Hans Holbein The Ambassadors Analysis

Hans Holbein became an important portraitist of wealthy society in Europe during his two visits to Europe. One of the portraits that he painted was The Ambassadors, which shows a dual portrait of Jean de Dinteville who was a French ambassador for England, on the left, and Geroges de Selve who was a French ambassador for several countries and a priest, on the right. The painting shows many characteristics that were painted there due to humanist influences. The picture represents how both of them were present at the court to discuss with Henry why he wanted to annul his marriage with Katharine of Aragon. Henry wanted to marry another woman named Anne Boleyn this would cause the separation of Church of England from the Catholic Church. There are many particular part of the painting that shows us how it is related to the renaissance humanism. To start with the painting has two individuals, which is an essential part of humanism. The Ottoman rug covering the table represents the division about to occur that will threaten Europe. The handled globe shows Rome lying in the center. Under the globe you will find a book of arithmetic that is held open by a triangle. It shows the division or disharmony between the Protestant and Catholics.

The relationship between Henry VIII’s desire for a male heir and the Dissolution Act was that Henry VIII wanted a boy for a son. Katherine of Aragon had not been able to produce a male heir. So he decided he needed to get rid of her so he can marry his next wife. Katherine was to old to have any more children

and he had fallen in love with Anne Boleyn. In that era a divorce could not occur. Henry VIII was a Roman Catholic and the Pope was the head of church that was in Rome. As a Roman Catholic when you marry someone it was until you die. Roman Catholic did not support divorce at all unless you were a widow. When you were a widow, then you could remarry whomever you wanted. Henry VIII was placed in a difficult position because he was the King of England if he stated he wanted to divorce his wife, the pope could excommunicate him. To excommunicate him meant that your soul would not go to Heaven. During that time, this was the worst thing that could happen to someone, the Catholic Church used this insured for people to do what was right and follow directions. Henry decided to make a special appeal to the pope granting him the divorce since he was king. The pope refused to grant Henry his divorce from Katherine of Aragon. Henry decided to take another road and ask the Archbishop for his divorce, and he said yes. Henry became the Supreme Head of the Church by an Act of Parliament. Henry knew that the monasteries where monks lived were very wealthy. He knew that they would support the pope and this was a threat to him. Henry started shutting down the monasteries in England. When he began shutting them down it was called the Dissolution. All of this happened because Henry VIII wanted to have a son to take his place when he was gone.

The Character of Dr.

Faustus by Christopher Marlowe is that he served the throne. He was stabbed in the eye in fight over a bar tab. The legend of Faustus is a relationship between illusion and reality, which was our inability to distinguish between the two. Elizabeth drama would also relate to the same character we were faced with a relation between illusion and reality, it always questioned what was really

real.