The Tudors: the Psyche of a 16th Century Monarch

                The Tudors is a show that can very easily illustrate what is wrong with modern TV. It's sexing up of the life of King Henry VIII is seen in one of two ways. The first, why should the show even exist? It's historical inaccuracies are numerous and its  portrayal of sex and love is ridiculous. The second, the show brings history to life in interesting and thought-provoking ways. And if the sex is what brings people in, the history is what will keep them.

                I fall in line more with the second viewpoint. That isn't to say that the show's  portrayal of sex is indeed  juvenile and mostly unneeded. The show's creator Michael Hirst has even suggested as much. The sex is a way to bring in viewers, it is a sad but true fact that sex sells. That does not mean that Hirst does not use it to   explore every possible inch of Henry VIII psyche.

                That is where the Tudors shines. In some ways the show could care less about life in the  16th century. The shows real passion is its exploration of what it means to be a monarch in the 16th century and how that would affect your mind. Think about it, if you are told from the day you were born that you are God's right-hand on earth your perception would be just a little skewed and self-centered. The show in essence lives inside a monarchs head, therefore every thought is driven by and extreme sense of ego and passion.

                As a consequence it doesn't really matter that the show has historical inaccuracies because it is all  seen through the eyes of a narcissist. Now that does not mean that the show does not focus on history. To the contrary the show's core is history and it remains that until  the end. Though as with most dramatic historical endeavors the first and foremost goal is to be entertaining which ultimately allows shows like the Tudors to explore history in a more vibrant way.

                Henry VIII isn't just a name in history or painting on a wall, he was and he is a real person. Brought to life with skill and passion by Jonathan Rhys Myers. Without Meyers at its core I believe the Tudors would have fallen apart. The show works because it gives voice to history and Meyers gives that voice it's mind. Every decision and every fault is believable because Meyers and by extension Henry believes it to the core of their being. Very few actors are able to reach that level of connection with their characters. Meyers is able to do that and more, bringing understanding and depth to a person that most think was a tyrant.

                The Tudors excels at gaining sympathy for its characters that's why the show works so well, because if one can sympathize then they can understand why a person would do what they do. Their actions may ultimately be despicable, however at that point the gap between history and the present has already been breached and the show has done its job.