Henry VIII's Formation of the Church of England Influenced Shakespeare's Success by
             King Henry the Eighth's relaxed attitude towards church affairs, and mainly anything religious most certainly helped Shakespeare in his venture to become a famous playwright. King Henry VIII himself is guilty of several marriages, which was something that was very much looked down upon in the Middle Ages. Breaking off the strict rules of the Roman church to create the new English church could not have come at a better time for Shakespeare. The church theaters could be considered as the pioneer theaters, giving theaters to come such as The Globe, fame and many admirers. The theaters were Shakespeare's break into the world of playwriting. Shakespeare's name was made famous by his church plays, making it easier to have a full audience when the church stopped allowing plays and Shakespeare had to perform elsewhere.
             King Henry the Eighth married his brother's widow, Catherine of Aragon. Although the bible forbade a man to marry his brother's widow, the Pope granted dispensation, and the marriage was then allowed to continue. This marriage would not prove to be long lasting, however, and soon enough King Henry was beginning to like a woman in his Court Ladies. Her name was Anne Boleyn. As time grew by, Henry became intent on getting a divorce with Catherine, not only because he had liked Anne Boleyn so much, but also, he was never really too keen on the idea of marrying his brother's widow in the first place because he thought that Catherine would never bear a son because she was his brother's widow, even though he went along and did it anyway.
             The king asked the Pope to grant him a divorce. His request was denied. This left Henry VIII with no other choice than to separate himself from the Pope and begin the Church of England.
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