How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #7
WOLSEY
I have touched the highest point of all my greatness,
And, from that full meridian of my glory
I haste now to my setting. I shall fall... (3.2.275-277)
Right after he's been found out, Wolsey imagines himself falling in terms of social class. He goes from the highest point all the way down to the lowest point. That's a bummer, but we can't help but point out that Wolsey brought a lot of it on himself. So, is social class something you inherit, or is it something you can change yourself?
Quote #8
WOLSEY
Vain pomp and glory of this world, I hate you.
I feel my heart new opened. O, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors!
There is, betwixt that smile we would aspire to,
That sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin,
More pangs and fears than wars or women have... (3.2.434-439)
Earlier, Wolsey pretended to be a poor guy in front of the king as a way of flattering in the guy. He was all, "Oh, I'm so poor compared to your richness." Well, now it's true: he no longer has his title or any power within the kingdom. His fall from grace is so dramatic because it's sudden… but also because he falls so far. Guess you got to be careful who you knock off on your way to the top.
Quote #9
THIRD GENTLEMAN
When by the Archbishop of Canterbury
She had all the royal makings of a queen—
As, holy oil, Edward Confessor's crown,
The rod, and bird of peace, and all such emblems—
Laid nobly on her; which performed, the choir... (4.1.103-107)
At Anne's coronation, the gents look on and describe her to us. She's beautiful, to be sure, but what really caught our attention is the way these guys say she's already got royalty in her blood. What does that actually look like? It's funny to think that the gents view her as royalty just because she's gone through this one ceremony, whereas at the beginning of the play, she was just plain old Anne Bullen.