24 pages • 48 minutes read
Christopher MarloweEdward II
Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1593A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Character Analysis
Edward II
Edward II is the king of England for the majority of the play. He is well intentioned, but is highly susceptible to flattery and fawning by subordinates. Under his rule, the daily business of government is largely ignored while he pursues his own pleasures and spends his time with the former exile Gaveston. Although he neglects his wife, Queen Isabella, it is his relationship with Gaveston (and the rumors that it is more than a friendship, perhaps also sexual in nature), that causes the most distress among the lords in his court. Even though Edward claims to long for a contemplative, quiet life of peace, his frivolous actions are at odds with his words.
Piers Gaveston
Gaveston is a friend to Edward II, but a destructive one. Even though he appears to genuinely care for Edward, he also sees him as a means to improve his own station and enrich himself, and as an avenue to indulge in pleasures that would otherwise be denied him if he were a commoner. He is defiant and belligerent with the other English lords, which proves to be his downfall. His trust that Edward will be able to protect him from adversity is misplaced and short-lived.
Queen Isabella
Despite being neglected by her husband, Isabella attempts to remain loyal. Edward II’s devotion to Gaveston rankles, however, and she loses hope in the king, and then loses patience. So badly does she want his attention that she even asks Mortimer to end Gaveston’s exile, despite knowing the relationship between Gaveston and her husband, simply because it would make him happy. Once she becomes Mortimer’s accomplice in the plot to depose Edward, it is harder to view her as a sympathetic character. Although she laments the violent course of action that results, it is a course she has chosen.
Kent
Kent is the king’s brother. When the play begins, he holds a place of prestige in the royal entourage. However, as his brother begins to pay more attention to Gaveston and the Spencers, Kent begins to share the lords’ disillusionment. He even defects to the rebel cause for a time. However, after a change of heart, he attempts to help the king escape from prison. His good intentions do not save him. Once Mortimer is in power, he has Kent executed for having tried to help the former king.
Mortimer
After his father (Mortimer Senior) is caught by the Scots, Mortimer becomes the play’s primary antagonist. It is assumed from the outset that he is having an affair with the queen. Edward accuses her of lusting after Mortimer several times, implying that their relationship has had obvious improprieties to it. Mortimer gradually assumes more power until he is able to have the king killed and to rule as regent. However, when Edward III learns that Mortimer has had his father murdered, he quickly has him executed. Mortimer is presented as almost entirely without redeeming qualities. He is the closest thing the play has to a pure villain.
Prince Edward/Edward III
Isabella and Edward II’s son finds himself in the unenviable position of being a pawn in the lords’ political games. When his father is captured, the prince faces the prospect of ruling at a young age with trepidation. He wants for his father to remain in power so that he can continue to learn, ruling only when he is ready. When Edward II is killed, the prince becomes Edward III. Mortimer assumes that he will be able to manipulate him from behind the throne, but the new king shows more conviction that Mortimer had expected, immediately ordering Mortimer’s death. Edward III views his father as a tragic, flawed figure, and is unsure of how best to rule in the aftermath of his reign.
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By Christopher Marlowe
