King John

The play delves into the tumultuous power struggle following Richard Coeur de Lion's death, as John, supported by his manipulative mother Queen Eleanor, faces a rival claim from his nephew Arthur. John's desperation escalates into war when he learns of French support for Arthur, further complicated by a papal ambassador's excommunication threat. Lacking his brother's valor and marked by treachery, John's journey through political intrigue and betrayal reveals the darker facets of ambition and authority in this underrated Shakespearean work.