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Shakespeare’s Henry VIII

Shakespeare’s Henry VIII

Shakespeare admired Queen Elizabeth I. So he described her father Henry VIII as admirable king in his play, Henry VIII. On the other hand, he characterized Cardinal Thomas Wolsey as a villain. In the play, Wolsey interferes Henry’s divorce from Catherine and his scheme comes out. Then he disgraces from his place. However, historically, he exerted himself to realize Henry’s divorce, but his efforts didn’t bear fruit. Then Anne Boleyn charged him, and he lost his position. Shakespeare cleverly changed the course of events lest he disgraced Henry’s, Anne Boleyn’s, and then Elizabeth’s prestige. I read Shakespeare’s respect toward Queen Elizabeth into this play.

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