Varium Et Mutabile

VARIUM ET MUTABILE 

The story of Sir Thomas Wyatt and Anne Boleyn is indeed an incredible one. She was married to the King of England, Henry VII while he was also unhappily married. The two were caught up in an estranged affair which lead to the imprisonment of Wyatt and the execution of Boleyn. It is said that Wyatt then wrote many poems on this event of his life. Though Varium et Mutabile does not directly refer to Boleyn, there are many references to Wyatt’s thoughts on women. When a reader who knows about Wyatt and Boleyn’s affair reads this poem, he or she may sympathize with the hatred that Wyatt has portrayed against women. Otherwise, without any prior knowledge on the history of Wyatt, it is most difficult to sympathize with him. 

The first section of this poem describes “a debate” as being “So sharp, so sore, and of such rate...” (Wyatt lines 2-3). An intense analysis of the meaning of such a statement will bring one to the conclusion that what Wyatt is explaining is the most obvious, women win every argument. Though this is a very modern ideal, Wyatt, in the 1500s is stating this! Usually, a man who has been in love or is currently in love will make such a statement. Knowing Wyatt’s love history would allow readers to refer back to his affair with Boleyn. 

“From love to hate, and thence for to relent?” (Wyatt 9). The second section of Varium et Mutabile explains to us how Wyatt feels about women’s emotions. He describes them as being “cruel”. Only a man suffering from heartbreak would describe women with such a word. The would cruel refers to Wyatt’s heartbreak over Boleyn. Knowing Boleyn’s background, she was executed due to committing the sin of adultery with five men. Kanye West couldn’t have said it better, “..how could you be so heartless?”.  Readers who do not know the story of this couple would come across the line “...one heart so diverse a mind...” (Wyatt line 13) and be confused as to what Wyatt means. Since I am aware of the history, we realize that Wyatt is speaking of Boleyn’s affair with five other men and how she was able to switch her feelings on and off for men as quickly as how weather changes. 

Most women can be described as being manipulative. Manipulation brings with it, much deceit. A man who has been manipulated will often take his anger out on all other women and feel a form of hatred for such behavior. Wyatt describes such manipulation “..as chance on die?” (Wyatt line 18). The “die” refers to a pair of dice. As we know, a pair of dice often has to do with a game of chance. A game of chance is manipulative because you may think you will receive the number of dots that you want, however, you usually don’t, hence, manipulation. The poem goes on to say “Trust therefore first, and after preve...” (Wyatt line 28). Women manipulate their men into thinking that they are able to trust them and in return, are tricked into the exact opposite. Just as Anne Boleyn played with Wyatt’s emotions, making him feel like he was so special to her, she still affairs with a numerous amount of men. Wyatt clearly states why he believes women are so deceiving. 

The heartbreak that Wyatt suffered due to the actions of Anne Boleyn clearly impacts the tone and meaning of Varium et Mutabile. Wyatt states very hateful aspects of the nature of women. Clearly, he was acting based off of the woman he fell in love with and was hurt by. One needs to have knowledge about the tragedy Wyatt went through because of Boleyn to understand the true impact this poem has. This poem is a direct reflection of how Thomas Wyatt felt about women. 

WORKS CITED 

Wyatt, Thomas. Whoso list to Hunt. N.p.: Richard Harrier, 1815. Print.