How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
ANNE
Verily,
I swear, 'tis better to be lowly born
And range with humble livers in content
Than to be perked up in a glistering grief
And wear a golden sorrow. (2.3.22-26)
Sure, you don't want to be queen, Anne. Well, maybe she doesn't—once Henry chooses her, she certainly doesn't have much say in the matter. At any rate, what she says to the Old Lady is worth a look: Anne argues that it's better to be low, because if you are born high, you could fall and miss what you had. Everyone in the audience would know that this was exactly what happened to Anne—Henry eventually had her beheaded.
Quote #5
KING
Thy meekness saintlike, wifelike 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. (2.4.154-159)
Isn't Henry supposed to be divorcing Katherine? The way he talks about her would make you think he cares about her still. He speaks really highly about his wife, complimenting her attitude and personality. The fact that he relates these qualities to her "noble" blood tells us a lot about what Henry thinks about class. Unsurprisingly, everything honest and good is high class, just like him.
Quote #6
QUEEN KATHERINE
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. (2.4.18-21)
Here, Katherine creates a funny contrast between her actual status as queen and her new status as being the king's ex. A queen cannot be poor, but Wolsey has crippled her in terms of class, she claims. She was born with a kingdom (Spain) and yet dies with nothing. It looks like class isn't the most important thing, after all.