characterization in novels
Jun. 2nd, 2012 08:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
archersangeli've been reading a lot of historical fiction set in england during the tudor era & i've noticed a few things;
anne boleyn is portrayed as a scheming, greedy, cold bitch. or as a victim of her family's desire for power. sometimes a little of both.
the "other anne" anne of cleves is either slow-witted, fat, pock-marked, and dressed strangely. or was fair-looking, tall-ish, highly capable woman, who eventually adapted the customs of england. including clothes.
the other wives of henry VIII are usual portrayed more or less the same in everything i read;
catherine of aragon is a practically a candidate for sainthood. good, noble & pious. it's a toss-up on whether or not she consummated her first marriage with henry's late brother arthur.
jane seymour was weak, meek & frail. and was a pawn in her family's desire for power. apparently there was a big rivalry between the seymours & the boleyn/howard clan.
catherine howard seems to have been a bit of an air-head, who probably would've benefited from some attention, or at least discipline, in her step-grandmother's home.
catherine parr was a reluctant wife who did the best she could with the situation & just missed out on being arrested (and maybe eventually executed) because of her religious views.
anne boleyn is portrayed as a scheming, greedy, cold bitch. or as a victim of her family's desire for power. sometimes a little of both.
the "other anne" anne of cleves is either slow-witted, fat, pock-marked, and dressed strangely. or was fair-looking, tall-ish, highly capable woman, who eventually adapted the customs of england. including clothes.
the other wives of henry VIII are usual portrayed more or less the same in everything i read;
catherine of aragon is a practically a candidate for sainthood. good, noble & pious. it's a toss-up on whether or not she consummated her first marriage with henry's late brother arthur.
jane seymour was weak, meek & frail. and was a pawn in her family's desire for power. apparently there was a big rivalry between the seymours & the boleyn/howard clan.
catherine howard seems to have been a bit of an air-head, who probably would've benefited from some attention, or at least discipline, in her step-grandmother's home.
catherine parr was a reluctant wife who did the best she could with the situation & just missed out on being arrested (and maybe eventually executed) because of her religious views.
