Henry VIII: A Reflection of Time

Abstract

This study examines how king Henry VIII is represented throughout the centuries. In particular, it seeks to answer the question how writers, dramatists, and scriptwriters reproduced Henry VIII according to their own time and views. This thesis examines the numerous representations of Henry VIII over a wide time span from the sixteenth century until today. Previous studies on Henry VIII have mainly focused on how politics and religion developed in his reign and less on how Henry himself is represented. Through the analyses of selected literary and popular works, this research explores influential representations of Henry VIII. The findings of this thesis show how writers have reproduced and given their own spin to historical facts about Henry’s life and reign and how their representation of Henry VIII reflects the biases and influences of that time. This thesis provides an extensive view on how and why Henry VIII is represented throughout time.