How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #1
DAUPHIN
Arthur, that great forerunner of thy blood,
Richard, that robbed the lion of his heart
And fought the holy wars in Palestine,
By this brave duke came early to his grave.
And, for amends to his posterity,
At our importance hither is he come
To spread his colors, boy, in thy behalf,
And to rebuke the usurpation
Of thy unnatural uncle, English John.
Embrace him, love him, give him welcome hither.
ARTHUR
God shall forgive you Coeur de Lion's death
The rather that you give his offspring life,
Shadowing their right under your wings of war.
I give you welcome with a powerless hand
But with a heart full of unstainèd love.
Welcome before the gates of Angiers, duke. (2.1.2-17)
In these lines, King Philip of France introduces Arthur to Austria. This isn't your ordinary introduction, however. In fact, King Philip tells Arthur that Austria is the one who killed Arthur's uncle, King Richard the Lionheart. But Arthur forgives Austria, all the same. Do you think Arthur is sincere in his forgiveness, or is he forced into it by his circumstances?
Quote #2
KING JOHN
We will heal up all,
For we'll create young Arthur Duke of Brittany
And Earl of Richmond, and this rich, fair town
We make him lord of.—Call the Lady Constance.
Some speedy messenger bid her repair
To our solemnity. I trust we
shall,
If not fill up the measure of her will,
Yet in some measure satisfy her so
That we shall stop her exclamation. (2.1.576-585)
In these lines, King John suggests that his compassionate treatment of Constance will get her to forgive him for taking the crown of England from her son Arthur. It won't work, unfortunately: she is dead-set against him.
Quote #3
KING PHILIP
And even before this truce, but new before,
No longer than we well could wash our hands
To clap this royal bargain up of peace,
Heaven knows, they were besmeared and overstained
With slaughter's pencil, where revenge did paint
The fearful difference of incensèd kings.
And shall these hands, so lately purged of blood,
So newly joined in love, so strong in both,
Unyoke this seizure and this kind regreet? (3.1.243-251)
In these lines, King Philip resists Cardinal Pandolf's call to break his alliance with King John by pointing out that they've only just become friends after a bloody battle. King Philip clearly guesses that Pandolf—who is a Catholic clergyman, after all—will appreciate the value of forgiveness. He guesses wrong.