“King John” is among the most interesting plays by Shakespeare. In the book, the struggle for inheritance and power controls the plot. After the death of King Richard, the Lionheart, Arthur, and John enter a conflict on who rightfully deserves to inherit the throne. At the same time, the Bastard, who at the beginning of the play is called Philip, engages in a squabble with his younger brother regarding the possession of the estate left behind by their deceased father, Robert I. However, rumors emerged that Philip was an illegitimate son, and thus, deserved no share of the properties left behind (Yerli, 2018). It is the conflict with his brother that introduces Philip the Bastard on stage. Although the Bastard began as an unlikable character, he evolved gradually. By the end of the play, the Bastard had developed an honorable behavior that placed him at virtually a higher level than John. Despite numerous characters holding significant positions as nobilities and aristocrats, the Bastard ranked highly based on leadership traits. The Bastard portrayed the best leadership skills such as loyalty, courage, influential person, and imaginative communication, which earned him reverence from different quarters.
The most enchanting quality the Bastard possesses as an effective leader is loyalty. Leaders are loyal to the cause, subjects, and country. The Bastard demonstrated such quality at the beginning of the play shortly after he was introduced on stage. After the King listened to his woes concerning the inheritance, the Bastard quickly relinquished his yearning for the share and accepted to serve King John following a little convincing. In Act 1 Scene 1, King John knights the Bastard, saying, “From henceforth bear his name whose form thou bearest. Kneel thou down Philip, but rise more great” (165-175). The Bastard made a hard decision of deciding between serving the nation and fighting for his inheritance. However, due to the quick decision from a trivial persuasion, it is evident that the Bastard viewed working for the country as more crucial than personal gains. One requires unmatched patriotism to make such a choice. In addition, towards the end of the play, the Bastard quickly decides to serve the new King, Henry, after the death of John. The Bastard was exceptionally loyal and an ardent nationalist.
While the Bastard was just a knight and later the commander of the forces, he was pretty influential. The Bastard had impressive problem-solving and decision-making skills that made significant impacts on important national issues. When France and England decided to invade Angiers to compel their submission, the trick to easily win over the small territory was hatched by the Bastard. After the citizens of Angiers failed to decide which side to admit, the Bastard convinced the Kings to collude. He said in Act 2 Scene 1, “By heaven, these scroyles of Angiers flout you, kings… Be friends awhile, and both conjointly bend” (390-400). The Bastard persuasively influenced the two kings to form an alliance that would defeat the citizens of Angiers. In his submission, the Bastard requested the leaders only to be friends for a short term, and after achieving their objective, the Bastard argued that the two sides could revive their antagonism. True to the Bastard’s words, once the collaboration was made, victory was easily achieved. The Bastard’s influence and solving problem skills depict his abilities as a perfect leader.
Additionally, the Bastard demonstrates powerful leadership qualities through his highly innovative method of communication. Influencing others requires an individual to have top-notch conversational abilities. To get the attention, the reasoning and approach to different issues and topics should be exceptional, which was the case with the Bastard. In Act 1 Scene 1, the Bastard engages in a lengthy conversation where he demonstrates his magnificent understanding of how people climb the social ladder. The Bastard insists that one way to achieve high social status is being sneaky and deceitful, which he emphasizes to be anticipating to do (185-220). Creative and imaginative thinking is an attractive feature for likable and influential individuals. The Bastard indicates his abilities to conceptualize, articulate, and explain complex issues to the level any ordinary person can understand and get convinced. In addition, the Bastard talks about the significance of self-interests in everyday affairs in Act 2, scene 1, using the term “commodity” to refer to personal interests and how it shapes the world (595- 625). Such a level of understanding shows his mental ability to analyze and describe essential issues, which perfectly reflects a leader.
Lastly, the Bastard has the best qualities of an influential leader based on his courage and battlefield prowess. Great leaders are known to be always at the forefront during conflicts, especially when the country is faced with an external threat. Although at the begging the Bastard had little respect or consideration, his bravery during the invasion of the Angiers earned him recognition from King John. In Act 5 Scene 2, the Bastard demonstrated his courage by threatening Loius the Dauphin with the death of the French armies if they insist on war. The Bastard responds to Louis’s request for drum beats, saying, “Indeed, your drums being beaten will cry out, And so shall you, being beaten” (170-175). Even though the Bastard understood the fierceness of their opponents at war, his confidence enabled him to threaten the prince. In the concluding scene, the Bastard swore to revenge on King John’s death. The Bastard resolves “To do the office for thee of revenge” in Act 5 scene 7 (75-76), indicating his determination. As a result, his tenacity earned him respect among the nobilities and even the King.
In short, the Bastard in Shakespeare’s “King John” play possesses impressive leadership traits. Despite being an illegitimate son of King Richard, the Bastards rise against the odds to become a knight and commander of the English forces. However, the Bastard rightfully earned his position after playing a significant role in initiating the French and English alliance. He gave a practical suggestion when almost everyone was out of ideas on how to deal with the citizens of Angiers. Thus, the Bastard’s thoughts influence a desirable outcome, which indicated his ability to impact decisions and change. Additionally, the Bastard was loyal to the throne and England. When he was faced with the hard decision to choose between serving the country and fighting for possession, the Bastard chose the former out of patriotism. The Bastard also demonstrated courage by leading the soldiers against the French. Lastly, his leadership qualities were apparent through creativity, analytical mind, and exceptional ability to explain complex subjects to others. The Bastard easily amazed those listening to him due to his imagination and wealth of knowledge on different issues.
References
Shakespeare, W. (2000). The life and death of King John (Vol. 12). Penguin.
Yerli, K. (2018). Understanding Shakespeare’s King John and Magna Carta in the Light of New Historicism 1. Bilgi Dergi, 20(1), 241-259. Web.