The abdication or Deposition scene is
considered the most admirable piece of Marlow’s dramatic art in his historical
tragedy of Edward II. The scene appears almost as a long soliloquy of the
fallen weak king. Yet in dramatic action and suspense, in dramatic poetry and
pathos, it has but a few peers in the dramatic literature of England.
The scene (Act V, Scene I) is set in the
castle of Kenilwarth where the king is kept imprisoned under the custody of the
Duke of Leicester.
The scene opens with the pleading of
Leicester with the king to have repose and security in mind. This is followed
by a long soliloquy of the king in which he dwells on his fallen
state and on the deep pathos of his royal fall. The king emerged by the secret
working of Mortimer and Isabella, expresses his determination to cling to his
crown. He will not yield his crown to make Mortimer the king of England.
The
Bishop of Winchester who has come from Mortimer and Isabella to take the crown,
along with the Duke of Leicester, entreats the King to yield his crown. But the
king, still feaming with his passion and rage, is most unwilling and holds the
crown dearly.