Act I, scene I

The first scene opens with Gaveston reading a letter from Edward II, newly crowned sovereign of England after the death of Edward I. Gaveston had been banished from court because of his corrupting influence on the young prince Edward. Now, with the elder Edward out of the way, Edward II is inviting Gaveston to return and share the kingdom with him. In a few quick lines, Gaveston's soliloquy makes clear the homosexual nature of their relationship ("take me in thy arms") as well as the theme of power that runs throughout the play. Gaveston muses about surrounding himself and the king with all manner of pleasure-seekers: "Wanton poets, pleasant wits," and "men like satyrs" who for sport might hunt down a "lovely boy" as they would a deer. When the king and his entourage enter, Gaveston steps aside to overhear their conversation.

What he...