Henry VIII: Glance at a loose chronicle
Henry VIII is a loose chronicle rather than a play tautly contrived
with most of its powerful characters making great contributions to its
history and possibly a collaboration between Shakespeare and John
Fletcher.
Written in 1612-13 and sited in London, Westminster, Kimbolten, where
Henry VIII ruled from 1509 to 1547. In 1509, the king married as the
first of his six wives, his elder brother's widow, Katherine of Aragon.
Later she was divorced. It is from here that the story picks up
momentum. The play picks up from where Henry VIII dances with Anne
Bullen at Cardinal Wolsey's London mansion in York Place. The Duke of
Buckingham is condemned to execution on a charge of high treason raised
by Wolsey.
Enter Buckingham from his arraignment -
Buck - 'Nay Sir Nicholas
|
Anne Bullen whom Henry VIII married after divorcing his first
Queen Katherine |
Let it alone; my state now will but mock me.
When I came hither I was Lord High Constable
And Duke of Buckingham; now poor Edward Bohun
Yet, I am richer than my base accusers
That never knew what truth meant; I now seal it.
And with that blood will make 'em one day groan for't'........
Act.II Scene 1
At the inquiry into Henry's marriage, Queen Katherene who also worked
against Wolsey, leaves the Court at Blackfriars to appeal to the Pope.
However, Wolsey's efforts to stop the King from marrying Anne are
discovered along with more evidence of intrigue which later leads to his
dismissal. Secretly the King marries Anne who is crowned Queen. At
Blackfriars, Queen Katherene hears of the death of her enemy, Wolsey.
After her return to Kimbolton, Katherene too dies. The malicious Bishop
of Winchester tries to bring down the new Bishop of Canterbury but the
King intervenes, Crammer as the new Bishop of Canterbury blesses the
King and the new born princess; He prophesies at her christening that
she will be 'a pattern to all prices.'
King 'Thank you good Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; What is her name?
Cram. Elizabeth.........
A pattern to all princes living with her.
And all that shall succeed. Saba was never
More covetous of wisdom and fair virtue
Than this pure soul shall be, All princely grace
That mould up such a mighty piece as this is
With all the virtues that attend the good
Shall still be doubled on her. Truth shall nurse her
Act. V Scene V
In Performance.
A very actable play with racy dialogue, It has a sense of malanchony
pervading but set off by ceremonies with more pomp than in many other
Shakespeare plays. But it is also a play of farewells. Often used as
pageant for celebration, the play is full of disaster.
By a strange turn of event, the fire caused by the discharge of
chambers from a stage canon at Henry\s entry to Wolsey's masque,
destroyed the first Globe Theater on Bankside. Southwark, during a
performance on June 29, 1613.
Thomas Betterton enjoyed playing the King and did so until 1709 and
did so until he died an year later. In the 18th century famous actresses
like Hannah Pitchard and the immortal Sarah Siddons who is famous for
her portrayals in all Shakespeare characters, acted as Katherene. It was
unique that Mrs Siddons had her own brother, John Phillip Kemble acting
the role of Wolsey in fullest grandeur many times between 1788-1816. By
the time 19th century turned around, Wolsey had become the principal
actor in the play. In 1916, Sybil Thorndyke was a magnificent Katherene.
Very few people in the audience noticed a strapping youth acting as
First Serving Man. Later he turned around the to be one of the best
Thespians ever to have crossed the lines in Shakespeare plays in many
major roles. The young actor I am referring to is Sir Laurence Olivier.
In the Sadler's Wells production, Henry became the key figure because
Charles Laughton gave life to the role, acting as a gross sensualist. He
went on to act in a film with same virtuosity. Flora Robsen was another
great Katherine in a Stratford production in 1949. |
