The Life and Death of King John

Abstract

There is general agreement that King John whatever the problems of its date and its connection with The Troublesome Reign of John (a poor play published anonymously in 1591 which is similar in incidents and characters to King John) succeeds Richard III and precedes Richard II in the line of Shakespeare’s histories. The play’s action is about the search for legitimacy and truth, and with them for the hope of security and confidence of life. The play could be called The Case of the Missing King.