Henry VIII
What is Henry VIII about?
Henry VIII is one of the few of Shakespeare’s plays thought to have been written with a collaborator. It was initially published in the First Folio under Shakespeare’s name only, but in 1850 James Spedding, an English author and expert on the works of Francis Bacon, suggested that the play was a collaboration with John Fletcher, a playwright who later replaced Shakespeare in the King’s Men acting company. Modern scholars mostly tend to agree, though the theory is still controversial as it’s based on textual analysis and not any historical mention of a collaboration. The play is also famous for having burned down the Globe Theatre in 1613 during one of its early performances, when a cannon shot special effect lit the theater’s thatched roof on fire. In the play, King Henry’s closest advisor, Cardinal Wolsey, is hated by the citizens of England. Wolsey has imposed unfair taxes and unpopularly executed the Duke of Buckingham for treason. While at a party, the King falls madly in love with Anne Bullen and plans to divorce his current wife, Katherine of Aragon. Wolsey is asked to help his King in this endeavor, all the while becoming even more hated by the English and their Queen. This Standard Ebooks edition is based on William George Clark and William Aldis Wright’s 1887 Victoria edition, which is taken from the Globe edition.
Main themes in Henry VIII
Power and fall
Power and fall emerges as a defining element in Henry VIII, shaping character development.
Religious change
Henry VIII thoughtfully explores religious change through its central conflicts.
Spectacle and ceremony
Henry VIII thoughtfully explores spectacle and ceremony through its central conflicts.
Providence and prophecy
The presence of providence and prophecy in Henry VIII connects readers to its enduring relevance.
Why Henry VIII is still relevant today
Henry VIII, also known as All Is True, dramatizes recent English history including the fall of Wolsey, the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the birth of Elizabeth I. Written with John Fletcher, the play emphasizes spectacle and providential history leading to Elizabeth's glorious reign. A cannon effect during a 1613 performance burned down the Globe Theatre.
More by this author
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Henry VIII about?
The play dramatizes key events of Henry VIII's reign: Cardinal Wolsey's fall, the divorce from Katherine of Aragon, marriage to Anne Boleyn, and the birth of Princess Elizabeth. It ends with Cranmer's prophecy of Elizabeth's glorious future reign.
Did Shakespeare write all of Henry VIII?
Most scholars believe Shakespeare collaborated with John Fletcher on Henry VIII, probably in 1613. Fletcher likely wrote more than half. The play's style differs from Shakespeare's other histories.
Why did the Globe Theatre burn down during Henry VIII?
On June 29, 1613, a cannon effect set the thatched roof alight during a performance. The theatre burned to the ground in under two hours, though no one was seriously injured. It was rebuilt with a tiled roof.
How does Henry VIII portray Katherine of Aragon?
Katherine is depicted sympathetically as a dignified, wronged queen. Her trial scene and death scene emphasize her virtue and suffering. The play balances celebrating Elizabeth's birth with honoring the woman whose displacement made it possible.