In Henry VIII by William Shakespeare, Cardinal Wolsey suffers a sudden downfall from his position as the king’s advisor. He compares himself to wanton boys as well as the fallen angel Lucifer to describe his devastation. He also compares his situation itself to the “state of man,” which highlights the cruelty of nature. His devastation leads to anger and fury which emphasizes his true feelings of despair and hopelessness.
From the beginning of Wolsey’s response, he states “So farewell”, and repeats “farewell” three times. Each “farewell” describes a different level of frustration and agony. The first “farewell” shows Wolsey’s resentment. In the second “farewell?” Wolsey questions his sudden loss, and struggles to make sense of his dismissal. The final “farewell to all …show more content…
The repetition depicts his agony towards his situation and his realization that he will never return to his former position. He then describes his situation as “the state of man” by explaining that a man “puts forth the tender leaves of hopes,” which ultimately become a “killing frost.” Wolsey compares the state of man with nature, showing that the hope men have is natural. However, the “frost,” a natural phenomenon crushing hope, Wolsey expresses how devastations are inevitable. He has no control over his situation, and blames society for his loss. Pronouns like “he” make the metaphor universal and relatable for many. Wolsey then transitions into comparing himself with “little wanton boys” who swam in “a sea of glory”. The “wanton boys” expresses his younger self and when he was a oblivious boy who was unaware of the amount of power he was swimming in. However, is now in a pitiable position and is “weary and old with service”. Wolsey transitions into using “I” as the main
From the beginning of Wolsey’s response, he states “So farewell”, and repeats “farewell” three times. Each “farewell” describes a different level of frustration and agony. The first “farewell” shows Wolsey’s resentment. In the second “farewell?” Wolsey questions his sudden loss, and struggles to make sense of his dismissal. The final “farewell to all …show more content…
The repetition depicts his agony towards his situation and his realization that he will never return to his former position. He then describes his situation as “the state of man” by explaining that a man “puts forth the tender leaves of hopes,” which ultimately become a “killing frost.” Wolsey compares the state of man with nature, showing that the hope men have is natural. However, the “frost,” a natural phenomenon crushing hope, Wolsey expresses how devastations are inevitable. He has no control over his situation, and blames society for his loss. Pronouns like “he” make the metaphor universal and relatable for many. Wolsey then transitions into comparing himself with “little wanton boys” who swam in “a sea of glory”. The “wanton boys” expresses his younger self and when he was a oblivious boy who was unaware of the amount of power he was swimming in. However, is now in a pitiable position and is “weary and old with service”. Wolsey transitions into using “I” as the main