Hilary Mantel’s representation of Cromwell’s identity in Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies

Details

Supervisors

Latre, Guido

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en langues et lettres modernes, orientation germaniques

Abstract

enIn writing this master dissertation, my aim is to discuss Hilary Mantel’s representation of Thomas Cromwell in Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. Using real historical events, Hilary Mantel managed to render Cromwell “tolerant, passionate, intellectually inquisitive, humane” (Benfey 2009). My study strives to highlight the complex personality of Thomas Cromwell. From the beginning of his life onwards Thomas Cromwell had to fashion his identity in an unstable family environment, lacking essential reference points. Afterwards, acquiring both political knowledge and artistic insight Mantel’s Cromwell became the powerful Master Secretary.