There is a point, to which when men aspire,

Mortimer: Base Fortune, now I see, that in thy wheel Yes he's gay but he's still the King, dammit! That flies about as well as you might imagine in medieval Europe. Marlowe (who was probably gay himself) writes Edward as a fairly sympathetic character, and the scene in the play is absolutely horrifying.

Although the real Edward II probably didn't actually die this way, the legend no doubt arose because it was seen as a Karmic Death, given Edward's homosexuality. His (fictional) assassin, Lightborn, has a speech describing his expertise in Cruel and Unusual Death.

Cruel and Unusual Death: Edward II is impaled (onstage) through the anus with a red-hot poker, as the real Edward was said to have been.

Composite Character: John Maltravers (Matrevis) and the Earl of Arundel (historically, Edmund Fitzalan) - by the time Marlowe was writing, the Arundel and Maltravers titles were held by the same person.

Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Happens all the time even the supposed good characters stab each other in the back by the end.

Also, although both know Latin, it is Matrevais who understands the message's meaning. Matrevis likes abstract thinking and long-winded sentences, whereas Gurney's sentences are short and to the point and he's the one who takes actual action.

Brains and Brawn: Matrevis and Gurney.Book Ends: Begins shortly after the death of Edward I and ends with Edward III coming into his own.Ass Shove: Edward II meets his end when a branding iron.It was adapted by Derek Jarman into a 1991 postmodern film version that renders the already overt gay subtext of the play to the surface. This play would later be adapted by Bertolt Brecht for a modern stage production in 20s Berlin. The King dithers over sending Piers away, leading to a noble revolt as Civil War breaks out in the country. His wife, Isabella, Princess of France, also supports this rebellion, out of hatred for Piers and fondness for Mortimer. The plot concerns the titular King Edward II of The House of Plantagenet being forced by nobles, led by Mortimer, to send his 'favorite' Piers Gaveston away from court. The Troublesome Reign and Lamentable Death of Edward the Second, King of England, with the Tragical Fall of Proud Mortimer is a history play in Five Acts, by Christopher Marlowe. As Marlowe's plays are Older Than Steam and this one is based on historical events, all spoilers on this page are unmarked.

Edward II by Christopher Marlowe