SOURCE: Stubblefield, Charles. “Some Thoughts about King John.” CEA Critic 35, no. 3 (March 1973): 25-8.

In the following essay, Stubblefield presents contrasting appraisals of John and the Bastard based on their differing perceptions of the chaotic, deceitful, and insecure political world of Shakespeare's King John.

No two commentators read Shakespeare's King John alike, and in some instances there are directly opposed views as to what the meaning of the play is. What characterizes a large portion of the criticism that one reads on King John is its tendency to consider only one element of the play, such as characterization or imagery. Such criticism, while it is true enough in its limited way, cannot hope to derive a meaning which is valid for the total play. Most commentators seem reluctant to look at the play closely to determine just what its central issues are. One has the feeling that they have...