Edward II - Activity 2: Literary techniques and their effects

Introduction:in this task you will identify the literary techniques used by Marlowe in the play, and interpret their effects.

Student guidance:

Do this task in pairs or groups.

First, find a quotation in which a literary technique is used. For instance, antithesis is used by Marlowe when he has Mortimer Senior say ‘If you love us, my lord, hate Gaveston’ (1:79). Next, interpret the dramatic effect of the technique. For example, the antithesis helps to show the implacability of the nobles, and the immoveable nature of the deadlock between them and Edward.

Try to group the quotations under separate headings, according to what it is that the technique helps to express in the play. Perhaps it conveys an emotion: the nobles’ anger or Edward’s and Gaveston’s love. Or perhaps it’s a theme: the deadlock between Edward and the nobles for instance. If you think it expresses something else, fill in other emotions/themes in the table below. Some boxes have been filled in to get you started.

Version 11© OCR 2016

Christopher Marlowe: Edward II

Emotion or theme… / Quotation / Literary technique / Interpretation of the technique’s dramatic effect
The nobles’ anger / ‘He nods, and scorns, and smiles at those that pass’ (Warwick. 2:24) / Polysyndeton / The conjunctions slow Warwick’s line so that we can hear his exasperation and disgust.
‘We may not, nor we will not suffer this.’ (Mortimer Senior. 2:15) / Syntactic parallelism; repetition; emotive verb ‘suffer’ / Helps convey the nobles’ resolve that Gaveston will not be tolerated.
The emotive verb connotes their distress
‘either change your mind/Or look to see the throne where you should sit/To float in blood’ (Lancaster. 1:129) / Imagery / Violent imagery creates a menacing tone. The connection between Gaveston and civil unrest is made clear.
Edward and Gaveston’s love / ‘Throw off his golden mitre, rend his stole,/And in the channel christen him anew’ (Edward. 1: 186) / Rule of three / Helps convey Edward’s disdain for and fury at the church for exiling Gaveston.
Helps to emphasize how they work as a team too, with Edward supporting Gaveston.
Pity for the Queen / ‘I will endure a melancholy life,/And let him frolic with his minion’ (Isabella 2:66) / Internal rhyme ‘melancholy…frolic’ / The rhyme picks up the contrast between the Queen and King’s lives and generates sympathy for Isabella.
The deadlock between Edward and the nobles / ‘either die or live with Gaveston’ (Edward 1:137) / Antithesis / One of many antithesis used in the play. Other EGs: ‘Save or condemn’ (Edward to Gaveston. 1:168); ‘All stomach him, but none dare speak a word (Lancaster. 26) Collectively, they help build the impression of a deadlock at the heart of the first half of the play.
The divine right of monarchs

Version 11© OCR 2016

Christopher Marlowe: Edward II