Genre
A play
Language
English
Setting and Context
16th-century England
Narrator and Point of View
The narrator appears only in the prologue, since this work is a drama.
Tone and Mood
The events in the play differ a lot. From one side the play is rather dark and gothic, because of the accusation of the Duke of Buckingham and the divorce of Henry and Catherine. These events make the play very intense, serious and deep. From the other side there’s something bright and optimistic about the play. The story ends happily with the Сranmer’s prophecy about Elisabeth’s promising future. At the same time, the tone of the play is very formal, because the lives of aristocrats are described.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The major protagonist is Henry VIII; the major antagonist is Cardinal Wolsey.
Major Conflict
The major conflict unfolds between Cardinal Wolsey and all his opponents. First of all, between him and the queen Katharine, because she considers him to be her biggest foe for ruining her life. Also between him and Duke of Buckingham, who is innocent of wrongdoing, but who has been arrested with the help of Cardinal. The other lords are also against Wolsey, they can clearly see his vices.
Climax
The climax of the play occurs when Henry reveals the truth about Cardinal Wolsey while reading his letter to the Pope. The king decides to take the power away from his closest adviser and to depart him.
Foreshadowing
The play is full of foreshadowing - the fall of Cardinal, the divorce and the most important is the Cranmer’s prophecy towards Elisabeth.
Understatement
Little attention is paid to the death of Cardinal Wolsey in the play. Queen Katherine was reported about his death and some details, but the reader cannot «hear» his last words of repentance.
Allusions
Shakespeare uses allusions to the Bible, comparing the fall of Cardinal Wolsey to the fall of Lucifer.
Imagery
Images of Queen, King, and other characters are depicted in details, as it is a required component of a play.
Paradox
The play’s biggest paradox appears when the king aims to marry Anne Bullen, because he finally wants to have a son, who will be able to take over his reign. But Anne gives birth to a girl, who, according to the prophecy, is going to be stronger than any king.
Parallelism
N/A
Personification
The king Henry’s ring is personified in the play. This is the symbol of king’s power, which is enormous.
«By virtue of that ring, I take my cause
Out of the gripes of cruel men, and give it
To a most noble judge, the king my master.»(Cranmer)
If a person owns the ring , he has nothing to be afraid of , because it means that he is under the protection of the king anywhere he goes.
Use of Dramatic Devices
N/A
