Similarities Between Henry And Anne Bosleyn

Henry and Anne both employed sex as a weapon, but in different means, as it’s power held different results for a man and a woman in the era in which they lived. Although the period was on the verge of “transforming into the Renaissance, papal dominance was giving way to Protestant independence, and feudalism was lurching towards capitalism,” women were still subjected to “dancing on the knife-edge of a transition that would not be kind to them” (Parramore). Anne’s ability to wield the tool of sex was relegated to her status as either an object of sex or a pious wife. Henry on the other hand, used sex as an excuse for his various marriages because it was a vehicle for a rightful male heir and proof of virility. In addition, he could brandish it as a stain on Anne Boleyn, an effective armament.

Anne “knew how to charm – and also how to think and act forcefully,” she played the game of luring Henry effectively and won the prize of his marriage (Parramore). Ironically, her weapon of seduction, was used against her when Henry tired of her and her inability to produce a male heir. Henry claimed, “Anne had seduced him into marrying her,” a charge which hinted at witchcraft and successfully turned her power into her demise (Lisle). Along with allegations of adultery, Henry set the stage to rid himself Anne Boleyn. Henry’s motivation is centered around his desire to produce a male heir, which Anne failed to do. Although Anne’s death is not pursued because of her inability to birth a son, Henry uses his need for a son, and therefore sex with a different partner, as an internal excuse for his actions. Anne Boleyn’s success as Henry’s wife was doomed, “when she miscarried in January 1536”