A Man For All Seasons (A man Cannot Serve Two Masters)
A Man For All Seasons (A man Cannot Serve Two Masters)A Man For All Seasons (A man Cannot Serve Two Masters)
Neither Thomas More or the Common Man are able to serve two masters
In the play A Man for All Seasons by Roger Bolt, The Spanish Ambassador Chapuys says to Steward, a role played by the common man, "No man can serve two masters�"(Bolt, 24). Within the play this statement is proven true for all the characters, especially for The Common Man and Sir Thomas More. The Common Man, shows himself time and again that he truly serves one master and that master is himself; whereas with More attempts to serve two masters. More attempt to serve King Henry of England, and God. By the end of the play it is shown that More cannot serve two masters despite all his efforts.
It is apparent within the play that the Common Man is serving himself as his only master and no one else. In the play it may seem that he is not a self-serving character due to the fact that he obeys what people tell him to do, for instance in his conversations with Cromwell, and Chapuys, they ask him for knowledge about his master, Sir Thomas More. Firstly Cromwell asks him information concerning More's attitude towards the King's divorce of his wife the Queen. The Common Man replies, "Sir, Sir Thomas doesn't talk about it�He doesn't talk about it to his wife, sir�Sir, he goes white when it's mentioned!" Cromwell (hands coin): All Right."(Bolt, 23.). Later with his conversation with Chapuys he is asked about More's spirituality, "Sir Thomas rises at six, sir, and prays for an hour and a half�During lent, sir he lived entirely on bread and water�He goes to twice a week, sir. Parish Priest. Dominican�"(Bolt, 24). Chapuys then replies to the Common Man, "Good, simple man. Here. (Gives coin. Going)�"(Bolt, 24). As you can see he does what he wants for himself and no other especially divulging information for money.
The Common Man also only holds loyalty unto himself and no other. At the first sign his needs will no longer be met to his satisfaction he leaves. For when More loses his job and no longer has an income, the Common Man collects his belongings and leaves, "Now, damn me isn't that them all over�I nearly fell for it�`Matthew, will you kindly take a cut in your wages?' `No, Sir Thomas I will not.'"(Bolt, 57).
The Common Man is a very sly person, and holds nothing back when it comes to him and a job. This is evident as he acquires a position with Richard Rich, another very self- serving person by easily manipulating him. Richard Rich had no inclination to hire the Common Man; he was manipulated so well that the Common Man gets a job, "Oh. Oh, I must...
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