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Overview
King John is a history play by William Shakespeare, likely written in the mid-1590s and first published in 1623
. It dramatizes the reign of King John of England, focusing on his conflicts with France and his own nobles, as well as the political machinations surrounding his nephew, Arthur. The play is believed to have been written during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, and it is often interpreted as a commentary on the debate about questions of her royal legitimacy and her competing claim to the throne against Mary, Queen of Scots.Read the full play summary, the full play analysis, and a complete list of character descriptions from King John.
