Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Cranmer

Cranmer doesn't show up until halfway through the play, but once he does, there's no turning back. Wolsey's style of "mentoring" was pretty much to make decisions behind Henry's back, but Cranmer, on the other hand, seems to actually care about the king. It's clear that Henry trusts Cranmer and wants him around, even when Wolsey is running the show.

But we also get the sense that Cranmer is a vulnerable guy. He doesn't seem to be aware that Gardiner is smack-talking him all over town, or that the council is not messing when it bring charges against him. As mentors go, though, Cranmer's a good guy to keep around: he's calm, honorable, and he practices what he preaches.