Soon after he inherits the throne, King Edward Ⅱ of England writes a
letter to his favorite nobleman, Piers Gaveston, who had previously been
exiled, asking him to come back to England. Eager to return and happy to
have the king's favor, Gaveston travels to the kingdom immediately.
However, when the other noblemen and advisors hear of Edward's decision,
they quickly try to talk him out of it. Believing that Gaveston is a
manipulative social climber, the noblemen warn Edward that he should
reconsider his pardon. However, Edward loves Gaveston deeply, and
refuses to revoke his pardon. He appoints Gaveston the power to issue
commands and draw money from the treasury, happy to be reunited with the
man. Meanwhile, the angered noblemen start to gather a group of
resistance. Concerned about the power Edward has given Gaveston, they
continue their attempts to disillusion him, convincing others close to
Edward to talk him into turning against the man. As some of Edward's
closest friends and family, take a side against him, the distrust the
nobles hold for Gaveston begins to bleed into contempt for the king.
With schemes of manipulation, invasion, and abdication plague the
kingdom, Edward must reconsider his love for Gaveston before it causes
his downfall.
First debuted in 1592, Edward the Second is among the legendary
playwright's final works. Considered to be Marlowe's masterpiece,
Edward the Second is praised for its unique topic, disciplined
rhetoric, and homoeotic undertones. Having been adapted for film and
radio, as well as inspiring theatre revivals, Edward the Second is one
of Marlowe's most popular and celebrated works. With exemplary writing
and a high-stakes plot, Edward the Second provides an intriguing
perspective on the rule of Edward Ⅱ that remains fascinating to modern
audience.
This edition of Edward the Second by Christopher Marlowe is now
presented in an easy-to-read font and features a striking new cover
decision, creating an accessible reading experience. With these
accommodations, Edward the Second is restored to modern standards
while the original genius and vivid imagery of Marlowe's poetry is
preserved.
