How we cite our quotes: (Act.Scene.Line)
Quote #4
QUEEN KATHERINE
Sir, I desire you do me right and justice,
And to bestow your pity on me; for
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. Alas, sir,
In what have I offended you? What cause
Hath my behavior given to your displeasure
That thus you should proceed to put me off
And take your good grace from me? Heaven witness
I have been to you a true and humble wife,
At all times to your will conformable... (2.4.16-27)
Defending herself at trial, Katherine points out she's got a double whammy against her: she's a foreigner and a woman. The fact that she relates the two of those together shows us that her society thinks of her gender as a disadvantage. We get it: women had less say over their lives and had to obey what their fathers and husbands said. What we want to know is: does that hold true for Katherine? Does she have to listen to men, or does she do her own thing? Or something in between? What, if anything, gives her power?
Quote #5
QUEEN KATHERINE
And to such men of gravity and learning,
In truth I know not. I was set at work
Among my maids, full little, God knows, looking
Either for such men or such business.
For her sake that I have been—for I feel
The last fit of my greatness—good your Graces,
Let me have time and counsel for my cause.
Alas, I am a woman friendless, hopeless! (3.1.82-89)
Katherine has no problem characterizing herself as weak to Wolsey and Campeius, since they do have some power over her. She plays the victim card by using her gender to tug at their heartstrings and get a little sympathy. Too bad it doesn't work.
Quote #6
CAMPEIUS
You wrong your virtues
With these weak women's fears. A noble spirit,
As yours was put into you, ever casts
Such doubts, as false coin, from it. The King loves
you; (3.1.186-190)
That's a backhanded compliment if we've ever heard one. Campeius tells Katherine that she's not like other women; she's strong and fearless. Um, okay. If we read between the (not so subtle) lines, we'll get that this dude thinks women are weak and fearful.