2-982-513 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Scene from "King John", at the Princess' Theatre, 1858. London stage production. 'We this week present an Illustration of the great scene in the tragedy of "King John" between the Monarch and his attendant Hubert, when the latter is induced by the wily Monarch to consent to the murder of the young Prince Arthur. It does not seem generally known that the Shakspearean drama is far from being entirely original, but, in regard to its scenic arrangement, characters, and incidents, and for no inconsiderable portion of its dialogue, is indebted to an older play, entitled "The Troublesome Raigne of King John of England," &c., printed in 1591, and consisting of two parts...The acting of Mr. [Charles] Kean is up to the Shakspearean mark, and carefully develops the different phases of feeling with which the tyrant suggests his detestable design to his obsequious minister, who, however reluctant to perform the infamous mission, apparently acquiesces. Hubert, in fact, misunderstands the purport of the King's speech, solemn and awful as it is in its tones, its imagery, and its suspicious pauses and turnings, and evidently supposes that it regards the safe custody, not the death, of the poor unfortunate Prince'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.