| Author |
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
| Title |
King Henry the Eighth
|
| Alternate Title |
King Henry VIII
|
| Note |
The First Folio, 1623
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 85.4 (6th grade). Easy to read.
|
| Summary |
"King Henry the Eighth" by William Shakespeare is a historical play written during the early 17th century, which explores the tumultuous reign of King Henry VIII of England. The main characters include King Henry himself, his first wife Catherine of Aragon, and the ambitious Cardinal Wolsey. The play delves into personal and political conflicts through themes of love, power, and betrayal, depicting the significant events and relationships that shaped the king's rule. The beginning of the play sets a serious tone with an invitation for the audience to engage deeply with the unfolding drama, signaling a departure from comedic fare. It introduces the characters of the Duke of Norfolk and the Duke of Buckingham, who engage in a conversation about court intrigues and the power dynamics of the time. We see early hints of Cardinal Wolsey's ambition and grasp for power, as well as the brewing tensions surrounding the king's marriage to Catherine and the implications it has on state affairs. This opening portion establishes a foundation of intrigue and moral complexity around King Henry's court, foreshadowing the dramatic events that are to follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
|
| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
|
| Subject |
Great Britain -- Kings and rulers -- Drama
|
| Subject |
Henry, VIII, King of England, 1491-1547 -- Drama
|
| Subject |
Historical drama
|
| Subject |
Great Britain -- History -- Henry VIII, 1509-1547 -- Drama
|
| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
1136 |
| Release Date |
Dec 1, 1997 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Nov 3, 2023 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
182 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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