Courtiers upstage flinty despot 'Henry' in Bard's Tudor tale

By John Berger

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 14, 2012

~~<p>Although many Americans probably associate Henry VIII with Herman's Hermits' lighthearted hit, "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am," a playwright of Shakespeare's time would have had to tread carefully when writing about the powerful and ruthless English monarch.</p>
<p>Henry VIII was the father of Queen Elizabeth, also powerful and ruthless, who ruled England during most of Shakespeare's lifetime. He was also the great-uncle of James VI of Scotland, who became king of England when the "Virgin Queen" died in 1603. Henry did not always treat Elizabeth well — he even had her mother executed so he could marry another woman — but she outlived Henry's three other acknowledged children and eventually became queen.</p>
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<td><strong>‘HENRY VIII’ </strong> <br />
<em>Hawaii Shakespeare Festival</em>
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Although many Americans probably associate Henry VIII with Herman's Hermits' lighthearted hit, "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am," a playwright of Shakespeare's time would have had to tread carefully when writing about the powerful and ruthless English monarch.

Henry VIII was the father of Queen Elizabeth, also powerful and ruthless, who ruled England during most of Shakespeare's lifetime. He was also the great-uncle of James VI of Scotland, who became king of England when the "Virgin Queen" died in 1603. Henry did not always treat Elizabeth well — he even had her mother executed so he could marry another woman — but she outlived Henry's three other acknowledged children and eventually became queen. ‘HENRY VIII’ Hawaii Shakespeare Festival Login for more...