Ware 1
Jessica Ware
Professor Amy Mathur
EN 120 Forms of Literature
2 October 2016
Plot Setup of Edward II
Every renaissance play has a setup that it has to follow. A strategic outline that is easy to
follow and allows the story to move on. It begins with the exposition, the beginning. This is
where all the major characters are introduced and the setting is set up. After that is
complications, otherwise known as the rising action. This is where the tension starts to build. In
most renaissance plays, you have a big problem, and there are many triggers to that problem.
The complications process is the longest process. What follows that is the climax. The climax is
the moment of the highest tension. How the climax goes determines whether the play is a
comedy or tragedy. What immediately comes after the climax is the resolution. This is when
everything comes together. Edward II, written by Christopher Marlowe, follows this renaissance
plot setup.
In Edward II, the exposition begins at Act 1 scene 1 and does not really end until Act 2
scene 1. It seems that the exposition and complications seem to overlap a bit because by the time
that Act 1 scene 1 ends, we are already facing elevated tension and we can already point out the
big problem of the play. The reason that the exposition does not end at Act 1 scene 1 is
because we have not been introduced to all the major characters. We do meet most of King
Edwards noblemen in the first scene, but we do not meet Queen Isabella until Act 1 scene 2. We
do not meet most of King Edwards followers and flatterers until Act 2 scene 1. Those
supporters play an important role in trying to keep Edward II alive and on the throne.
Ware 2
Officially, the complication process begins at Act 2 scene 2. We have already saw the
problems of the royal court and the various triggers of the big problem. Act 2 scene 2 is the
final straw for the noblemen, where they decide that they must do everything they can to
eliminate Gaveston. Lancaster states, Cousin, it is no dealing with him now, He means to make
us stoop by force of arms; And therefore let us jointly here protest, To persecute that Gaveston to
the death. (Act 2. 2. 102-105). This ultimately is just more gasoline to the fire, but it points out
the part where the tension significantly builds. More triggers would be King Edward refusing to
ransom Mortimer Senior, Kent joining forces with the noblemen, and Gaveston being captures.
The climax doesnt begin until Act 5 scene 4. Before this scene, the tension is pretty
high. Kent switched back to the Kings side, Prince Edward doesnt want the throne, and King
Edward has fallen into the hands of the rebellious noblemen. All of this though is just more
triggers. At the very beginning of Act 5 scene 4, we hear Young Mortimer deliver a soliloquy
about maintaining his high status and then reveals to the audience that King Edward must die
The king must die, or Mortimer goes down. (Act 5. 4. 1). We get a glimpse into Young
Mortimers plan on how he will kill the king without getting blood on his hands. We watch as
Kent gets led off to his execution for betraying the noblemen. In Act 5 scene 5, we see King
Edward be murdered by Lightborne with a hot poker. This moment held the highest tension in
the play. If Gurney had killed Lightborne before he got to the king, or Edward II was able to
overcome his attacker, the play would have ended differently.
The resolution starts up in Act 5 scene 6, the final scene. Young Mortimer regrets killing
the king, and Gurney has fled to tell all about Mortimers evil plot. Former Prince Edward, now
King Edward III, is stepping up as king, and orders the execution of Young Mortimer.
Ware 3
Everything is coming together, and the natural order of the court is slowly falling back into
place.
This play, like most written during the Renaissance period, followed Aristotles six
elements of drama. It has character, language, plot, ideas, music, but something that is
questioned is that if it had the final element: spectacle. Spectacle is the use of set to make the
audience react. That would include special effects, dancing, staging, etc. I would say that
Edward II does include spectacle. It includes staging such as in Act 2 scene 2 where Lancaster
draws his sword and wounds Gaveston or in Act 5 scene 5 where King Edward II is killed with a
hot poker. Special effects might include blood pouring out of a wounds in Act 2 scene 2 or in
Act 5 scene 5. With these added effects and staging, Edwards II completes Aristotles six
elements of drama.
