I read Henry VIII two weeks ago and wondered again about how to view, or what assumptions to make, about Anne’s motives or response to her role in replacing Katherine. I think you have resolved it for me. I agree that Shakespeare always seems to want us to be “on the inside” in terms of knowing motives, in knowing what he wants us to know in order to best understand his plays’ characters. The fact that we don’t get the private aside moment of disclosure here, as you pointed out so effectively, makes the difference for me, too. I greatly enjoyed your essay.
I read Henry VIII two weeks ago and wondered again about how to view, or what assumptions to make, about Anne’s motives or response to her role in replacing Katherine. I think you have resolved it for me. I agree that Shakespeare always seems to want us to be “on the inside” in terms of knowing motives, in knowing what he wants us to know in order to best understand his plays’ characters. The fact that we don’t get the private aside moment of disclosure here, as you pointed out so effectively, makes the difference for me, too. I greatly enjoyed your essay.