SOURCE: “Richard's Divided Heritage in King John,” in Essays in Criticism, Vol. XII, No. 3, July, 1962, pp. 231-53.

In the following essay, Matchett maintains that the plot of King John focuses on the issue of the “right” to the throne, and studies the claims to the throne of Arthur, John, and the Bastard. The critic asserts that in King John the mark of a true king is decided not by power or prestige, but on the basis of what is best for England.

In ‘Commodity and Honour in King John’ (University of Toronto Quarterly, April, 1960, 341-56) Mr. James Calderwood demonstrates the essential role of those themes in Shakespeare's play. I should like to confirm, strengthen and extend his perceptive analysis through a discussion of structure. In brief, my argument is as follows: The plot of King John is built around the question of who should be King of England...