Synopsis Henry VIII (play)

image of queen katherine, graphic gallery of shakespeare s heroines

the play s second scene introduces king henry viii, , shows reliance on wolsey favourite. queen katherine enters protest wolsey s abuse of tax system own purposes; wolsey defends himself, when king revokes cardinal s measures, wolsey spreads rumour himself responsible king s action. katherine challenges arrest of buckingham, wolsey defends arrest producing duke s surveyor, primary accuser. after hearing surveyor, king orders buckingham s trial occur.

at banquet thrown wolsey, king , attendants enter in disguise masquers. king dances anne boleyn.

two anonymous gentlemen open act ii, 1 giving other account of buckingham s treason trial. buckingham himself enters in custody after conviction, , makes farewells followers , public. after exit, 2 gentlemen talk court gossip, wolsey s hostility toward katherine. next scene shows wolsey beginning move against queen, while nobles norfolk , suffolk on critically. wolsey introduces cardinal campeius , gardiner king; campeius has come serve judge in trial wolsey arranging katherine.

anne boleyn shown conversing old lady attendant. anne expresses sympathy @ queen s troubles; lord chamberlain enters inform king has made marchioness of pembroke. once lord chamberlain leaves, old lady jokes anne s sudden advancement in king s favour.

the first edition of raphael holinshed s chronicles of england, scotlande, , irelande, printed in 1577.

a lavishly-staged trial scene portrays katherine s hearing before king , courtiers. katherine reproaches wolsey machinations against her, , refuses stay proceedings. king defends wolsey, , states own doubts legitimacy of marriage led trial. campeius protests hearing cannot continue in queen s absence, , king grudgingly adjourns proceeding. wolsey , campeius confront katherine among ladies-in-waiting; katherine makes emotional protest treatment.

norfolk, suffolk, surrey, , lord chamberlain shown plotting against wolsey. packet of wolsey s letters pope have been re-directed king; letters show wolsey playing double game, opposing henry s planned divorce katherine pope while supporting king. king shows wolsey displeasure, , wolsey first time realises has lost henry s favour. noblemen mock wolsey, , cardinal sends follower cromwell away cromwell not brought down in wolsey s fall grace.

the 2 gentlemen return observe , comment upon lavish procession anne boleyn s coronation queen, passes on stage in presence. afterward joined third gentleman, updates them on more court gossip – rise of thomas cromwell in royal favour, , plots against cranmer, archbishop of canterbury. katherine shown, ill; has vision of dancing spirits. caputius visits her; katherine expresses continuing loyalty king despite divorce, , wishes new queen well.

the king summons nervous cranmer presence, , expresses support; later, when cranmer shown disrespect king s council, henry reproves them , displays favour of churchman. anne boleyn gives birth daughter, future queen elizabeth. in play s closing scenes, porter , man complain trying control massive , enthusiastic crowds attend infant elizabeth s christening; lush procession followed prediction of glories of new born princess s future reign , of successor, play s epilogue.