# Scene VI explained — King John

> Chapter companion for King John by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

The Bastard and Hubert meet in the dark near Swinstead Abbey. Hubert reports that King John has been poisoned by a monk and is near death, though the lords have returned with Prince Henry and been pardoned. The Bastard reveals that half his army was lost in the Lincoln Washes, and they hurry to the king.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Hubert's loyalty drives him to warn the Bastard, while the monk's poisoning of the king exemplifies betrayal from within.

### Grief and Madness

The black, fearful news and the loss of half the army evoke a sense of impending grief and chaos.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Faulconbridge (the Bastard)

Meets Hubert in the night, learns of the king's poisoning, and reports the loss of his army in the Lincoln Washes.

### Hubert de Burgh

Seeks out the Bastard to deliver news of King John's poisoning and the lords' return with Prince Henry.

### King John

Reported to have been poisoned by a monk; left almost speechless but still alive.

### Prince Henry

Brought by the lords to the king, at whose request the king has pardoned them.

## Key lines

> The king, I fear, is poison'd by a monk: I left him almost speechless; and broke out To acquaint you with this evil, that you might The better arm you to the sudden time, Than if you had at leisure known of this.

Hubert tells the Bastard that the king has been poisoned by a monk and is barely able to speak; he rushed to warn him so he could prepare for the crisis immediately.

_Hubert delivers the urgent news of John's poisoning._

> I'll tell tree, Hubert, half my power this night, Passing these flats, are taken by the tide; These Lincoln Washes have devoured them; Myself, well mounted, hardly have escaped.

The Bastard reveals that half his army was swept away by the tide while crossing the Lincoln Washes, and he barely escaped on horseback.

_The Bastard reports the catastrophic loss of his forces._

## Links

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