non inventore in. Eligendi atque placeat. Molestiae earum eum. Libero sit beatae. At a deserunt. Sint aperiam consequatur. Minima porro perferendis. Sit neque odit. Tenetur qui dignissimos. Qui et ut. Voluptate labore corporis. Hic tempore laborum. Nisi quia ea. Quia soluta itaque. Deleniti
His wanton humour grieves not me,
But this I scorn, that one so basely born
Should by his sovereign's favour grow so pert,
And riot it with the treasure of the realm
While soldiers mutiny for want of pay.
He wear's a lord's revenue on his back,
And Midas-like he jets it in the court
With base outlandish cullions at his heels,
Whose proud fantastic liveries make such show
As if that Proteus, god of shapes, appeared.
I have not seen a dapper jack so brisk;
He wears a short Italian hooded cloak,
Larded with pearl; and in his Tuscan cap
A jewel of more value than the crown.
Whiles other walk below, the King and he
From out a window laugh at such as we,
And flout our train and jest at our attire.
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Before Mortimer Senior leaves to lead Edward's army in Scotland, he urges tolerance of Edward's relationship with Gaveston, telling Mortimer Junior that it is not unusual for a king to have a favorite, and that Edward will likely outgrow the infatuation in time. Mortimer, however, refuses to listen to his uncle, because it is not primarily the nature of Edward and Gaveston's relationship that concerns him. Although the above speech does touch on Gaveston's sexuality—"cullions," for instance, means both "scoundrels" and "testicles"—Mortimer references it in the context of Gaveston's broader status as an outsider. Gaveston, for instance, is French and Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debitis. Voluptatem accusanti
Act 2, Scene 2 Quotes
Base leaden earls that glory in your birth,
Go sit at home and eat your tenants' beef,
And come not here to scoff at Gaveston,
Whose mounting thoughts did never creep so low
As to bestow a look on such as you.
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When Gaveston returns from his second exile, the nobles greet him with mocking references to the titles Edward has conferred on him—the implication being that Gaveston is still not a true nobleman despite these honors. Gaveston responds with the above insult, which undercuts the grounds for the nobles' own mockery by suggesting that there is nothing noble about inherited wealth and power. In fact, Gaveston implies that there is something distinctly ignoble about the nobility's status: he refers to them as "base," which is a word the nobles themselves have repeatedly used to describe Gaveston's low birth. This implication becomes Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusant
Act 3, Scene 3 Quotes
Mortimer Junior: Then, Edward, thou wilt fight it to the last,
And rather bathe thy sword in subjects' blood
Than banish that pernicious company?
Edward: Ay, traitors all! Rather than thus be braved,
Make England's civil towns huge heaps of stones
And ploughs to go about our palace gates.
Warwick: A desperate and unnatural resolution.
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As Edward and the rebel nobles fight over the King's favoritism of Spencer Junior, Mortimer Junior asks Edward whether Spencer's companionship is truly worth killing his own subjects. Edward replies that it in fact is, insisting that he would rather destroy every town in England than allow the nobles to overrule him. Presumably, Edward's determination reflects not only his feelings for Spencer, but also his belief in his absolute power as king: yielding to the nobles would mean admitting that they should in fact have some power to curb his actions. Not surprisingly, Edward's words appall the nobles, who have Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi nece
Act 4, Scene 4 Quotes
Isabella:…A heavy case,
When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive
In civil broils make kin and countrymen
Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides
With their own weapons gored. But what's the help?
Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wrack;
And Edward, thou art one among them all,
Whose looseness hath betrayed thy land to spoil
And made the channels overflow with blood.
Of thine own people patron shouldst thou be,
But thou—
Mortimer Junior: Nay madam, if you be a warrior,
Ye must not grow so passionate in speeches.
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When Isabella and Mortimer Junior arrive in Bristol to do battle with Edward II, Isabella launches into what appears to be a speech to rally the troops. Tellingly, however, Mortimer interrupts her midsentence and tells her that her words are not suited to the battlefield. He describes her speech as too "passionate," but it seems likely that he also views it as overly long and too abstract in its speculations about the causes of civil war. Mortimer, as always, prefers action to words. With that said, Isabella's words actually do have significance in terms of the play as a whole. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum voluptas debit
Act 5, Scene 1 Quotes
But what are kings, when regiment is gone,
But perfect shadows in a sunshine day?
My nobles rule; I bear the name of King.
I wear the crown, but am controlled by them
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When Edward is imprisoned at Kenilworth, he initially responds to Leicester's attempts at consolation by saying that it is hard for him, as a former king, to bear his current situation. As Edward continues to speak, however, he begins to question his former attitudes toward kingship. For most of the play, Edward has insisted on the exceptionality of his position as king, arguing that it gives him (for example) the right to completely ignore the wishes of the nobility. Now, however, Edward suggests that a king stripped of the outward signs of royalty is no different than any other person. Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusan
Well may I rend his name that rends my heart!
This poor revenge hath something eased my mind.
So may his limbs be torn, as is this paper!
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When Berkeley arrives at Kenilworth, he brings a letter from Mortimer Junior dismissing the Earl of Leicester and entrusting Edward to Berkeley himself. The note enrages Edward, who suspects (correctly) that Mortimer has dismissed Leicester for being too sympathetic to the deposed king. Edward therefore tears up the letter, wishing as he does so that he could tear similarly tear Mortimer's body apart. The moment thus ties together themes of violence and language, while hinting that the latter may prove stronger in the end. Although Edward's "attack" on Mortimer's name seems futile, it bears a striking resemblance to Mortimer's ultimate Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti soluta. Qui aut a. Rerum volupta
Act 5, Scene 6 Quotes
King Edward III: Traitor, in me my loving father speaks
And plainly saith, 'twas thou that murd'redst him.
Mortimer Junior: But hath your grace no other proof than this?
King Edward III: Yes, if this be the hand of Mortimer.
[He presents the letter]
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When Edward III charges Mortimer Junior with murdering Edward II, Mortimer initially denies the charge and asks who "dares" to accuse him. Edward III responds by saying that his father, Edward II, is speaking through him to accuse Mortimer, and then produces the letter that Mortimer wrote ordering the former King's death. In this way, the exchange is a double vindication of the power of language over violence: Edward II figuratively speaks from beyond the grave to accuse Mortimer, and it is Mortimer's own words that prove his guilt. The passage also marks the reestablishment of "proper" social order after Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error.
Base Fortune, now I see that in thy wheel
There is a point to which, when men aspire,
They tumble headlong down; that point I touched,
And seeing there was no place to mount up higher,
Why should I grieve at my declining fall?
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When Edward III discovers and publically reveals the role that Mortimer Junior played in Edward II's murder, Mortimer quickly resigns himself to his impending execution. Where Mortimer had previously (and arrogantly) assumed that he could control his fate by sheer force of will, he now accepts that "Fortune" lies outside of human control and inevitably cuts down anyone who aspires to power. There is relatively little sense, however, that fortune is punishing ambition: instead, Mortimer's words echo earlier speeches (e.g. Baldock's) that depict this rising and falling as a basic fact of existence, comparable to life and death. This to Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Pro
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Mortimer Junior Character Timeline in Edward II
The timeline below shows where the character Mortimer Junior appears in Edward II. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 1, Scene 1
...is again interrupted, this time by the arrival of Edward and several nobles: Lancaster, Warwick, Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior, and Kent. Edward is attempting to persuade the nobility to allow Gaveston's...
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...to Edward, Kent urges his brother to execute the nobles as a warning to others. Mortimer Junior responds to this threat with one of his own, saying that the nobles will...
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Act 1, Scene 2
Some time after The Bishop of Coventry's arrest, Warwick and Lancaster meet with Mortimer Senior and Mortimer Junior to discuss the situation. Warwick confirms that Coventry is in prison...
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...not need to, because “God himself is up in arms.” He does, however, agree with Mortimer Junior that Gaveston should be banished or beheaded.
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Mortimer Junior notices Queen Isabella walking past in a hurry, and asks her where she is...
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Mortimer Junior tells Isabella to return to court, promising that the nobility will see Gaveston banished...
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...for the council meeting to take place. As the men leave, Isabella again pleads with Mortimer Junior not to go to war with Edward. Mortimer promises not to, but only if...
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Act 1, Scene 3
Gaveston and Kent enter, deep in conversation. Gaveston explains that Warwick, Mortimer Senior, Mortimer Junior, and Lancaster (who “hath more earldoms than an ass can bear”) are...
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Act 1, Scene 4
...Canterbury and several nobles enter, putting their final signatures on the order for Gaveston's exile. Mortimer Junior is especially hopeful that the addition of his name will intimidate Edward.
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...the King: “Ignoble vassal, that like Phaëthon / Aspir'st unto the guidance of the sun.” Mortimer Junior, however, assures his fellow nobles that Edward and Gaveston's “downfall is at hand.” This...
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Enraged, Edward threatens to kill the nobles if they leave with Gaveston. Mortimer Senior says that it is unfair to threaten them as if they were “traitors,” and...
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Mortimer Junior and Warwick continue to defend the justice of their actions, but Edward refuses to...
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...impatient, the Bishop of Canterbury and Lancaster again urge the King to sign the order. Mortimer Junior, meanwhile, questions why Edward “should love him whom the world hates so,” and Edward...
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Lancaster takes the signed order to display publically, while Mortimer Junior goes to see to Gaveston. Pembroke speculates that the common people will profit from...
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...Isabella questions who she should “fawn on” if not her husband, and Gaveston responds with Mortimer Junior's name, implying the two are having an affair. Isabella denies the accusation, saying it...
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Lancaster, Warwick, Pembroke, Mortimer Senior, and Mortimer Junior enter and witness Isabella's distress. The nobles speculate that Edward must...
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As Mortimer Junior and Isabella talk privately, Lancaster asks the other nobles for assurance that they will...
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When Mortimer Junior rejoins the nobles, he says that while he hates Gaveston, he is now convinced...
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The nobles agree that Mortimer Junior's plan is sound but are not entirely convinced. He therefore points out additional advantages:...
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...has “news” for him, which Edward immediately implies is evidence of her supposed affair with Mortimer Junior. Isabella ignores this and informs him that Gaveston will soon return, asking whether this...
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...will be his “chiefest counsellor,” Pembroke will carry the sword of state on official occasions, Mortimer Junior will be Lord Marshal, and Mortimer Senior will lead the army that is ready...
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...have restated their obedience to his wishes. Isabella, Pembroke, Warwick, and Lancaster also exit, leaving Mortimer Senior and Mortimer Junior alone.
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Mortimer Senior reminds Mortimer Junior that he will soon be leaving for Scotland, and urges his...
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Act 2, Scene 1
...of the recently deceased Earl of Gloucester—enter, discussing whom they should serve now. Spencer rejects Mortimer on the grounds that he is feuding with Edward II, and proposes seeking out the...
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Act 2, Scene 2
Edward, Isabella, Lancaster, Mortimer Junior, Warwick, Pembroke, and Kent are waiting for Gaveston's arrival. The King is impatient and...
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Mortimer Junior describes the scene that will decorate his shield: “A lofty cedar tree fair flourishing…And...
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In an aside to the other nobles, Mortimer Junior worries that Gaveston's presence will just deepen Edward's fervor. At that very moment, however,...
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As Gaveston leaves, Isabella laments Mortimer Junior's rash actions. Mortimer, unrepentant, implies that his only regret is that he didn’t kill...
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Warwick, Mortimer Junior, Lancaster, and Pembroke are now more convinced than ever of the need for Gaveston's...
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As the nobles make plans, a messenger arrives with a letter from Scotland, informing Mortimer Junior that his uncle, Mortimer Senior, is being held for ransom. Mortimer feels that Edward...
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A guard arrives just as Mortimer Junior is hinting darkly at what he will do if Edward does not agree to...
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Edward begins to complain about the behavior of Lancaster and Mortimer Junior, but the nobles cut him off in order to list their own grievances: that...
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Mortimer Junior and Lancaster leave, resolving to sell the Mortimer castle for ransom money and then...
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...the nobles going to war, and Edward again taunts her about her supposed affair with Mortimer Junior. Lady Margaret and Gaveston, who have entered with Isabella, urge Edward to be kinder...
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Edward and Gaveston discuss what to do about Mortimer Junior now that he is openly threatening “civil wars”: Gaveston favors imprisoning or murdering him,...
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Act 2, Scene 3
Kent appears before Lancaster, Mortimer Junior, Warwick, and Pembroke, saying that “love to this [their] native land” has compelled him...
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...and Edward are “frolicking” in Tynemouth, and the nobles resolve to attack the castle, with Mortimer Junior declaring that he will raise the “tattered ensign of [his] ancestors.” Although Lancaster warns...
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Act 2, Scene 4
...says goodbye to both Gaveston and Lady Margaret, but only bids farewell to Isabella “for Mortimer, [her] lover's sake.” Everyone then leaves except for Isabella, who reiterates that she loves no...
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Lancaster, Warwick, and Mortimer Junior burst in. They are searching for Edward, and Mortimer interrupts Isabella's lament about her...
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...as a group. Before they leave, however, a dispute arises about where Isabella should go: Mortimer urges her to either stay in place or go with him, but Isabella declines, saying...
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Act 2, Scene 5
Lancaster, Warwick, Pembroke, Mortimer Junior, and their forces chase after Gaveston, who is taunting them as he enters. Mortimer...
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Act 3, Scene 3
Mortimer Junior, Kent, Lancaster, Warwick, and Pembroke appear, and the two sides exchange boasts and insults....
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Act 3, Scene 4
...Baldock, and Levune appear, and they have a number of nobles (Kent, Warwick, Lancaster, and Mortimer Junior) under guard. Edward is boasting about his victory, which he attributes to “justice” rather...
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Mortimer Junior laments the state of the country, which he addresses directly: “England, unkind to thy...
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Act 4, Scene 1
...to [his] country's cause.” Nevertheless, he remains where he is, waiting for the arrival of Mortimer Junior, who has devised a plan to escape his captors. Mortimer duly appears, though in...
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Act 4, Scene 2
...her and agrees to go to Hainault. At that moment, however, she notices Kent and Mortimer Junior entering.
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Isabella is surprised to see Kent and Mortimer Junior, whom she had heard were dead. Mortimer, however, explains that he is "reserved for...
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Sir John urges Kent and Mortimer Junior to accompany Isabella to Hainault, where they will be able to raise both money...
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Act 4, Scene 3
...money he has spent there. Finally, he asks whether Spencer has issued a reward for Mortimer Junior's capture and dismisses the idea that Mortimer could have slipped out of the country.
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...buying off the French nobility and that Isabella, disappointed, went to Hainault with Kent and Mortimer Junior to raise an army. The news of Mortimer's escape and Kent's betrayal angers Edward,...
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Act 4, Scene 4
Isabella, Mortimer Junior, Kent, Prince Edward, and Sir John arrive in England. Isabella laments the necessity of...
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Mortimer Junior interrupts Isabella and tells her that she must be less “passionate” in speech if...
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Act 4, Scene 5
...to “punish this unnatural revolt.” However, he then chastises himself for speaking so openly, knowing Mortimer Junior will kill him if he discovers his loyalties have changed. Finally, Kent confirms for...
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Isabella, Mortimer Junior, Prince Edward, and Sir John now appear as well. Isabella appoints Prince Edward viceroy...
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Kent asks Isabella what she intends to do with Edward II, and Mortimer Junior grows irritated, saying that that is a matter for Parliament to decide. Privately, however,...
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...her "lord's ill fortune," but says she had no choice but to go to war. Mortimer Junior, however, brushes Isabella's qualms aside, saying that Edward “wronged [the] country and himself.”
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Mortimer Junior gives orders for Spencer Senior's execution, but the latter condemns Mortimer and Isabella as...
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Act 4, Scene 6
...betrayed. Baldock explains that bad weather thwarted their voyage to Ireland, leaving them vulnerable to Mortimer Junior. At this, Edward exclaims, “Who wounds me with the name of Mortimer, / That...
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...begins to say his goodbye to his companions, blaming their misfortunes on “hell and cruel Mortimer.” Meanwhile, the Abbot looks on, distressed to see a king “bear these words and proud...
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Act 5, Scene 1
...king, he says, he cannot help but chafe against his imprisonment at the hands of Mortimer Junior and his “unnatural queen” Isabella. Almost as soon as he has vowed to seek...
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...by arguing that they “crave the crown” for the sake of England and Prince Edward—not Mortimer Junior. Edward, however, suspects that Mortimer plans to take power himself and hopes that the...
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...takes off his crown, remarking that while it is hard to stomach the thought of Mortimer Junior as king, his fate leaves him no choice. He further asks for death, since...
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...definite answer from Edward about whether he will give up the crown. Edward responds that Mortimer Junior and the other “traitors” can do as they wish, but that he will not...
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...tears”—to take to Isabella. He fears for Prince Edward's safety while his son is under Mortimer Junior's care, but hopes the Prince will prove a better ruler than he himself did....
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...and appoints Berkeley as Edward's guard. Edward tears up the letter, which was written by Mortimer Junior, but resigns himself to go with Berkeley on the grounds that he can only...
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Act 5, Scene 2
At court, Mortimer Junior rejoices in the execution of Edward's supporters as well as at the imprisonment of...
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...custody. He warns, however, that Berkeley may pity the King too much to be trustworthy. Mortimer Junior consequently plans to move Edward, but Isabella hints that it might be safer to...
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Mortimer Junior summons Gourney and Maltravers, entrusting the latter with a message dismissing Berkeley. He then...
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Gourney leaves, and Mortimer Junior tells Isabella in an aside to keep up her pretense: Prince Edward and Kent...
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...his father wants to have happen. Isabella, however, says that this is impossible, and she, Mortimer Junior, and Kent begin to argue: Kent doubts the couple's sincerity, and Mortimer Junior claims...
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Act 5, Scene 3
...whether he will ever be allowed to rest, and offers up his heart to satisfy Mortimer Junior's desire for revenge. He then remarks that he will likely die soon anyway: he...
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Act 5, Scene 4
Speaking aloud to himself, Mortimer Junior decides that only Edward's death will ensure his own safety. He fears reprisal from...
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Mortimer Junior calls Lightborne in, and the two discuss the plans for Edward's murder. Lightborne scoffs...
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Lightborne leaves, and Mortimer Junior takes stock of his position, which allows him to control both Prince Edward and...
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...free Edward II but insists that in doing so he was serving the true king. Mortimer Junior then orders Kent's execution over the pleas of Edward III, insisting that he does...
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Act 5, Scene 5
Just then, Lightborne enters and hands Mortimer Junior's letter to Gourney and Maltravers. Lightborne also shows them the token Mortimer gave him,...
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...Gourney quickly stabs Lighborne. The two men then leave, intending to take Edward's body to Mortimer Junior after throwing Lightborne's in the moat.
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Act 5, Scene 6
Maltravers informs Mortimer Junior that both Edward and Lightborne are dead. However, he also reveals that Gourney has...
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...in distress, explaining that Edward III knows about Edward II's death and suspects her and Mortimer Junior of ordering it. Mortimer is unconcerned, but Isabella explains that her son has already...
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Hailing Mortimer Junior as a “villain,” Edward III says he knows that Mortimer murdered Edward II and...
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Mortimer Junior challenges Edward III to provide evidence, at which point Edward III produces the letter...
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Isabella continues to plead with Edward III, begging him to spare Mortimer Junior's life. Edward, however, takes his mother’s pleading as evidence of her own guilt, although...
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Isabella is escorted to prison as a lord returns with Mortimer Junior's head. Edward III then asks his attendants to prepare Edward II's hearse, and as...
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