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King John
William Shakespeare
A history play depicting the reign of King John as he struggles to hold the throne against a rival claimant and faces conflict with the Catholic Church. It explores themes of legitimacy, political pragmatism, and the personal cost of power through the character of the Bastard.
King John, Philip the Bastard, Constance, Cardinal Pandulph
First Performance: 1596, at Globe Theatre, London
Regarded as a dense and cynical look at medieval politics, often overshadowed by Shakespeare's other histories.
Original Actors: Unknown
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