Having calmed down a little after yesterday's debate on the main site, I still have to say that all theses shows just make my toes curl with embarrassment whenever I see them – I can't help it! It all just looks like modern people and modern preoccupations played out in fancy dress – like Coronation Street or Eastenders in tights. And yes, I do feel we should have a little regard for these people, who were flesh and blood after all and often suffered terribly. The real interest surely is in trying to learn and comprehend the REAL people themselves, what made them the way they were. What made them think the way they did. That is already so incredibly interesting – more than a life-time's study.

Having said that, I do love good drama and fiction. I love Shakespeare, and I love some of our great novelists, past and present. But these allow us to use our imaginations, and – at their best – do get beneath the surface and examine the psychology and spiritual beliefs of the characters themselves. I find this terribly lacking in shows like the Tudors

Maybe I should just lighten up and enjoy them for what they are – entertainment. They certainly can be stunning visually. But once they dialogue begins … whoops! up go the toes again, all curlly and embarrassed.

 So many people have misconceptions about Anne, Henry and Elizabeth when I talk to them and it is soooo frustating!! I ask them where they got some of their info and it is always some tv show or movie. If the plots were true to life than so many people could be educated in what actually happened and appriciate the era for what it truly was.

I can totally get this statement.  People form these perceptions about these people that's masked behind good costumes and it always seems that there is something missing from the portrayal of people in history like the Tudors.  I feel that there were much deeper elements woven into these historical figure's personal personality, that isn't addressed in portrayals of them.  Alot of misconsceptions continue to this day, being easily perpetuated by shows and movies even while being disproven by archeology and modern studies. 

I'm admittedly a hypocrite on this subject, because while I adore The Tudors (shrug off the inaccuracies) I absolutely despite The Other Boleyn Girl.  With the latter, I think it is worse because it's so popular – both book and movie. I suppose I am overly sensitive because I am 'protective' of Anne, and it infuriates me to think of how she was portrayed, and how Mary Boleyn was painted as so angelic.  I've had countless discussions with friends and relatives who have read or seen TOBG, and they all have the same response – \”Anne Boleyn was a horrible person!\”.  Unfortunately for them, this subjects them to my tirade.

Another example – I'm also a fairly new fan of the BBC's Merlin, which has taken creative licenses with Arthurian Legend.  Again, in this case, I really enjoy it because it is a new interpretation with a modern twist – much like The Tudors.  IMO that is different from near character assassination, like TOBG. 

But who to blame?  The creators of these works for making changes, or the people who read/watch and not fully realize what is FICTION in historical fiction?  I don't know.  IF this could work to make people curious and then go look for true information, that's good.  But too many people assume it is true.  Frustrating!   And makes this site all the more important. 🙂