Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, episode 6. The conclusion of Wolf Hall offered a riveting and emotionally resonant finale. Returning this year after a significant break, the acclaimed historical drama ensured that fans felt their anticipation was justified during its second season. A notable stylistic choice throughout the series has been the compelling contrast between death and Henry VIII’s matrimonial endeavors. This cyclical theme, established from the series’ inception, culminates dramatically as Thomas Cromwell’s (Mark Rylance) execution coincides with King Henry VIII’s (Damian Lewis) marriage to Catherine Howard (Summer Richards).
This technique not only wraps up plotlines effectively but also creates striking comparisons between Cromwell and Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy). It underscores the harsh realities of Tudor court politics and the inherent risks associated with power. Similar to the artwork portrayed through Wolf Hall‘s tapestry allegories, these visual narratives emphasize their entwined destinies, both ultimately dismissed by a king swayed by ever-changing ambitions and political calculations.
Cromwell’s Death Juxtaposed with Catherine Howard’s Coronation
Henry VIII’s Marriage to Catherine Howard
Thomas Cromwell, the chief minister to Henry VIII, transitioned from obscurity to wielding substantial influence in England. However, following his role in the ill-fated union with Anne of Cleves, Cromwell found himself vulnerable despite an initial pardon. As anger over the marriage clouded King Henry’s judgment, his court enemies exploited the situation, persuading him that Cromwell was engaging in treason. This led to his execution at Tower Hill, despite Cromwell’s impassioned cries for “mercy, mercy, mercy,”echoed poignantly in Wolf Hall.
Remarkably, Wolf Hall accurately depicts Henry VIII beginning his new marriage on the same day as Cromwell’s execution: both crucial events unfolded on July 28, 1540. Henry and Catherine married at Oatlands Palace in Surrey, and she was officially recognized as queen at Hampton Court Palace on August 8. Catherine adopted the motto “Non autre volonté que la sienne,”translating to “No other will but his.”Significantly, while Henry was 49 at his fifth wedding, Catherine was just 17, and the French ambassador noted her likable nature, referring to her as “delightful.”
Juxtaposition of Death and Marriage Completes the Wolf Hall Narrative
Cyclical Structure of Wolf Hall‘s Storytelling
The deliberate contrast between death and marriage in Wolf Hall not only adds potency but also serves to complete the narrative arc. Viewers first experienced this stark theme when Anne Boleyn’s execution scenes contrasted sharply with Henry VIII anticipating his marriage to Jane Seymour (Kate Phillips). This artistic choice enhances the historical truth of swift remarriage just days after a brutal end.
Beyond recounting history, this artistic decision elevates Wolf Hall to the realm of sophisticated drama. The poignant juxtaposition — one event concluding with stark finality and the other beginning with renewed hope — reflects the cyclical nature of power and the inexorable passage of time in the Tudor court.
Full Circle Moment: Parallels Between Cromwell and Anne Boleyn
Discarded Fates: Cromwell and Anne Boleyn
This narrative device creates a poignant reflection of Thomas Cromwell’s outcome against the backdrop of Anne Boleyn’s demise. While the adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s work imbues sympathy towards Cromwell, the visual representation drives home the irony of their mirrored fates. Not only did both figures lose relevance to Henry VIII, but as identified in the episode by Norfolk, the king’s willingness to discard people is swift and ruthless.
Throughout Wolf Hall, Cromwell wrestles with the haunting effects of Boleyn’s execution. His actions leading to her downfall—manipulating circumstances following her miscarriage—catalyzed her swift downfall. Similarly, previous episodes illustrated Cromwell’s growing disfavor with Henry, setting the stage for Henry’s eventual betrayal.
The gripping sequences in the finale, where Cromwell confronts his accusers, unveil the absurd ‘evidence’ of his supposed treason, such as fictitious plans to marry Lady Mary. This recalls the spurious charges against Anne Boleyn and her brother George, encapsulating how Wolf Hall poignantly illustrates Cromwell’s preoccupation with Boleyn’s lost life.
Sources: HRP, The History of England
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