Everyone in A Man For All Seasons is Pursuing Their Own Ends. What Makes More
Different?
Often, it is impossible to reach our goals without resorting to some sort of pragmatism. In A Man For All Seasons every character has their own ends to meet, and the only distinguishable feature between them is how they go about it. Some characters disregard all sense of morality as they plunge into a approach which primarily encompasses self-interest. In all, most of the characters in the play personify selfishness in one way or another. Of course there are some whose selfishness is more noticeable than others, however at some point they are all deficient in their consideration of others and live chiefly for personal profit.
All, except for one. Sir Thomas More is a man who subconsciously is a slave to his conscience. He executes selfless acts in order to do what he knows is legal, and what he thinks is right. He is one of very few people who have died with their integrity intact. He is a special man, who is steadfast in upholding his principles, even when death breathes down his neck. Sir Thomas More truly is a paragon. One character in the play particularly concerned with his goals, regardless of the path he must take to reach them is Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell is the personification of pragmatism and is willing to do anything, providing the end sees him satisfied. "…our job as administrators is to make it as convenient as we can," Cromwell states in reference to the King's divorce and the pursuit of
More's support. He is "…the King's ear," and is thus responsible for all the menial tasks which the King would otherwise have to perform, including seeing to it that Sir Thomas More either agrees to give the King his support or is punished. One of these duties is to spy on others for the King's benefit. One instance of this is on the night More goes to visit cardinal Wolsey, Cromwell ‘ magically' appears as More is on his way home. He asks of More, "You left him…in his laughing mood, I hope?" This was Cromwell's method of establishing whether the divorce had been discussed between More and the Cardinal that evening. For if it was, there was no way the Cardinal could be in any sort of "…laughing mood." One thing Cromwell fails to realise is that by doing his job for the King and arranging More's death, he, "…plants my own.&quo...
... middle of paper ...
...to his King, his religion and to his conscience. More knows that the law is his safety and he candidly tells
Roper that in the "thickets" of the legal system he is "a forester." More knows that if all the laws were to be "cut down," even he would not be safe from the
Devil himself. More can appreciate that Man's law nor God's law is enough to uphold society but if both coexist, then both moral and civil justice can be carried out.
Ultimately, More is a human being, just like Cromwell, Rich and The Common Man.
He makes mistakes and he knows, "…I'm not God." However what he does know is that he is not willing to compromise the one thing he is not willing to let go of- his integrity. He will not resort to Rich and Cromwell's search for ‘ convenience" nor will he forgo his fundamental principles all for the sake of
"fellowship." For he tells Norfolk, "…when we stand before God…and I am damned for not doing according to mine [conscience], will you come with me, for fellowship?" For it is only a special man like More who can waive his life whilst selflessly saving the lives of others, all for the sake of his conscience.
m
Oliver Cromwell was a well known military dictator. He helped the Parliamentarians win the First Civil War and was named Lord Protector. He died in 1658 but many people still remember him as one of the best leaders in history although others believe he was a harsh tyrant and always wanted too much power for himself. Throughout the years, numerous historians have changed their views on whether he was a good leader or not. This work will look at three interpretations from different people on who Cromwell was and what he was like and compare them.
Reason to defend Sir Thomas More: More is just thinks that his private conscience is more important than his public duties and will do what he thinks is right, not what is convenient. This is not considered High Treason as More is not attempting to betray his country in any way.
Ambition seems to be in all men, and all men strive to fill their need for it.
Sir Thomas More was an English lawyer and best known as the councilor to King Henry VIII before he took the throne. More was married with children and a full on family man who also was active in his community. More held many different positions of great status in England and held himself to an equally high standard of judgment to always live out a life of great morality. Sir Thomas More’s fought to uphold the dignity and beliefs of the holy Church in a time of adversity and attack upon the Roman Catholic Church.
In the book, A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt there are a few people that can’t be trusted by Sir Thomas More, the main character in the book. Richard Rich is definitely one of those men who can’t be trusted and along with Thomas Cromwell the two destroy More’s life slowly but surely and to the point of death. In the end of the book More is executed for high treason and his family goes from being very well off to having to start over. So this book shows that through deceitfulness of two, one can fall.
his own life how he wishes, even if it will damage health or lead to
As one can well imagine, letting another act in one’s stead had a detrimental effect on the king’s power....
... himself because of the fact that he virtually caused all of his own suffering because of his selfish ambition and arrogance.
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
Racial Inequality is a topic in America that many people believe still exists, and many believe it’s simply an over-dramatized topic. Tim Wise, a notable person in the political world, gave a speech on his thoughts on racial inequality at Bloomsburg University (Wise, 2016). I strongly disagreed with the ideas he tried presenting to us students at Bloomsburg University. However, I kept an open mind despite feeling disturbed by his thoughts, and came out with new knowledge on the topic of racial inequality.
had repeatedly come close to death in the war and in surgery and believed that he would
does not realize it until he is driven mad by it. His aspirations at first look may
By More dying, he proved a point to himself and the public. That he was honorable and not going to succumb to the deceitful thinking of Cromwell and the King. “I have not disobeyed my sovereign. I truly believe no man in England is safer than myself.” (pg. 40)
Hermansen, Marcia K. “Two-Way Acculteration: Muslim Women in America Between Individual Choice (Liminality) and Community Affiliation (Communitas).” The Muslims of America. Ed. Yvonne Yazbeck Haddad. Oxford, NY: Oxford University Press, 1991. 188-201.