Understanding Shakespeare’s King John and Magna Carta in the Light of New Historicism

Being one of the history plays of William Shakespeare, The Life and Death of King John tells the life and important political matters of King John (1166-1216). In this play, Shakespeare basically relates the political issues of King John to Queen Elizabeth I. Political matters such as the threat of invasion by a foreign country, divine right of the kings, papal excommunication and legitimacy discussions constitute the main themes of the play. However, Shakespeare does not mention a word of Magna Carta throughout the play. In this regard, it is critical to figure out and explain the reason why Shakespeare did not mention Magna Carta in his The Life and Death of King John, owing to the importance of Magna Carta in the history of England. In this respect, the analysis of The Life and Death of King John in the light of new historicism helps us to understand both how Shakespeare related the periods of Queen Elizabeth and King John; and the reason why Shakespeare did not mention Magna Carta in his play