# Scene II explained — Henry VIII

> Chapter companion for Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Cardinal Wolsey schemes against Anne Bullen and Cranmer, while King Henry VIII confronts him over his accumulated wealth. Wolsey is accused of treason and ambition by Surrey and others, leading to his fall from power. In his final moments, Wolsey advises Cromwell to forsake ambition and serve God and country faithfully.

## Themes in this chapter

### Power and Ambition

Wolsey's ambition is central to the chapter, as he schemes against Anne Bullen and Cranmer, and his downfall is triggered by his accumulation of wealth and power.

### Fall of the Mighty

Wolsey's dramatic fall from grace is depicted through accusations of treason and his final advice to Cromwell, highlighting the transient nature of power.

### Loyalty and Betrayal

Wolsey's loyalty to the king is questioned, and he feels betrayed by his own ambition; his advice to Cromwell emphasizes loyalty to God and country.

## Character check-ins

### Cardinal Wolsey

Schemes against Anne Bullen and Cranmer; confronted by the King about his wealth; accused of treason by Surrey; falls from power and advises Cromwell.

### King Henry VIII

Confronts Wolsey about his accumulated wealth and inventory; reads a schedule revealing Wolsey's possessions.

### Cromwell

Wolsey's servant; receives final advice from Wolsey to forsake ambition and serve the king and God.

### Duke of Norfolk

Observes Wolsey's strange behavior; participates in accusing Wolsey of ambition.

### Earl Surrey

Accuses Wolsey of treason and ambition; lists articles of Wolsey's misdeeds; seeks justice for Buckingham.

### Duke of Suffolk

Accuses Wolsey of acting without the king's knowledge in foreign affairs.

### Lord Chamberlain

Advises Surrey not to press a falling man too far; shows pity for Wolsey.

### Anne Bullen

Mentioned by Wolsey as a threat; he refuses to support her marriage to the king.

## Key lines

> Had I but served my God with half the zeal I served my king, he would not in mine age Have left me naked to mine enemies.

If I had devoted as much effort to serving God as I did to serving the king, I would not now be abandoned and vulnerable to my enemies.

_Wolsey reflects on his misplaced priorities, lamenting his excessive devotion to the king over God._

> Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition: By that sin fell the angels; how can man, then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by it?

Cromwell, I command you to reject ambition, because even angels fell from heaven due to that sin; how can humans, made in God's image, expect to succeed through it?

_Wolsey warns Cromwell against ambition, using the fall of the angels as a cautionary example._

> Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's, and truth's; then if thou fall'st, O Cromwell, Thou fall'st a blessed martyr!

Let all your goals be for your country, God, and truth; if you then fall, you will fall as a blessed martyr.

_Wolsey advises Cromwell to pursue noble and selfless aims, ensuring a virtuous legacy even in failure._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters