*People will always tell you that Shakespeare is good, and your natural reaction should properly be, "oh come on, Shakespeare can't be all that good," but despite everything the critics need to say about him, Shakespeare is actually good.
*With that critically said, though, Shakespeare is good because he's good in such unexpected ways. Like, this very tender and intimate guarantee of a deliberate political murder. The assassin here, he is almost as dependably and inexplicably good as Shakespeare – the Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert.
HUBERT
So well, that what you bid me undertake,
Though that my death were adjunct to my act,
By heaven, I would do it.
KING JOHN
Do not I know thou wouldst?
Good Hubert, Hubert, Hubert, throw thine eye
On yon young boy: I'll tell thee what, my friend,
He is a very serpent in my way;
And whereso'er this foot of mine doth tread,
He lies before me: dost thou understand me?
Thou art his keeper.
HUBERT
And I'll keep him so,
That he shall not offend your majesty.
KING JOHN
Death.
HUBERT
My lord?
KING JOHN
A grave.
HUBERT
He shall not live.
KING JOHN
Enough.
I could be merry now. Hubert, I love thee;
Well, I'll not say what I intend for thee:
Remember. Madam, fare you well:
I'll send those powers o'er to your majesty.
ELINOR
My blessing go with thee!
KING JOHN
For England, cousin, go:
Hubert shall be your man, attend on you
With all true duty. On toward Calais, ho!
Exeunt
