Henry VIII In Plain and Simple English (Digital Download)
PURCHASE A COPY OF HENRY VIII IN PLAIN AND SIMPLE ENGLISH NOW! Do you need to understand Shakespeare and want something more interactive? Try our free app, SwipeSpeare! MODERN HENR Y VIII PLOT SUMMARY A play surrounding the theme of power and greed, Cardinal Wolsey becomes close to the king. The Duke of Buckingham, unhappy with this relationship, believes Wolsey to be disloyal. The Duke, however, gets arrested by a guard because Wolsey accuses him of treason. In order to strengthen and unite his power with the king, Wolsey feels he must get rid of the Duke. Henry’s wife Katharine (who was married to Henry’s brother before he passed away), defends the Duke. Katharine accuses Wolsey of abusing the tax system for his own selfish purposes. The Duke is then sentenced to be executed, and the Earl of Surrey, his son-in-law, is sent to Ireland so as not to pose a threat. Now that Wolsey no longer has to worry about the Duke, he sets out on his final mission: Get Queen Katharine out of the picture. Not only does he cause Henry to question his marriage to his wife Katharine by convincing him that his marriage is not legal, but he also has a plan for the King to marry the daughter of the King of France. Wolsey engaged in a truce with France, which is why he wanted to engineer this marriage.What does Wolsey do from there? He requests the Pope to authorize a royal divorce between Henry and Katharine on the basis that Katharine did not bear any male heirs for Henry. Expelled from the court, Katharine then withdraws to Kimbolton. Finally reaching the power he set out to get (he is even more wealthy than the king at this point), Wolsey is now burdened by greed (his biggest flaw). He desires even MORE control than he already has. Because of this desire and greed, Wolsey ends up digging himself his own hole. Wolsey fears that instead of seeking a royal alliance with France, the king and Anne Bullen will marry, a woman Wolsey introduced the king to at a party (and the king becomes quite infatuated with her). So Wolsey writes to the Pope requesting that the marriage be delayed.To add to the already dramatic play, the letter was accidentally delivered to Henry rather than the Pope. Henry is obviously outraged by Wolsey’s actions, and Wolsey is left with no choice but to vacate the court. Before facing trial, Wolsey is arrested in New York and dies on the way to London.Meanwhile, Henry marries Anne and makes Cranmer (the Archbishop of Canterbury) his new adviser. But, of course, the drama has not died with Wolsey. Gardiner (the Bishop of Winchester), sets out to ruin Cranmer by accusing him of heresy. Compassionate towards Cranmer’s circumstances, Henry gives him the royal signet ring. Cranmer is to present this ring in the event that his prosecutors do not accept his position in the argument, and find him guilty. The trial then happens, and Henry is listening from behind a curtain. Found guilty, Cranmer presents the ring and finds that the nobles are apologetic for their actions. Henry then enters from behind the curtain, denounces them for their mistake, then proceeds to bless them. Henry and Anne have a daughter named Elizabeth, and they name Cranmer as her godfather. Cranmer predicts that she will be strong and wise and that she will be one of England’s greatest rulers. MODERN HENRY VIII CHARACTER ANALYSIS King Henry VIII King of England Married to Katharine in the beginning, then to Anne Bullen Though King Henry’s name is the title of the play, King Henry is coincidentally not a main character throughout the play. He is a main character in the sense that all of the actions took place because of Henry’s existence, but he did not actually play a major role in the character or scene development throughout the play. We learn at the beginning of the play that the king is easily persuaded. We see this when Wolsey effortlessly turns him against the Duke of Buckingham. We then see Wolsey convince the king that his marriage to Katharine is not legal. It isn’t until the king accidentally receives the letter Wolsey wrote (which was meant to be sent to the Pope) that he realizes Wolsey’s impure intentions. Henry’s presence in the play becomes more prominent when rumors start spreading about Cranmer, causing him to have to go to trial. Henry gives Cranmer his ring with the intention to save him and listens to the trial from behind a curtain. The play ends with Henry becoming a new father to a baby girl, Elizabeth (who will later become Queen Elizabeth). Duke of Buckingham Enemy of Wolsey Accused of treason against the King and is executed Annoyed by Wolsey’s influence over the king, he quickly harbors resentment toward him. Wolsey has him arrested for treason. He is accused to have been plotting to gain the throne and is therefore executed. Queen Katharine Elegant, distinguished, and honest woman Wife of Henry VIII (married to his brother first) Divorced from Henry VIII Queen Katharine accuses Wolsey of plotting for her failure as he convinces the king to divorce her. Because of this, she would not accept the divorce. Shocked by the accusations made against her, she goes into detail of her 20-year marriage to the king and her loyalty during those 20 years. She is then punished for not providing the king with a male heir. She eventually forgives Wolsey and envisions her own death.Cardinal Wolsey Maneuvers his way to becoming the King’s most trusted adviser Expelled from Court and eventually loses King’s trust Dies before going to trial Maneuvering his way to becoming the King Henry’s most trusted adviser and having quite a powerful influence over him, Cardinal Wolsey convinces Henry that his marriage to Katharine is illegal. Henry and Katharine end up splitting because of this. Wolsey’s intention is to have the Henry marry the daughter of the King of France because of a truce he entered into with France. But that plan did not go the way he wanted it to. Wolsey introduced Henry to Anne Bullen, and Henry becomes interested in her and ends up wanting to marry her. Wolsey writes a letter that was supposed to be sent to the pope, requesting he delay the marriage. However, Henry got a hold of this letter and, appalled by Wolsey’s disloyal actions, fires him and forces him to leave. Wolsey eventually realizes his wrongdoings and dies before he is even able to attend trial. Anne Bullen Introduced to King Henry by Wolsey Henry falls in love with her and marries her She gives birth to Elizabeth (future Queen Elizabeth) Anne and Henry are introduced by Wolsey at a dinner party, and Henry becomes interested in her. Henry and Anne eventually marry, and she gives birth to Elizabeth.Cromwell Wolsey’s friend/servant Cromwell is fiercely loyal to Wolsey and is totally devastated to learn of his death. Despite the terms that Wolsey and the King ended on, Wolsey tells Cromwell to go and serve the King. Wolsey also tells him to live in a humble nature and not repeat the mistakes that he made. Cromwell listens. Cromwell ends up defending Cranmer when he is being attacked by Gardiner. Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Attempts to ruin Cranmer Gardiner starts out as Wolsey’s secretary, until Wolsey assigns him to Henry. Gardiner eventually becomes a member of the council. He has a strong hatred for Cranmer and plots to bring him down. After attacking Cranmer, the King forces Gardiner to accept Cranmer as a friend and he complies. Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury Becomes Henry’s closest adviser Cranmer spends the beginning of the play traveling to various colleges inquiring about the legality of the King’s divorce. During his travels is when Gardiner spreads the rumors about him and planned on bringing him down. Upon learning about this, Henry gives Cranmer his ring to use for protection during trial. It is to be presented in the even that his prosecutors to not accept his position in the argument. Cranmer is an upright, honest character and has done no wrong, and he ends up forgiving Gardiner. At the end, Cranmer baptizes Elizabeth.Buckingham’s SurveyorBuckingham’s surveyor holds a grudge against Buckingham because he fired him (he managed Buckingham’s lands). Wolsey brings in the surveyor to the trial to speak against Buckingham.Earl of Surrey Son-in-law to Duke of Buckingham Sent to Ireland before the Duke is executed Returns to witness Wolsey’s downfall Norfolk Lord of the court Plots against Wolsey Get promoted after Wolsey’s fall At first, Norfolk did not take Buckingham’s aversion to Wolsey seriously. In fact, he told Buckingham to keep his mouth shut about it. However, Norfolk ended up plotting against Wolsey. After Wolsey’s fall, Norfolk gets a promotion. He also is part of Cranmer’s trial and intends to take him down, as well.Cardinal Campeius Cardinal Campeius is the one who had to analyze Henry’s divorce to Katharine and determine whether or not it is legal. He actually came from Rome with the divorce papers, because he knew that Henry was planning on doing it. He, along with Wolsey, try to convince Katharine to go ahead with the divorce. They try to convince her that Henry still loves her and has every intention of watching after her. She, of course, does not buy it. It is not quite clear whether or not Carinal Campeius agrees or disagrees with the divorce. Suffolk, Lord Chamberlain, Lovell, & Lord Chancellor Members of the Council that tries Cranmer Active in many of the court scenes EXCERPT FROM HENRY VIII IN PLAIN AND SIMPLE ENGLISH SCENE I. London. An ante-chamber in the palace. Enter NORFOLK at one door; at the other, BUCKINGHAM and ABERGAVENNYBUCKINGHAMGood morrow, and well met. How have ye doneSince last we saw in France?Good day, and welcome. How have you beensince we last met in France?NORFOLKI thank your grace,Healthful; and ever since a fresh admirerOf what I saw there.Very well, thank youyour Grace; and I have not lost my admirationfor what I saw there.BUCKINGHAMAn untimely agueStay'd me a prisoner in my chamber whenThose suns of glory, those two lights of men,Met in the vale of Andren.An inconvenient feverkept me a prisoner in my room whenthose two glorious suns, those examples to mankind,met in the Vale of Andren.NORFOLK'Twixt Guynes and Arde:I was then present, saw them salute on horseback;Beheld them, when they lighted, how they clungIn their embracement, as they grew together;Which had they, what four throned ones could have weigh'dSuch a compounded one?Between Guynes and Arde:I was there at the time, and saw them greet each other on horseback;I saw how when they dismounted they huggedeach other, as if they were a single being;if they were, what four Kings could have matchedone such combination?BUCKINGHAMAll the whole timeI was my chamber's prisoner.I was confined to my roomthe whole time.NORFOLKThen you lostThe view of earthly glory: men might say,Till this time pomp was single, but now marriedTo one above itself. Each following dayBecame the next day's master, till the lastMade former wonders its. To-day the French,All clinquant, all in gold, like heathen gods,Shone down the English; and, to-morrow, theyMade Britain India: every man that stoodShow'd like a mine. Their dwarfish pages wereAs cherubins, all guilt: the madams too,Not used to toil, did almost sweat to bearThe pride upon them, that their very labourWas to them as a painting: now this masqueWas cried incomparable; and the ensuing nightMade it a fool and beggar. The two kings,Equal in lustre, were now best, now worst,As presence did present them; him in eye,Still him in praise: and, being present both'Twas said they saw but one; and no discernerDurst wag his tongue in censure. When these suns--For so they phrase 'em--by their heralds challengedThe noble spirits to arms, they did performBeyond thought's compass; that former fabulous story,Being now seen possible enough, got credit,That Bevis was believed.Then you misseda sight of glory on earth: men might saythat grandeur was single up to now, before it marriedone even greater. Every successive dayshowed greater pageantry than the rest, until the last onecombined everything that had gone before. One day the French,all glittering with gold, outshone the Englishlike heathen gods; and the next daythe English would display the riches of India; every manlook like a goldmine. Their little pages lookedlike cherubim, all gilded: the ladies too,unused to labour, were almost sweating to carrythe riches upon them, so that their workbrought colour to their cheeks. So this showwould be called unbeatable; and the next nightit looks like the work of a foolish beggar. The two kings,equal in glory, were now the best, then the worst,depending whose turn it was: with themboth there to be seen they were praised equally,men said they could only see one king, and noobserver dared to voice any criticism. When these suns(for that's what they call them) were challenged by their heraldsto joust with each other, they did itbetter than one could imagine, they were so goodthat it was now seen how former feats of arms,previously thought legendary, could have been true.BUCKINGHAMO, you go far.Oh, you're being very effusive.NORFOLKAs I belong to worship and affectIn honour honesty, the tract of every thingWould by a good discourser lose some life,Which action's self was tongue to. All was royal;To the disposing of it nought rebell'd.Order gave each thing view; the office didDistinctly his full function.As God is my witness and as Iworship honesty, I tell you thatthere are not words good enough to describethe things that went on. Everything was royal;nothing was spared in showing it,everything was in its place: the officials didtheir tasks perfectly.BUCKINGHAMWho did guide,I mean, who set the body and the limbsOf this great sport together, as you guess?Who ran the show,I mean, who ordered all the elementsof this great business, do you think? NORFOLKOne, certes, that promises no elementIn such a business.One who you most certainly wouldn't imaginewould have the skills for such a business.BUCKINGHAMI pray you, who, my lord?Tell me, who, my lord?NORFOLKAll this was order'd by the good discretionOf the right reverend Cardinal of York.Everything was done under the ordersof the right reverend Cardinal of York. BUCKINGHAMThe devil speed him! no man's pie is freedFrom his ambitious finger. What had heTo do in these fierce vanities? I wonderThat such a keech can with his very bulkTake up the rays o' the beneficial sunAnd keep it from the earth.A curse on him! There is no pie in whichhe doesn't have his ambitious fingers. What was hisbusiness with these extravagances? I'm amazedthat such a lump is able to occupythe King so much and keep him fromthe general public.NORFOLKSurely, sir,There's in him stuff that puts him to these ends;For, being not propp'd by ancestry, whose graceChalks successors their way, nor call'd uponFor high feats done to the crown; neither alliedFor eminent assistants; but, spider-like,Out of his self-drawing web, he gives us note,The force of his own merit makes his wayA gift that heaven gives for him, which buysA place next to the king.Surely, Sir,there's a reason that he's like this;he is not supported by great ancestry,which gives descendants examples to follow, nor is hevalued for great acts done on behalf of the Crown;nor is he related to great ministers; but, like a spider,he gets his position from his own self-made web,he makes his way by his own merits,the gift that heaven has given him, which buys hima place next to the King.ABERGAVENNYI cannot tellWhat heaven hath given him,--let some graver eyePierce into that; but I can see his pridePeep through each part of him: whence has he that?If not from hell the devil is a niggard,Or has given all before, and he beginsA new hell in himself.I don't knowwhat heaven has given him–let someone moreexperienced look into that; but I can see his prideshining out of every part of him: where has he got that from?If not from hell then the devil is miserly,or has given away all his pride, and Wolsey beginsa new hell himself.BUCKINGHAMWhy the devil,Upon this French going out, took he upon him,Without the privity o' the king, to appointWho should attend on him? He makes up the fileOf all the gentry; for the most part suchTo whom as great a charge as little honourHe meant to lay upon: and his own letter,The honourable board of council out,Must fetch him in the papers.Why the devil did he,at the start of this French expedition, assume,without the King's knowledge, the responsibility of choosingwho should go with him? He chose whichgentlemen should go; mostly those on whomhe intended to impose a great tax withoutgiving them any honour: they were ordered to comeby his own letter, he didn't bother consulting withthe honourable board of Council.ABERGAVENNYI do knowKinsmen of mine, three at the least, that haveBy this so sickened their estates, that neverThey shall abound as formerly.I knowat least three relatives of mine who havehad to spend so much on this business thattheir estates will never recover. BUCKINGHAMO, manyHave broke their backs with laying manors on 'emFor this great journey. What did this vanityBut minister communication ofA most poor issue?O, manyhave acquired a great deal of propertythrough this expedition. What use was this extravaganceapart from stealing away theinheritance of children? NORFOLKGrievingly I think,The peace between the French and us not valuesThe cost that did conclude it.I'm sorry to say,the peace concluded between the French and us is not worththe price we paid for it.BUCKINGHAMEvery man,After the hideous storm that follow'd, wasA thing inspired; and, not consulting, brokeInto a general prophecy; That this tempest,Dashing the garment of this peace, abodedThe sudden breach on't.After the hideous storm that followed thesigning of the peace every man became inspired,and spontaneously everyone began to prophesythat the storm, raging against the peace, showedthat it would be broken.NORFOLKWhich is budded out;For France hath flaw'd the league, and hath attach'dOur merchants' goods at Bourdeaux.And this has come to fruition;for France has broken the deal, and has seizedour merchants' goods at Bordeaux. ABERGAVENNYIs it thereforeThe ambassador is silenced?Does that meanthe ambassador has been prevented from speaking?NORFOLKMarry, is't.It certainly does.ABERGAVENNYA proper title of a peace; and purchasedAt a superfluous rate!A fine thing to call peace; and boughtat such a high price!BUCKINGHAMWhy, all this businessOur reverend cardinal carried.Why, all this businesswas down to our reverend cardinal.NORFOLKLike it your grace,The state takes notice of the private differenceBetwixt you and the cardinal. I advise you--And take it from a heart that wishes towards youHonour and plenteous safety--that you readThe cardinal's malice and his potencyTogether; to consider further thatWhat his high hatred would effect wants notA minister in his power. You know his nature,That he's revengeful, and I know his swordHath a sharp edge: it's long and, 't may be said,It reaches far, and where 'twill not extend,Thither he darts it. Bosom up my counsel,You'll find it wholesome. Lo, where comes that rockThat I advise your shunning.If I may say so your Grace,everyone has noticed the private disagreementbetween you and the Cardinal. I advise you–and accept it from a heart who wishes youhonour and all safety–that you considerthe cardinal's malice and his powertogether; and think further thathe's not lacking ministers to carry outhis hatred. You know what he's like,that he holds a grudge,and I know his swordis sharp: it's long, and one may sayit can reach far places, and where it won't reach,he throws it. Remember my advice,you will find it beneficial. Look, here comes the rockthat I advise you to steer clear of.
