Edward II
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Act 1, Scene 1 Act 1, Scene 2 Act 1, Scene 3 Act 1, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 1 Act 2, Scene 2 Act 2, Scene 3 Act 2, Scene 4 Act 2, Scene 5 Act 3, Scene 1 Act 3, Scene 2 Act 3, Scene 3 Act 3, Scene 4 Act 4, Scene 1 Act 4, Scene 2 Act 4, Scene 3 Act 4, Scene 4 Act 4, Scene 5 Act 4, Scene 6 Act 5, Scene 1 Act 5, Scene 2 Act 5, Scene 3 Act 5, Scene 4 Act 5, Scene 5 Act 5, Scene 6
Themes
All Themes Sex, Lineage, and the Natural Order Fear of the Other and Internal Discord Monarchy, Legitimacy, and Loyalty Language and Violence Fortune and Tragedy
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Edward II Piers Gaveston Mortimer Junior Isabella Edmund, Earl of Kent Prince Edward/Edward III Mortimer Senior The Earl of Lancaster Guy, Earl of Warwick Spencer Junior The Earl of Pembroke Bishop of Canterbury Bishop of Coventry Lord Maltravers/Earl of Arundel  Gourney  Lightborne Lady Margaret de Clare The Earl of Leicester The Mower
Symbols
All Symbols The Sun Trees and Vegetation
Literary Devices
All Literary Devices Allegory Allusions Dramatic Irony Foreshadowing Genre Hyperbole Irony Metaphors Mood Motifs Pathos Satire Setting Similes Situational Irony Soliloquy Style Tone
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Edward II

by

Christopher Marlowe
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Mortimer Senior Character Analysis

Mortimer Senior is the uncle of Mortimer Junior and a powerful member of the English nobility. Although he shares his nephew's frustration with Gaveston's influence, Mortimer Senior is somewhat more inclined to give Edward the benefit of the doubt; as he explains it, many powerful men have had "minions," and the king may become wiser as he grows older. Mortimer Senior therefore willingly complies with the king's order to lead an army against the Scots, but is captured and held for ransom in the ensuing battle. Edward's apparent disinterest in paying the ransom him after having sent him into battle in the first place exacerbates the nobility's discontent.

Mortimer Senior Quotes in Edward II

The Edward II quotes below are all either spoken by Mortimer Senior or refer to Mortimer Senior. 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:
Sex, Lineage, and the Natural Order Theme Icon
).
Act 1, Scene 1 Quotes

Come uncle, let us leave the brainsick King,
And henceforth parley with our naked swords.

Related Characters: Mortimer Junior (speaker), Edward II, Piers Gaveston, Mortimer Senior
Fear of the Other and Internal Discord Theme Icon
Language and Violence Theme Icon
Page Number: 1.1.124–125
Explanation and Analysis:
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.

Related Characters: Edward II (speaker), Edmund, Earl of Kent (speaker), Mortimer Senior (speaker), Guy, Earl of Warwick (speaker), Piers Gaveston, Mortimer Junior
Sex, Lineage, and the Natural Order Theme Icon
Language and Violence Theme Icon
Page Number: 1.4.20–23
Explanation and Analysis:
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Act 5, Scene 2 Quotes

As thou intendest to rise by Mortimer,
Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,
Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,
And neither give him kind word nor good look.

Related Characters: Mortimer Senior (speaker), Edward II, Gourney 
Fortune and Tragedy Theme Icon
Page Number: 5.2.51–54
Explanation and Analysis:
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Mortimer Senior Quotes in Edward II

The Edward II quotes below are all either spoken by Mortimer Senior or refer to Mortimer Senior. 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:
Sex, Lineage, and the Natural Order Theme Icon
).
Act 1, Scene 1 Quotes

Come uncle, let us leave the brainsick King,
And henceforth parley with our naked swords.

Related Characters: Mortimer Junior (speaker), Edward II, Piers Gaveston, Mortimer Senior
Fear of the Other and Internal Discord Theme Icon
Language and Violence Theme Icon
Page Number: 1.1.124–125
Explanation and Analysis:
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.

Related Characters: Edward II (speaker), Edmund, Earl of Kent (speaker), Mortimer Senior (speaker), Guy, Earl of Warwick (speaker), Piers Gaveston, Mortimer Junior
Sex, Lineage, and the Natural Order Theme Icon
Language and Violence Theme Icon
Page Number: 1.4.20–23
Explanation and Analysis:
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Act 5, Scene 2 Quotes

As thou intendest to rise by Mortimer,
Who now makes Fortune's wheel turn as he please,
Seek all the means thou canst to make him droop,
And neither give him kind word nor good look.

Related Characters: Mortimer Senior (speaker), Edward II, Gourney 
Fortune and Tragedy Theme Icon
Page Number: 5.2.51–54
Explanation and Analysis:
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