Analysis of Shakepeare's Use of Elements in the Play Henry VIII

Literature and Free Compose Response
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1 What does the long dash achieve? How about the question mark in the next line? The exclamation mark?
The dash introduces the irony in the context. The words immediately after the dash “to little good you” is ironical and satirical. The farewell in the context is not for a good purpose. Instead, it is for a sad reason because Cardinal Wolsey has suddenly lost his noble position as the king’s adviser. The author uses the question mark in the following sentence to give the audience a chance to rethink the use of the word “farewell” in the first sentence. It is not the farewell that the reader expected after all. Lastly, the exclamation mark’s use is satirical. The author uses it to show the audience that the farewell upon Wolsey is not because of his greatness.
2 Who is you? What effect would the message have depending on if “you” were the king, the audience or anyone else?
You, in the context, is the role that Wolsey played before his downfall. The message would remain ironic depending on who is “you” in the context because facts do not change. It remains that Wolsey does is not happy about his downfall from being the king’s advisor.
3 What is the effect of repetition of farewell?
The word farewell is repeated to bring out the irony in the context. A farewell is rarely held for negative progress, like the downfall from a noble position as the king’s advisor.
4 How might the word “greatness” have multiple meanings? How might the author use it ironically?
The word “greatness” can be interpreted into multiple meanings, some bringing out irony. First is that Wolsey is great because descending into the position of a king’s advisor requires real greatness. The second meaning, which is ironical, is that a great person maintains their status and only comes down the rank honourably. Wolsey suddenly lost his greatness when he lost the position of an advisor.
5 Why is Wolsey talking about the state of man rather than directly about himself? What outlook does this approach give him at least momentarily?
Wolsey talks about the state of man to show that the predicaments he is facing can befall anybody and not confined to him alone. This approach gives a momentary sympathy that he is a victim of regimes.
6 How is Wolsey setting up this metaphor? What can be said about the word “tender”?
Wolsey sets up the metaphor to explain how his hopes had a great objective. Something tender is often fragile and should be taken care of for it to grow into a success. He took care of his integrity to get a promotion into the king’s advisor position.
7 Why do you think Wolsey has this transformation occur in seemingly a day?
Wolsey wanted to show that changes are inevitable and untimed. They can happen at any time despite the period one has spent in a certain position.
8 What multiple meanings can you draw from bears?
The first meaning of bears is that of getting results from hard work. Second is the irony of the context. Wolsey’s does not b...