Sir Thomas More Utopia Analysis

In Thomas More’s Utopia, the author details the adventures of Sir Thomas More, Peter Giles, and Raphael Hythloday through Antwerp Belgium. While in service to King Henry VIII of England, Thomas More travels to Antwerp, Belgium where he encounters Peter Giles and Raphael Hythloday (who is a philosopher from the island of Utopia). Sir Thomas More happens to share the same name as the author of Utopia, and many of the characters share names and backstories with respective real life counterparts, like Peter Giles. After Sir Thomas More travels to Antwerp, he spends most of his time discussing intellectual subjects with his friend Peter Giles. After a period of time in Antwerp, Peter Giles introduces Sir Thomas More to Raphael Hythloday, an acquaintance

He was largely intolerant of Protestants, to the point where when King Henry VIII split with the Catholic Church to form the new Anglican Church in 1532, he regarded the split as blasphemous. When Anne Boleyn passed away, he refused to attend the funeral, resulting in him being marked for death. However, in Utopia, Raphael describes the religion of Utopia, where any religion was allowed, however most religions were pagan versions of Catholicism (similar rites, and devotion to one entity, whether it be the Sun, Moon, animals, and whatnot). Atheism is however, not tolerated in the society. It is considered disrespectful and immoral. The Utopians believed that if someone did not belief in an afterlife that is influenced by your actions on Earth, they would simply act for carnal pleasure and disregard any type of future situation. The treatment of women in both Utopia and Thomas More’s England are both similar. While women were still considered “inferior” to the point where women were not allowed to be laborers because they were considered less strong than men, they still managed to have as much social status as men (just look at Queen Elizabeth, who followed Henry VIII in lineage). In Utopia however, religiously women are expected to be sexual tools for men and when things go wrong they are expected to take the blame. This is also reminiscent of the

This is shown through his use of explaining the way religion, war, philosophy, slavery, education, and more in Utopia. Each of the ways that Sir Thomas More explains how these concepts work in Utopia are reflections of what he wishes for England, and are his take on “a perfect society.” While being subjected to a monopoly on religion, Sir Thomas More wants for a society with tolerance for different views. While living in a society that uses slaves and is a large component of the triangular trade, he wishes for one where slaves are frowned upon, and if necessary comprised of criminals who break big laws. Sir Thomas More lives in England, a country which tried to amass a large empire in the 16th century, and thus wishes for the country to be more peaceful. These views are shown in his perception of Utopia, and show how his time period and surroundings greatly influenced his