Class Distinction Again Seen, Now in Edward II

Edward: Ah, none but rude and savage-minded men
Would seek the ruin of my Gaveston.
You that be noble born should pity him
Warwick: You that are princely born should shake him off.
For shame, subscribe, and let the loon depart.


As seen in The Spanish Tragedy, difference in social class has fueled conflict in Marlowe's work. It is interesting that at least in Act I, we are given very little reason as to why the nobles despise Gaveston. They call him a traitor, but the audience is not pointed to a particular action that makes him treacherous. What we are given is their anger at being subordinated to Gaveston, a man who by birth is not nearly as noble as they are. This anger attests to the importance placed on birth and status in Kyd's time period and the earlier time frame of the play. To the nobles, it is not just ridiculous that the Edward fawns over Gaveston, adorning him with titles; the King is wronging them by passing them up, placing an individual of much lower status above them. Audiences of the play at the time would have a better knowledge of this story and the differences between Gaveston and the nobles, but an audience today must rely on class difference to explain the conflict, at least in Act I.