The relationship between Edward II and Gaveston, as well as the major conflicts that are present in the play, were not only fictional but also historical, as they are based on accounts of Raphael Holinshed in Chronicles (Stewart, 2006). The nature of the relationship between the king and Gaveston, alongside the power that Gaveston had over Edward, would be a reason for great displeasure to the court and lead the churchmen to plot against Edward II. Thanks to Edward II, after Gaveston came back from the exile, he became Earl of Cornwall and would be treated as one of the new king’s favorites. One of the first things he does as the new ruler is to bring back Piers Gaveston, a man who was exiled by Edward I, the main character’s father and previous king of England. Based on the true story of the king of the same name, who governed England in the 13th century, the play presents a man who becomes the king after the passing of his father.
Key Words: Edward II, sodomy, homosexuality, relationship, masculine friendship, innocence and irony.Įdward II is a play written in the Renaissance period by Christopher Marlowe, telling the story of the King Edward II who faced a great opposition to his government because of his supposed lack of ability to rule the country. We verify that both affectious and sexual aspects of Edward and Gaveston’s relationship are used to ironize and criticize some of the ideals of the 16th century. We investigate excerpts from the play taking into account both the theoretical texts and the historical context in which the play was written.
In this paper we analyze the textual references to homosexual relationships and its implications in the play, revisiting the concepts of male friendship and sodomy according to BRAY (1990). The story is inspired in historical narratives about Edward II who ruled England in the 14th Century.
Edward II is a play written in the Renaissance period by Christopher Malowe.
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