# Scene III explained — King John

> Chapter companion for King John by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

King John arranges for Queen Elinor to stay behind, reassures young Arthur, and dispatches the Bastard to England to plunder the Church's wealth. He then has a private conversation with Hubert, hinting at his desire for Arthur's death, to which Hubert agrees. The scene ends with preparations for departure.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Authority

King John exercises his royal authority by commanding the Bastard to seize Church wealth and ordering Hubert to eliminate Arthur.

### Deception and Appearance

John's affectionate words to Arthur and Hubert mask his true murderous intentions, highlighting the gap between appearance and reality.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Hubert's vow to obey John even unto death demonstrates loyalty, but it is loyalty to a king who seeks to betray his own kin.

## Character check-ins

### King John

Commands the Bastard to plunder the Church in England, and subtly orders Hubert to kill Arthur.

### Queen Elinor

Is instructed to stay behind with a strong guard, and gives her blessing to the Bastard.

### Arthur, Duke of Bretagne

Is comforted by King John but expresses grief that his mother will die of sorrow.

### Philip Faulconbridge (the Bastard)

Is sent to England to seize Church treasures and bids farewell to the Queen and King.

### Hubert de Burgh

Receives King John's trust and agrees to ensure Arthur does not live.

## Key lines

> Cousin, away for England! haste before: And, ere our coming, see thou shake the bags Of hoarding abbots; imprisoned angels Set at liberty: the fat ribs of peace Must by the hungry now be fed upon: Use our commission in his utmost force.

Go to England ahead of us and plunder the wealthy abbots, freeing their gold. The resources of peace must now be used to support our war effort. Use your authority to the fullest.

_King John orders the Bastard to confiscate Church wealth for military funding._

> He is a very serpent in my way; And whereso'er this foot of mine doth tread, He lies before me: dost thou understand me? Thou art his keeper.

Arthur is an obstacle in my path, always in my way. You are his guardian—do you understand what I'm implying?

_John hints to Hubert that Arthur must be removed as a threat to his throne._

> Death. Hubert my lord? A grave. He shall not live.

John says 'Death,' Hubert questions, John clarifies 'A grave,' and Hubert agrees that Arthur will not survive.

_The coded conversation confirms John's order for Arthur's murder._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/king_john_se/chapters