Wolsey sits with his elbows on his desk, his fingers…
““Wolsey sits with his elbows on his desk, his fingers dabbing his closed lids. He takes a great breath, and begins to talk: he begins to talk about England. You can’t know Albion, he says, unless you can go back before Albion was thought of. You must go back before Caesar’s legions, to the days when the bones of giant animals and men lay on the ground where one day London would be built. You must go back to the New Troy, the New Jerusalem, and the sins and crimes of the kings who rode under the tattered banners of Arthur and who married women who came out of the sea or hatched out of eggs, women with scales and fins and feathers; beside which, he says, the match with Anne looks less unusual. These are old stories, he says, but some people, let us remember, do believe them.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Understanding a nation's identity requires tracing its deep mythic and historical roots, beyond recorded history, to ancient narratives and legends.
In simple terms: Know a country by exploring its ancient myths and early history.
Key Takeaway
Explore deep history to grasp cultural identity.
Themes
history
myth
identity
culture
politics
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- historical analysis
- cultural education
- policy making
- tourism development
Key Concepts
collective memory
mythic origins
national narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How do ancient myths shape modern national identity?
- What risks arise from interpreting history through legend?
A Different Perspective
Myths may be symbolic, not literal, limiting factual accuracy.