The authoritative edition of Henry VIII from The Folger Shakespeare
Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and
general readers.
In Henry VIII, Shakespeare presents a monarchy in crisis. Noblemen
battle with Lord Chancellor Cardinal Wolsey, who taxes the people to the
point of rebellion. Witnesses whom Wolsey brings against the Duke of
Buckingham claim he is conspiring to take the throne, yet Buckingham
seems innocent as he goes to his death.
Henry is also without a male heir. After meeting the beautiful Anne
Boleyn, he says that he suspects his current marriage to Katherine, with
whom he has one surviving daughter, is invalid. Katherine, meanwhile,
glows with such splendid integrity that actresses have long desired the
role. She advocates for the people, suspects the witnesses against
Buckingham, and eloquently defends her conduct as Henry's wife.
This edition includes:
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the
play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of
the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play's famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern
perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of
rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Barbara A. Mowat
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's
largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for
Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions
open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full
calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit
Folger.edu.
