In these memorable lines from Mike Bartlett’s play King Charles III, the lead character explains his decision to oppose a law the parliament has passed. He knows his actions will throw the modern British system of government into chaos. People will revolt, and tanks will roll into London. And yet, he feels compelled to make this decision because he must perform his duty as king or risk becoming “dust.” What’s at stake is his responsibility to his royal lineage, which goes back 1,140 years. These lines, written in iambic pentameter, recall Shakespearean dramas in their intensity and power.
Bartlett, Mike. King Charles III: A Future History Play. Theatre Communications Group, 2015, p.52.