Gaveston and Co.

I wasn't entirely sure what to make of Gaveston's character in Edward II. On one hand he stood for the ways in which royalty and politicians are easily led away from their duty to run a country and in that way he seemed like an evil. But I also was not sure whether Gaveston was a scoundrel plotter or whether he was just the king's simpleton playtoy/ lover/ lapdog. I felt sorry for the Queen in that Gaveston dominated her husband's love and attention, but I could not make up my mind as to whether the King was abusive for this or not. After all, she herself became fond of Mortimer so I wondered if they had reached some sad state of equality.
Either way, I felt sadness when both Gaveston and the King were executed. Actually, I suppose I just found the play extremely saddening. The impression it gave me of rulership and power filled me with despair for the whole lot of characters, even those plotting to kill the King. I do not know what I would have done to remedy the situtation, but it just seemed to me that everyone was in the wrong place and in the wrong state of mind. The fact that Edward III became the bold king at the very end was not very assuring to me either. I felt like whether or not he ruled the country well, he would probably find some sort of end like that of his father.
Despite the tone of the play, I liked Marlowe's style very much and I would be delighted to be able to see Edward II in performance. I agree that the words were effective, but that to witness such action would be much better. I wonder if anywhere nearby will ever put it on.