A good end
-
- May
- 23
As “The Tudors” (9 p.m. Sundays, Showtime) nears the finish of its second season, it’s getting better — more urgent dramatically as it is more accurate historically. What a surprise.
The truth is that the narrative thread in Anne Boleyn’s downfall is so strong, it practically writes and acts itself. Indeed, Boleyn is to Henry VIII what Doc Holiday is to Wyatt Earp — a supporting character who often eclipses the lead. Ergo, whoever plays Anne is sure to get her share of recognition.
Natalie Dormer gallantly rises to the occasion here, moving from a very natural fear to acceptance and courage.
The real Anne acted with grace and class, assuming responsibility for her actions and blaming no one for her downfall, not even the one person she could’ve — brutal hubby Henry. She even praises him. (No doubt Anne was thinking of her young daughter, the future Elizabeth I.)
But why not let the lady speak for herself? Here are her final words from the scaffold:
“Good Christian people, I am come hither to die, for according to the law, and by the law I am judged to die, and therefore I will speak nothing against it. I am come hither to accuse no man, nor to speak anything of that, whereof I am accused and condemned to die, but I pray God save the king and send him long to reign over you, for a gentler nor a more merciful prince was there never: and to me he was ever a good, a gentle and sovereign lord. And if any person will meddle of my cause, I require them to judge the best. And thus I take my leave of the world and of you all, and I heartily desire you all to pray for me. O Lord have mercy on me, to God I commend my soul.”
It was a good death.
This entry was posted
on Friday, May 23rd, 2008 at 5:01 pm by Georgette Gouveia.
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