num_pages: 288
description: William Shakespeare's Henry VIII is a compelling history play, recreating a crucial moment in the Tudor dynasty, and the events that marked the beginning of the English Reformation. This Penguin Shakespeare edition is edited by A.R. Humphreys, with an introduction by C.M.S. Alexander. 'O, how wretched Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favours!' Conspiracies and intrigue are rife in the court of Henry VIII as the Duke of Buckingham is executed for treason, having been tricked by his enemy Cardinal Wolsey. And when the King falls in love with Anne Boleyn and decides to divorce his wife, Katherine of Aragon, he causes an irrevocable rift with the Catholic Church. After the King's secret marriage to Anne, courtiers fall in and out of favour and deaths abound, with far-reaching consequences. This book contains a general introduction to Shakespeare's life and Elizabethan theatre, a separate introduction toHenry VIII, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen, and a commentary. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was born to John Shakespeare and Mary Arden some time in late April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He wrote about 38 plays (the precise number is uncertain), many of which are regarded as the most exceptional works of drama ever produced, including Romeo and Juliet (1595), Henry V (1599), Hamlet (1601), Othello (1604), King Lear (1606) and Macbeth (1606), as well as a collection of 154 sonnets, which number among the most profound and influential love-poetry in English. If you enjoyed Henry VIII, you might like Richard II, also available in Penguin Shakespeare. 'If we wish to know the force of human genius we should read Shakespeare' William Hazlitt
language: English
title: Penguin Classics Henry VIII
titlecomplete: Penguin Classics Henry VIII
characters: Patience (Lady in waiting to Katherine of Aragon), Nicholas Vaux, 1st Baron Vaux of Harrowden, Thomas Audley, 1st Baron Audley of Walden, Elizabeth I of England, Anthony Denny, Henry VIII of England, Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester, Stephen Gardiner, Thomas Wolsey, Gilbert Park, William Sandys, 1st Baron Sandys, John Longland, Bishop of Lincoln, Anne Boleyn, William Warham, Thomas Cranmer, Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, Stephen Peacock, Lord Mayor of London, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, Catherine of Aragon, Eustace Chapuys, Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk, 2nd Earl of Surrey, Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk, Nicholas Hopkins, John de la Court, Charles Knevet, Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk, Henry Guildford, Thomas More, George Nevill, 5th Baron Bergavenny, Griffith, attendant to Katherine of Aragon, Sir Henry Marney, Dr. William Butts, Old Lady (Attendant to Anne Boleyn), Lorenzo Campeggio, Thomas Lovell, Thomas Cromwell
genres: Historical, Literature, Classics, Drama, Plays, 17th Century, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Theatre
ratings_count: 9038
publisher: Penguin Classic