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Mortimer Junior
Isabella is a daughter of the King of France, Edward II's wife, and mother to his son, Prince Edward. She is also one of the play's most ambiguous characters. The historical Isabella was a French princess who became infamous in England for the role she played in Edward's overthrow and (possibly) murder. In Marlowe's version of events, however, Isabella is quite sympathetic, at least initially. She first appears as a loving wife who is genuinely grieved and confused by her husband's preference for Gaveston—not least because Edward, under Gaveston's influence, treats her viciously at times. He repeatedly accuses her, for example, of having an affair with Mortimer Junior long before there is any evidence that she is doing so. Nevertheless, Isabella's willingness to conspire in Gaveston's recall and murder suggests she harbors an underlying ruthlessness. When her husband simply shifts his affections from Gaveston to Spencer Junior, Isabella decisively turns against Edward, taking Mortimer as her lover and supporting his rebellion against her husband. By the time Isabella colludes in Edward's murder and lies about it to her son, she has revealed herself to be a deeply treacherous character. It is never clear, however, whether she was untrustworthy and vengeful all along, or whether frustration with her husband’s mistreatment of her is what drove her actions.
Isabella Quotes in Edward II
The Edward II quotes below are all either spoken by Isabella or refer to Isabella. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, Scene 4
Quotes
Edward: Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone.
Isabella: On whom but on my husband should I fawn?
Gaveston: On Mortimer, with whom, ungentle Queen—
I say no more; judge you the rest, my lord.
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Act 4, Scene 4
Quotes
Isabella:…A heavy case,
When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive
In civil broils make kin and countrymen
Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides
With their own weapons gored. But what's the help?
Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wrack;
And Edward, thou art one among them all,
Whose looseness hath betrayed thy land to spoil
And made the channels overflow with blood.
Of thine own people patron shouldst thou be,
But thou—
Mortimer Junior: Nay madam, if you be a warrior,
Ye must not grow so passionate in speeches.
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Act 4, Scene 5
Quotes
Successful battles gives the God of kings
To them that fight in right and fear his wrath.
Since then successfully we have prevailed,
Thanks be heaven's great architect and you…
Sith the fates
Have made [Edward II] so infortunate,
Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,
As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.
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Isabella Quotes in Edward II
The Edward II quotes below are all either spoken by Isabella or refer to Isabella. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 1, Scene 4
Quotes
Edward: Fawn not on me, French strumpet; get thee gone.
Isabella: On whom but on my husband should I fawn?
Gaveston: On Mortimer, with whom, ungentle Queen—
I say no more; judge you the rest, my lord.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4, Scene 4
Quotes
Isabella:…A heavy case,
When force to force is knit, and sword and glaive
In civil broils make kin and countrymen
Slaughter themselves in others, and their sides
With their own weapons gored. But what's the help?
Misgoverned kings are cause of all this wrack;
And Edward, thou art one among them all,
Whose looseness hath betrayed thy land to spoil
And made the channels overflow with blood.
Of thine own people patron shouldst thou be,
But thou—
Mortimer Junior: Nay madam, if you be a warrior,
Ye must not grow so passionate in speeches.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Act 4, Scene 5
Quotes
Successful battles gives the God of kings
To them that fight in right and fear his wrath.
Since then successfully we have prevailed,
Thanks be heaven's great architect and you…
Sith the fates
Have made [Edward II] so infortunate,
Deal you, my lords, in this, my loving lords,
As to your wisdoms fittest seems in all.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
