History of King Henry the Eighth Author:William Shakespeare General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1899 Original Publisher: American Book Co. Subjects: Drama / Shakespeare Literary Criticism / Shakespeare Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of t... more »his book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: GREAT SEAL, CARDINAL'S HAT, ETC. THE PROLOGUE. Dr. Johnson expressed the opinion that the Prologue and the Epilogue of this play were not written by Shakespeare, and the majority of the recent editors agree with him. D. says that, " whoever wrote them, they are manifestly not by Shakespeare." W. remarks that there can hardly be a doubt on this point " in the mind of any reader who has truly appreciated the poet's style or his cast of thought." K., on the other hand, considers that " the prologue is a complete exposition of the idea of the drama," and that it is unquestionably Shakespeare's. See the quotation from K., p. 38 above. See also Temp. p. 145. Some of the critics have suggested that the Prologue may be Ben Jonson's. 3. Sad, high, and working. " Of a lofty character, and of stirring interest." St. reads " Sad and high-working." 9. May here find truth. On the repetition of the words true and truth in the prologue, and their possible connection with the original title of the play, see p. 10 above. 16. In a long motley coat. Alluding to Aefaols of the old plays and their professional costume. See M. of V. p. 142 (note on Patch), and Temp. p. 131 (note on Pied ninny). Guarded. Trimmed. See M. of V. p. 140. 20. Opinion. Reputation. Cf. I Hen. IV. v. 4. 48: "Thou hast re- deem'd thy lost opinion." Or, as H. suggests, it may refer to the title All is Tnii, " which would naturally beget an opinion or expectation of truth in what was to be shown ; which opinion or expectation would be forfeite...« less