The Staging of Anne Boleyn
Date Issued
2004
Date
2004
Author(s)
Lu, Yin-Ru
DOI
en-US
Abstract
This thesis examines the historic and dramatic representations of Anne Boleyn, who played a uniquely important role in Tudor history, and in particular during the Reformation. The influence of Anne Boleyn on the Reformation in England has been much neglected by historians and critics. No full-scale critical investigation of this topic had ever been undertaken until E. W. Ives’ monumental work on Anne Boleyn in 1986, which contributed to a revival of historical interest in her. Ives’ work resulted in years of controversial debates centering on her religious views and reasons for her fall. Yet, the revival of interest in Anne Boleyn was mainly confined to history, and did not deal with the fascination she held as a subject for poets, portrait artists and, especially, playwrights. This thesis begins with a discussion of twentieth-century scholarly debates over major aspects of Anne Boleyn’s identity. It is followed by a close reading of two plays about Anne Boleyn, Shakespeare’s Henry VIII (1613) and John Banks’ Vertue Betrayed, or Anna Bullen (1682) respectively, within their historical contexts. The portrayal of Anne Boleyn in drama can be seen as a culmination of changing political and religious circumstances. This thesis will demonstrate that historical writings and dramatic works of Anne Boleyn, rather than offering an accurate or full account of her life, seek to draw upon certain aspects of her life that best accommodate their own political or religious agendas. Before her execution, Anne Boleyn’s final plea to the crowds “If anye persone wyll medle of my cause, I require them to judge the best” was never fulfilled.
Subjects
亨利八世
安娜. 柏琳
莎士比亞歷史劇
約翰.班可思
John Banks
Henry VIII
Shakespeare History Play
Anne Boleyn
Type
thesis
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