How Does Cardinal Wolsey Use Figurative Language In Henry Viii

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In the play Henry VIII by Shakespeare, Cardinal Wolsey is facing a great hardship: he just lost his position as advisor to the king. To hi, this position meant a great deal and now he does not know what else life has in store. He has lost the one thing that made him truly happy. Shakespeare uses these elements and a dismal tone to convey to the reader the intense shame and embarrassment that Wolsey feels. The use of diction and figurative language help the reader connect and really understand Cardinal Wolsey's complex web of emotions. The use of the word "farewell" depicts the idea of a closing door that will never be open again. His position was his passion and it was what he thrived on in his day-to-day life. By using an extended metaphor with nature, demonstrates that this was his source of life and hope. So when "the third day comes a frost, a killing frost. . . nips his root, and then he falls as I do" explains this was stripped away violently without warning. Even though he was on the verge of something great or …show more content…

This allusion is very strong because Satan was casted away forever when he was stripped of his title; this dark thought continues to haunt Cardinal Wolsey. It is an ironic allusion because a Cardinal is comparing himself to Lucifer, an "enemy" in the Bible. He realizes though that people of high nobility all share the same fear: losing their power and status. He even said that they have "more pangs and fears than wars or women have." This is a strong wording because it demonstrates that nothing can scare them more, leaving them very selfish. And the fact that they will "never to hope again" ends his soliloquy in a very depressing way. Cardinal Wolsey can never reach the success, friendship, or status again and he sees no purpose in his life anymore. Everything that was once good is not his to claim and life is moving on without

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