Edward II: Analysis of Setting
"Edward II: Analysis of Setting" explores the various locations significant to the life and reign of King Edward II of England. The primary setting, London, serves as the political heart of Edward's monarchy and includes key sites such as the royal palace, the Tower of London, and the new temple—each representing different aspects of power and governance during his rule. The opening scene unfolds on a street in London, leading to a dramatic conclusion at the royal palace, emphasizing the city's central role in the narrative. Paris is another crucial setting, representing the French monarchy where Edward's wife, Isabella, conspires with other figures to challenge her husband’s authority. Additionally, Neath Abbey in Wales marks a pivotal moment in Edward's life, as it is where he is captured after an escape attempt. Finally, Berkeley Castle is noted as the site of Edward's imprisonment and eventual death, symbolizing the tragic end of his reign. The interplay of these locations provides a rich backdrop to the themes of political power, betrayal, and tragedy inherent in Edward II's story.
Edward II: Analysis of Setting
First published: 1594
First produced:The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, c. 1592
Type of work: Drama
Type of plot: Historical
Time of work: Fourteenth century
Asterisk denotes entries on real places.
Places Discussed
*London
*London. Center of English political power and of King Edward’s monarchy. Several locations within London are settings for important scenes, including the royal palace, the new temple (a center of legal authority), and the Tower of London, the traditional place of detention for important political prisoners. The first scene of the play is set on a London street and the last at the royal palace.
*Paris
*Paris. Capital of the French monarchy and home of Edward II’s queen Isabella, sister of the French king. It is in Paris that Isabella meets Kent and the younger Mortimer, with whom she plans to invade England and make war against her husband.
*Neath Abbey
*Neath Abbey. Church in Glamorganshire, Wales, where King Edward is arrested by his enemies after failing to escape to Ireland. Edward II was born in Carnarvon Castle in Wales and was England’s first Prince of Wales.
*Berkeley Castle
*Berkeley Castle (BAHRK-lee). Castle in Gloucestershire that is the place of Edward’s final incarceration and murder.
Bibliography
Levin, Harry. The Overachiever: A Study of Christopher Marlowe. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1952. Discusses how in Marlowe’s plays men’s passions ultimately betray them. Asserts that whereas Shakespeare deals with the well-being of the state, Marlowe focuses upon individual tragedies.
Marlowe, Christopher. Edward the Second. Edited by Charles R. Forker. Manchester, England: Manchester University Press, 1994. Contains an excellent 136-page introduction. Considers the relationship between Edward II and Shakespeare’s histories.
Ribner, Irving. The English History Play in the Age of Shakespeare. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1957. Describes Edward II as the first fully developed Elizabethan history play and tragedy of character. Discusses the personalities of Edward and Mortimer and the theoretical underpinning of political issues.
Sales, Roger. Christopher Marlowe. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1991. Considers the Elizabethan mentality as revealed in Marlowe’s life. In the analysis of Edward II, the emphasis is on Mortimer and the difficulties posed by deposing and executing a monarch.
Weil, Judith. Christopher Marlowe: Merlin’s Prophet. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1977. A study of Marlowe’s satiric and tragic irony, examining the playwright’s relationship to his public. Argues that Edward becomes sympathetic, one in whom reason is reborn between his defeat and his death.