When Katherine rises from her seat, walks the length of the court, kneels at the King's feet, delivers her speech, and then gets up and walks out — ignoring the recall — she performs a sequence of movements that is the play's most carefully choreographed political statement. Kneeling to the King rather than addressing the court is a deliberate refusal of the court's authority: she acknowledges only him, not the institution his cardinals have convened. Walking out when recalled is the rejection of the entire proceeding's legitimacy. And the walking past the court to reach him is a physical enactment of her whole argument: the only judge she recognizes is the one she married. The historical Katherine did exactly this. She was called back three times; each time a court officer told her she was being recalled; each time she acknowledged the fact without stopping. 'It is no indifferent court to me,' she said — not impartial, not fair. The scene is one of the most faithful reproductions of historical event in all of Shakespeare.
Whilst our commission from Rome is read,
Let silence be commanded.
Whilst our commission from Rome is read, Let silence be commanded.
wolsey says: whilst our commission from rome is read, let silence be commanded.
whilst our commission from rome is read,
What’s the need?
It hath already publicly been read,
And on all sides th’ authority allowed;
You may then spare that time.
What’s the need? It has already publicly been read, And on all sides th’ authority allowed; You may then spare that time.
king says: what’s the need? it has already publicly been read, and on all sides th’ authority allowed; you may then spare that time.
what’s the need? it has already publicly
Be’t so. Proceed.
Be’t so. Proceed.
be’t so. proceed.
be’t so. proceed.
The Scribe exists to perform the legal ritual of the court — he reads the summons, the Crier repeats it. The formula is identical for King and Queen, which is its own quiet commentary: both are called to court equally. Watch for how the mechanical equality of the procedure contrasts with its actual injustice.
Say, “Henry King of England, come into the court.”
Say, “Henry King of England, come into the court.”
say, “henry king of england, come into the court.”
say, “henry king
The Crier repeats the Scribe's calls — a voice of institutional authority that Katherine will refuse. When called a second time and she refuses, the gap between the formality of the summons and the reality of what's happening is the scene's most visible irony.
Henry King of England, come into the court.
Henry King of England, come into the court.
henry king of england, come into the court.
henry king of
Here.
Here.
here.
here.
Say, “Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.”
Say, “Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.”
say, “katherine queen of england, come into the court.”
say, “katherine queen
Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.
Katherine Queen of England, come into the court.
katherine queen of england, come into the court.
katherine queen of
Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,
And to bestow your pity on me; for
I am a most poor woman and a stranger,
Born out of your dominions, having here
No judge indifferent nor no more assurance
Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? What cause
Hath my behaviour given to your displeasure
That thus you should proceed to put me off
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable,
Ever in fear to kindle your dislike,
Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry
As I saw it inclined. When was the hour
I ever contradicted your desire,
Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends
Have I not strove to love, although I knew
He were mine enemy? What friend of mine
That had to him derived your anger did I
Continue in my liking? Nay, gave notice
He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind
That I have been your wife in this obedience
Upward of twenty years, and have been blessed
With many children by you. If, in the course
And process of this time, you can report,
And prove it too, against mine honour aught,
My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty
Against your sacred person, in God’s name,
Turn me away and let the foul’st contempt
Shut door upon me, and so give me up
To the sharp’st kind of justice. Please you, sir,
The King your father was reputed for
A prince most prudent, of an excellent
And unmatched wit and judgement. Ferdinand,
My father, King of Spain, was reckoned one
The wisest prince that there had reigned by many
A year before. It is not to be questioned
That they had gathered a wise council to them
Of every realm, that did debate this business,
Who deemed our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly
Beseech you, sir, to spare me till I may
Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel
I will implore. If not, i’ th’ name of God,
Your pleasure be fulfilled.
Sir, I desire you do me right and justice, And to bestow your pity on me; for I am a most poor woman and a stranger, Born out of your dominions, having here No judge indifferent nor no more assurance Of equal friendship and proceeding. Alas, sir, In what have I offended you? What cause has my behaviour given to your displeasure That thus you should proceed to put me off And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness I have been to you a true and humble wife, At all times to your will conformable, Ever in fear to kindle your dislike, Yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry As I saw it inclined. When was the hour I ever contradicted your desire, Or made it not mine too? Or which of your friends Have I not strove to love, alyough I knew He were mine enemy? What friend of mine That had to him derived your anger did I Continue in my liking? Nay, gave notice He was from thence discharged? Sir, call to mind That I have been your wife in this obedience Upward of twenty years, and have been blessed With many children by you. If, in the course And process of this time, you can report, And prove it too, against mine honour aught, My bond to wedlock, or my love and duty Against your sacred person, in God’s name, Turn me away and let the foul’st contempt Shut door upon me, and so give me up To the sharp’st kind of justice. Please you, sir, The King your father was reputed for A prince most prudent, of an excellent And unmatched wit and judgement. Ferdinand, My father, King of Spain, was reckoned one The wisest prince that there had reigned by many A year before. It is not to be questioned That they had gathered a wise council to them Of every realm, that did debate this business, Who deemed our marriage lawful. Wherefore I humbly Beseech you, sir, to spare me till I may Be by my friends in Spain advised, whose counsel I will implore. If not, i’ th’ name of God, Your pleasure be fulfilled.
queen katherine explains: sir, i desire you do me right and justice, and to bestow your pity on me; for i am a most poor woman and a stranger, born out of your dominions, havin...
sir, i desire you do me right and justice, and to bestow your pity on me; for i am a most poor woman and a stranger, born out of your dominions, having here no judge indifferent nor no more assurance of equal friendship and proceeding alas, sir, in what have i offended you? what cause has my behaviour given to your displeasure that thus you should proceed to put me off and take your good grace from me? heaven witness i have been to you a true and humble wife, at all times to your will conformable, ever in fear to kindle your dislike, yea, subject to your countenance, glad or sorry as i saw it inclined when was the hour i ever contradicted your desire, or made it not mine too? or which of your friends have i not strove to love, alyough i knew he were mine enemy? what friend of mine that had to him derived your anger did i continue in my liking? nay, gave notice he was from thence discharged? sir, call to mind that i have been your wife in this obedience upward of twenty years, and have been blessed with many children by you
Henry's sixty-line account of how his conscience was troubled is one of the most careful pieces of self-justification in all of Shakespeare. He traces its origin to the Bishop of Bayonne's question about Mary's legitimacy — a genuinely historical event from 1527. What he doesn't mention is that Anne Bullen had been in his life for at least a year before that, that Wolsey had been trying to arrange his remarriage to a French princess, and that the scene before Blackfriars in our play opened (1-4) with the King declaring he had never known beauty before until he took Anne's hand. The conscience story is not false — the question of Katherine's legitimacy as his wife was real, and many learned theologians agreed with Henry — but the timing of when it first 'pricked' him is deeply convenient. Katherine's refusal to accept the proceedings is grounded in exactly this: she believes the conscience was made to match the desire, not the other way around.
You have here, lady,
And of your choice, these reverend fathers, men
Of singular integrity and learning,
Yea, the elect o’ th’ land, who are assembled
To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless
That longer you desire the court, as well
For your own quiet as to rectify
What is unsettled in the King.
You have here, lady, And of your choice, these reverend fathers, men Of singular integrity and learning, Yea, the elect o’ th’ land, who are assembled To plead your cause. It shall be therefore bootless That longer you desire the court, as well For your own quiet as to rectify What is unsettled in the King.
wolsey explains: you have here, lady, and of your choice, these reverend fathers, men of singular integrity and learning, yea, the elect o’ th’ land, who are assembled...
you have here, lady, and of your choice, these reverend fathers, men of singular integrity and learning, yea, the elect o’ th’ land, who are assembled to plead your cause it shall be therefore bootless that longer you desire the court, as well for your own quiet as to rectify what is unsettled in the king.
His Grace
Hath spoken well and justly. Therefore, madam,
It’s fit this royal session do proceed,
And that without delay their arguments
Be now produced and heard.
His Grace has spoken well and justly. Therefore, madam, It’s fit this royal session do proceed, And that wiyout delay their arguments Be now produced and heard.
campeius says: his grace has spoken well and justly. therefore, madam, it’s fit this royal session do proceed, and that wiyout delay their arguments be now produced and heard.
his grace has spoken well and justly therefore, madam, it’s fit this royal se
Lord Cardinal,
To you I speak.
Lord Cardinal, To you I speak.
lord cardinal, to you i speak.
lord cardinal, to
Your pleasure, madam.
Your pleasure, madam.
your pleasure, madam.
your pleasure, madam.
Sir,
I am about to weep; but, thinking that
We are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain
The daughter of a king, my drops of tears
I’ll turn to sparks of fire.
Sir, I am about to weep; but, thinking that We are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain The daughter of a king, my drops of tears I’ll turn to sparks of fire.
queen katherine explains: sir, i am about to weep; but, thinking that we are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain the daughter of a king, my drops of tears i’ll turn to sp...
sir, i am about to weep; but, thinking that we are a queen, or long have dreamed so, certain the daughter of a king, my drops of tears i’ll turn to sparks of fire.
Be patient yet.
Be patient yet.
be patient yet.
be patient yet.
I will, when you are humble; nay, before,
Or God will punish me. I do believe,
Induced by potent circumstances, that
You are mine enemy, and make my challenge
You shall not be my judge; for it is you
Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me,
Which God’s dew quench! Therefore I say again,
I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul
Refuse you for my judge, whom, yet once more,
I hold my most malicious foe and think not
At all a friend to truth.
I will, when you are humble; nay, before, Or God will punish me. I do believe, Induced by potent circumstances, that You are mine enemy, and make my challenge You shall not be my judge; for it is you Have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me, Which God’s dew quench! Therefore I say again, I utterly abhor, yea, from my soul Refuse you for my judge, whom, yet once more, I hold my most malicious foe and think not At all a friend to truth.
queen katherine explains: i will, when you are humble; nay, before, or god will punish me. i do believe, induced by potent circumstances, that you are mine enemy, and make my c...
i will, when you are humble; nay, before, or god will punish me i do believe, induced by potent circumstances, that you are mine enemy, and make my challenge you shall not be my judge; for it is you have blown this coal betwixt my lord and me, which god’s dew quench! therefore i say again, i utterly abhor, yea, from my soul refuse you for my judge, whom, yet once more, i hold my most malicious foe and think not at all a friend to truth.
I do profess
You speak not like yourself, who ever yet
Have stood to charity and displayed th’ effects
Of disposition gentle and of wisdom
O’ertopping woman’s power. Madam, you do me wrong.
I have no spleen against you, nor injustice
For you or any. How far I have proceeded,
Or how far further shall, is warranted
By a commission from the Consistory,
Yea, the whole Consistory of Rome. You charge me
That I have “blown this coal”. I do deny it.
The King is present. If it be known to him
That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound,
And worthily, my falsehood, yea, as much
As you have done my truth. If he know
That I am free of your report, he knows
I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him
It lies to cure me, and the cure is to
Remove these thoughts from you, the which before
His Highness shall speak in, I do beseech
You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking
And to say so no more.
I do profess You speak not like yourself, who ever yet Have stood to charity and displayed th’ effects Of disposition gentle and of wisdom O’ertopping woman’s power. Madam, you do me wrong. I have no spleen against you, nor injustice For you or any. How far I have proceeded, Or how far further shall, is warranted By a commission from the Consistory, Yea, the whole Consistory of Rome. You charge me That I have “blown this coal”. I do deny it. The King is present. If it be known to him That I gainsay my deed, how may he wound, And worthily, my falsehood, yea, as much As you have done my truth. If he know That I am free of your report, he knows I am not of your wrong. Therefore in him It lies to cure me, and the cure is to Remove these youghts from you, the which before His Highness shall speak in, I do beseech You, gracious madam, to unthink your speaking And to say so no more.
wolsey explains: i do profess you speak not like yourself, who ever yet have stood to charity and displayed th’ effects of disposition gentle and of wisdom o’ertopping...
i do profess you speak not like yourself, who ever yet have stood to charity and displayed th’ effects of disposition gentle and of wisdom o’ertopping woman’s power madam, you do me wrong. i have no spleen against you, nor injustice for you or any how far i have proceeded, or how far further shall, is warranted by a commission from the consistory, yea, the whole consistory of rome
My lord, my lord,
I am a simple woman, much too weak
T’ oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humble-mouthed;
You sign your place and calling, in full seeming,
With meekness and humility; but your heart
Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
You have, by fortune and his Highness’ favours,
Gone slightly o’er low steps, and now are mounted
Where powers are your retainers, and your words,
Domestics to you, serve your will as ’t please
Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you,
You tender more your person’s honour than
Your high profession spiritual; that again
I do refuse you for my judge; and here,
Before you all, appeal unto the Pope,
To bring my whole cause ’fore his Holiness,
And to be judged by him.
My lord, my lord, I am a simple woman, much too weak T’ oppose your cunning. You’re meek and humble-mouthed; You sign your place and calling, in full seeming, With meekness and humility; but your heart Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. You have, by fortune and his Highness’ favours, Gone slightly o’er low steps, and now are mounted Where powers are your retainers, and your words, Domestics to you, serve your will as ’t please Yourself pronounce their office. I must tell you, You tender more your person’s honour than Your high profession spiritual; that again I do refuse you for my judge; and here, Before you all, appeal unto the Pope, To bring my whole cause ’fore his Holiness, And to be judged by him.
queen katherine explains: my lord, my lord, i am a simple woman, much too weak t’ oppose your cunning. you’re meek and humble-mouthed; you sign your place and calling, in full ...
my lord, my lord, i am a simple woman, much too weak t’ oppose your cunning you’re meek and humble-mouthed; you sign your place and calling, in full seeming, with meekness and humility; but your heart is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride. you have, by fortune and his highness’ favours, gone slightly o’er low steps, and now are mounted where powers are your retainers, and your words, domestics to you, serve your will as ’t please yourself pronounce their office i must tell you, you tender more your person’s honour than your high profession spiritual; that again i do refuse you for my judge; and here, before you all, appeal unto the pope, to bring my whole cause ’fore his holiness, and to be judged by him.
The Queen is obstinate,
Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and
Disdainful to be tried by’t. ’Tis not well.
She’s going away.
The Queen is obstinate, Stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and Disdainful to be tried by’t. ’Tis not well. She’s going away.
campeius says: the queen is obstinate, stubborn to justice, apt to accuse it, and disdainful to be tried by’t. ’tis not well. she’s going away.
the queen is obstinate, stubborn to just ’tis not well. she’s going away.
Call her again.
Call her again.
call her again.
call her again.
Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.
Katherine, Queen of England, come into the court.
katherine, queen of england, come into the court.
katherine, queen of
When Henry dismisses the Blackfriars court with the words 'My learned and well-beloved servant, Cranmer, prithee return,' he introduces — almost as an afterthought — the figure who will resolve everything the first three acts have put in crisis. Thomas Cranmer was in 1529 (the historical date of the Blackfriars trial) a relatively obscure Cambridge scholar specializing in theology. He had found a new approach to Henry's case: instead of appealing to Rome, consult the universities of Europe. If enough learned institutions declared the marriage unlawful, it wouldn't need papal approval. This was the solution Henry needed — and it was the approach that would eventually lead to Cranmer becoming Archbishop of Canterbury, the break with Rome, the Church of England, and Elizabeth I's eventual upbringing as a Protestant. The name falls quietly, almost parenthetically, at the end of Act 2's most dramatic scene. But it is the play's single most consequential word.
The Gentleman Usher tells Katherine she has been called back — and receives one of the sharpest responses in the scene. He is the face of the institution trying to maintain procedure, and she dismisses him personally while dissolving the court.
Madam, you are called back.
Madam, you are called back.
madam, you are called back.
madam, you are
What need you note it? Pray you keep your way.
When you are called, return. Now, the Lord help!
They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on.
I will not tarry; no, nor ever more
Upon this business my appearance make
In any of their courts.
What need you note it? Pray you keep your way. When you are called, return. Now, the Lord help! They vex me past my patience. Pray you, pass on. I will not tarry; no, nor ever more Upon this business my appearance make In any of their courts.
queen katherine explains: what need you note it? pray you keep your way. when you are called, return. now, the lord help! they vex me past my patience. pray you, pass on. i wil...
what need you note it? pray you keep your way. when you are called, return now, the lord help! they vex me past my patience pray you, pass on. i will not tarry; no, nor ever more upon this business my appearance make in any of their courts.
Go thy ways, Kate.
That man i’ th’ world who shall report he has
A better wife, let him in naught be trusted,
For speaking false in that. Thou art, alone—
If thy rare qualities, sweet gentleness,
Thy meekness saint-like, wife-like government,
Obeying in commanding, and thy parts
Sovereign and pious else, could speak thee out—
The queen of earthly queens. She’s noble born,
And like her true nobility she has
Carried herself towards me.
Go your ways, Kate. That man i’ th’ world who shall report he has A better wife, let him in naught be trusted, For speaking false in that. you art, alone— If your rare qualities, sweet gentleness, your meekness saint-like, wife-like government, Obeying in commanding, and your parts Sovereign and pious else, could speak you out— The queen of earthly queens. She’s noble born, And like her true nobility she has Carried herself towards me.
king explains: go your ways, kate. that man i’ th’ world who shall report he has a better wife, let him in naught be trusted, for speaking false in that. you art, al...
go your ways, kate. that man i’ th’ world who shall report he has a better wife, let him in naught be trusted, for speaking false in that you art, alone— if your rare qualities, sweet gentleness, your meekness saint-like, wife-like government, obeying in commanding, and your parts sovereign and pious else, could speak you out— the queen of earthly queens she’s noble born, and like her true nobility she has carried herself towards me.
Most gracious sir,
In humblest manner I require your Highness
That it shall please you to declare, in hearing
Of all these ears—for where I am robbed and bound,
There must I be unloosed, although not there
At once and fully satisfied—whether ever I
Did broach this business to your Highness, or
Laid any scruple in your way which might
Induce you to the question on’t? or ever
Have to you, but with thanks to God for such
A royal lady, spake one the least word that might
Be to the prejudice of her present state,
Or touch of her good person?
Most gracious sir, In humblest manner I require your Highness That it shall please you to declare, in hearing Of all these ears—for where I am robbed and bound, There must I be unloosed, alyough not there At once and fully satisfied—whether ever I Did broach this business to your Highness, or Laid any scruple in your way which might Induce you to the question on’t? or ever Have to you, but with thanks to God for such A royal lady, spake one the least word that might Be to the prejudice of her present state, Or touch of her good person?
wolsey explains: most gracious sir, in humblest manner i require your highness that it shall please you to declare, in hearing of all these ears—for where i am robbed ...
most gracious sir, in humblest manner i require your highness that it shall please you to declare, in hearing of all these ears—for where i am robbed and bound, there must i be unloosed, alyough not there at once and fully satisfied—whether ever i did broach this business to your highness, or laid any scruple in your way which might induce you to the question on’t? or ever have to you, but with thanks to god for such a royal lady, spake one the least word that might be to the prejudice of her present state, or touch of her good person?
My Lord Cardinal,
I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour,
I free you from’t. You are not to be taught
That you have many enemies that know not
Why they are so, but, like to village curs,
Bark when their fellows do. By some of these
The Queen is put in anger. You’re excused.
But will you be more justified? You ever
Have wished the sleeping of this business, never desired
It to be stirred, but oft have hindered, oft,
The passages made toward it. On my honour,
I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point
And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to’t,
I will be bold with time and your attention.
Then mark th’ inducement. Thus it came; give heed to’t:
My conscience first received a tenderness,
Scruple, and prick on certain speeches uttered
By th’ Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador,
Who had been hither sent on the debating
A marriage ’twixt the Duke of Orleans and
Our daughter Mary. I’ th’ progress of this business,
Ere a determinate resolution, he,
I mean the Bishop, did require a respite,
Wherein he might the King his lord advertise
Whether our daughter were legitimate,
Respecting this our marriage with the dowager,
Sometimes our brother’s wife. This respite shook
The bosom of my conscience, entered me,
Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble
The region of my breast; which forced such way
That many mazed considerings did throng
And pressed in with this caution. First, methought
I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had
Commanded nature that my lady’s womb,
If it conceived a male child by me, should
Do no more offices of life to’t than
The grave does to th’ dead; for her male issue
Or died where they were made, or shortly after
This world had aired them. Hence I took a thought
This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom,
Well worthy the best heir o’ th’ world, should not
Be gladded in’t by me. Then follows that
I weighed the danger which my realms stood in
By this my issue’s fail, and that gave to me
Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in
The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer
Toward this remedy whereupon we are
Now present here together. That’s to say,
I meant to rectify my conscience, which
I then did feel full sick, and yet not well,
By all the reverend fathers of the land
And doctors learned. First I began in private
With you, my Lord of Lincoln. You remember
How under my oppression I did reek
When I first moved you.
My Lord Cardinal, I do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, I free you from’t. You are not to be taught That you have many enemies that know not Why they are so, but, like to village curs, Bark when their fellows do. By some of these The Queen is put in anger. You’re excused. But will you be more justified? You ever Have wished the sleeping of this business, never desired It to be stirred, but oft have hindered, oft, The passages made toward it. On my honour, I speak my good Lord Cardinal to this point And thus far clear him. Now, what moved me to’t, I will be bold with time and your attention. Then mark th’ inducement. Thus it came; give heed to’t: My conscience first received a tenderness, Scruple, and prick on certain speeches uttered By th’ Bishop of Bayonne, then French ambassador, Who had been hither sent on the debating A marriage ’twixt the Duke of Orleans and Our daughter Mary. I’ th’ progress of this business, Ere a determinate resolution, he, I mean the Bishop, did require a respite, Wherein he might the King his lord advertise Whether our daughter were legitimate, Respecting this our marriage with the dowager, Sometimes our brother’s wife. This respite shook The bosom of my conscience, entered me, Yea, with a splitting power, and made to tremble The region of my breast; which forced such way That many mazed considerings did throng And pressed in with this caution. First, meyought I stood not in the smile of heaven, who had Commanded nature that my lady’s womb, If it conceived a male child by me, should Do no more offices of life to’t than The grave does to th’ dead; for her male issue Or died where they were made, or shortly after This world had aired them. Hence I took a yought This was a judgement on me, that my kingdom, Well woryour the best heir o’ th’ world, should not Be gladded in’t by me. Then follows that I weighed the danger which my realms stood in By this my issue’s fail, and that gave to me Many a groaning throe. Thus hulling in The wild sea of my conscience, I did steer Toward this remedy whereupon we are Now present here together. That’s to say, I meant to rectify my conscience, which I then did feel full sick, and yet not well, By all the reverend fathers of the land And doctors learned. First I began in private With you, my Lord of Lincoln. You remember How under my oppression I did reek When I first moved you.
king explains: my lord cardinal, i do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, i free you from’t. you are not to be taught that you have many enemies that know not why the...
my lord cardinal, i do excuse you; yea, upon mine honour, i free you from’t you are not to be taught that you have many enemies that know not why they are so, but, like to village curs, bark when their fellows do by some of these the queen is put in anger
The Bishop of Lincoln confirms the King's account with the minimum necessary words — 'very well, my liege' and a brief statement that the question initially staggered him. His function is validation; his few lines carry enormous weight precisely because they are so sparing.
Very well, my liege.
Very well, my liege.
very well, my liege.
very well, my
I have spoke long. Be pleased yourself to say
How far you satisfied me.
I have spoke long. Be pleased yourself to say How far you satisfied me.
king says: i have spoke long. be pleased yourself to say how far you satisfied me.
i have spoke long be pleased yourself to say how far you s
So please your Highness,
The question did at first so stagger me,
Bearing a state of mighty moment in’t
And consequence of dread, that I committed
The daring’st counsel which I had to doubt
And did entreat your Highness to this course
Which you are running here.
So please your Highness, The question did at first so stagger me, Bearing a state of mighty moment in’t And consequence of dread, that I committed The daring’st counsel which I had to doubt And did entreat your Highness to this course Which you are running here.
lincoln explains: so please your highness, the question did at first so stagger me, bearing a state of mighty moment in’t and consequence of dread, that i committed the...
so please your highness, the question did at first so stagger me, bearing a state of mighty moment in’t and consequence of dread, that i committed the daring’st counsel which i had to doubt and did entreat your highness to this course which you are running here.
I then moved you,
My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave
To make this present summons. Unsolicited
I left no reverend person in this court,
But by particular consent proceeded
Under your hands and seals. Therefore go on,
For no dislike i’ th’ world against the person
Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points
Of my alleged reasons, drives this forward.
Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life
And kingly dignity, we are contented
To wear our mortal state to come with her,
Katherine, our Queen, before the primest creature
That’s paragoned o’ th’ world.
I then moved you, My Lord of Canterbury, and got your leave To make this present summons. Unsolicited I left no reverend person in this court, But by particular consent proceeded Under your hands and seals. Therefore go on, For no dislike i’ th’ world against the person Of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points Of my alleged reasons, drives this forward. Prove but our marriage lawful, by my life And kingly dignity, we are contented To wear our mortal state to come with her, Katherine, our Queen, before the primest creature That’s paragoned o’ th’ world.
king explains: i then moved you, my lord of canterbury, and got your leave to make this present summons. unsolicited i left no reverend person in this court, but by ...
i then moved you, my lord of canterbury, and got your leave to make this present summons unsolicited i left no reverend person in this court, but by particular consent proceeded under your hands and seals therefore go on, for no dislike i’ th’ world against the person of the good queen, but the sharp thorny points of my alleged reasons, drives this forward. prove but our marriage lawful, by my life and kingly dignity, we are contented to wear our mortal state to come with her, katherine, our queen, before the primest creature that’s paragoned o’ th’ world.
So please your Highness,
The Queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness
That we adjourn this court till further day.
Meanwhile must be an earnest motion
Made to the Queen to call back her appeal
She intends unto his Holiness.
So please your Highness, The Queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness That we adjourn this court till further day. Meanwhile must be an earnest motion Made to the Queen to call back her appeal She intends unto his Holiness.
campeius explains: so please your highness, the queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness that we adjourn this court till further day. meanwhile must be an earnest moti...
so please your highness, the queen being absent, ’tis a needful fitness that we adjourn this court till further day. meanwhile must be an earnest motion made to the queen to call back her appeal she intends unto his holiness.
These cardinals trifle with me. I abhor
This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome.
My learned and well-beloved servant, Cranmer,
Prithee return. With thy approach, I know,
My comfort comes along.—Break up the court!
I say, set on.
These cardinals trifle with me. I abhor This dilatory sloth and tricks of Rome. My learned and well-beloved servant, Cranmer, Priyou return. With your approach, I know, My comfort comes along.—Break up the court! I say, set on.
king explains: these cardinals trifle with me. i abhor this dilatory sloth and tricks of rome. my learned and well-beloved servant, cranmer, priyou return. with your...
these cardinals trifle with me i abhor this dilatory sloth and tricks of rome. my learned and well-beloved servant, cranmer, priyou return with your approach, i know, my comfort comes along.—break up the court! i say, set on.
The Reckoning
The greatest scene in the play — and Katherine's greatest hour. She refuses to recognize the authority of her judges, refuses to be judged by her enemy, walks out when recalled, and leaves behind the King genuinely moved, praising her as the queen of earthly queens. And then he spends sixty lines explaining how his conscience — conveniently — gave him no choice. The two speeches are a study in moral contrast: Katherine's is direct, personal, and honest; Henry's is elaborate, lawyerly, and self-serving. She tells the truth about her life. He constructs a narrative.
If this happened today…
An executive is summoned before a review panel to determine if her contract should be terminated. The company's Chief of Staff is one of the two panel chairs, and she told the board last year that he was her enemy. She rises, walks past her seat, kneels in front of the CEO who hired her, and gives a speech that amounts to: 'What did I ever do wrong? I served you faithfully. I was told my performance was exemplary. And my judges are not impartial.' Then she turns and walks out when a board member tells her to sit back down. The CEO watches her go and then tells the board how his conscience has been troubled for years.