How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
KING JOHN
These flags of France that are advancèd here
Before the eye and prospect of your town,
Have hither marched for your endangerment.
[…]
But on the sight of us your lawful king,
[…]
Behold, the French, amazed, vouchsafe a parle.
And now, instead of bullets wrapped in fire
To make a shaking fever in your walls,
They shoot but calm words folded up in smoke
To make a faithless error in your ears,
Which trust accordingly, kind citizens,
And let us in. Your king, whose labored spirits
Forwearied in this action of swift speed,
Craves harborage within your city walls. (2.1.216-218; 231; 235-243)
King John's trying to convince the people of Angers to side with him against the French. He uses a few different arguments, one of which is that he, John, is the legal ruler ("your lawful king"). But he also argues that the French are untrustworthy: "You might be pleased by the fact they're sweet-talking you now," he seems to be saying, "but they'll betray you given half the chance. I won't, so stick with me." Do you think King John is correct in his description of the French?
Quote #2
QUEEN ELEANOR
Son, list to this conjunction; make this match.
Give with our niece a dowry large enough,
For by this knot thou shalt so surely tie
Thy now unsured assurance to the crown,
That yon green boy shall have no sun to ripe
The bloom that promiseth a mighty fruit.
I see a yielding in the looks of France.
Mark how they whisper. Urge them while their
souls
Are capable of this ambition,
Lest zeal, now melted by the windy breath
Of soft petitions, pity, and remorse,
Cool and congeal again to what it was. (2.1.489-501)
With these words, Eleanor encourages John to agree to Hubert's suggestion and marry his niece Blanche to Louis, the Dauphin of France. Eleanor knows that the match is a good deal for King Philip—and, in this play, when somebody sees a good deal coming their way, they are pretty likely to betray any pre-existing agreements that stand in their way. That said, Eleanor realizes that people don't like being traitors; it makes them look bad, and if Constance and Arthur remind them of this fact with "soft petitions," their "pity and remorse" will make them back away from the deal. So she encourages John to strike while the iron is hot. Do you agree with Eleanor's assessment of human nature?
Quote #3
KING JOHN
If that the Dauphin there, thy princely son,
Can in this book of beauty read 'I love,'
Her dowry shall weigh equal with a queen.
For Anjou and fair Touraine, Maine, Poictiers,
And all that we upon this side the sea—
Except this city now by us besieged—
Find liable to our crown and dignity,
Shall gild her bridal bed and make her rich
In titles, honors, and promotions,
As she in beauty, education, blood,
Holds hand with any princess in the world.
KING PHILIP
What sayst thou, boy? Look in the lady's face. (2.1.506-517)
In these lines, King John takes the advice of his mother Eleanor from the previous quotation, and presses his case with King Philip. Note that King Philip was demanding all of these provinces for Arthur; for Philip to give any thought to John's proposal is already a betrayal of his promise to Arthur. Could this be why he turns the question over to Louis—as a way of deflecting the blame for the betrayal? (Do you really think the king needs to get his son's approval for the match? Surely he can just force him to marry Blanche, if he wants to.)