Intrigue

Intrigue is a major and dominant theme in the novel "Bring up the Bodies" by Hilary Mantel. Intrigue includes mystery, deception, rumors and rumor spreading, plotting, forbidden romances, and the like. Intrigue is found throughout the entirety of the novel, in various forms, and in various ways. Intrigue can be found mainly about three specific individuals: Anne Boleyn, King Henry, and Thomas Cromwell.

The intrigue that surrounds Anne Boleyn has to do with her existence and position as queen, and the rumors circulating about her. While still married, Anne compelled Henry to abandon Katherine to remarry, defying even the Pope in Rome to do so. This illicit romance, and the following marriage, produces only a daughter, and no male heirs. In order to produce a male heir, Anne conducts numerous illicit affairs with every man she can in order to increase her chances of pregnancy. Indeed, she blames...