King John · Character

Arthur, Duke of Bretagne

A child whose royal blood makes him a throne's rival, wept over by queens and bargained over by kings.

major

Also known as Young Arthur, Arthur Hubert, Arthur O, Arthur Alas, Arthur God, Arthur Good morrow, Arthur Plantagenet, Arthur of Bretagne

First appearance: act i scene i

See Arthur, Duke of Bretagne in act i scene i Book page

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France champions Arthur's claim to England against his uncle John, and his mother Constance wages his cause with a ferocity that sometimes overwhelms the boy himself. Caught between Elinor's cool offers of plums and Constance's furious grief, he wishes aloud he were 'low laid in my grave' rather than the object of such strife. His youth and legal right are the moral fault line of the early play, and the question of what John will do with him hangs over every scene.

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See Arthur, Duke of Bretagne in act i scene i

Character Web

3 connections

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Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Claimants and conspirators
John's opposition and allies
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents King John at his lowest emotional and psychological poin…

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In the story

Arthur, Duke of Bretagne appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Scene I
Present with the French forces as the claimant to the English throne, welcomed by Austria and Lewis.
Scene I
Present with his mother, Constance, and urged by her to be content despite the political turmoil.
Scene II
Present with King John and Hubert, placed under Hubert's custody.
Scene III
Is comforted by King John but expresses grief that his mother will die of sorrow.
Scene I
Arthur pleads for his eyes with innocence and affection, successfully moving Hubert to mercy.
Scene III
Leaps from the wall in disguise and dies, his body discovered by the lords.

Chapter companion notes

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See Arthur, Duke of Bretagne in act i scene i