A Man For All Seasons,by Rober
A Man For All Seasons,by RoberIn Robert Bolt's Play, A Man For All Seasons, we are presented with a historical character of inexorable integrity, Sir Thomas More. More is drawn unwillingly into a situation where he must choose between expediency or his principles. More's decision is consistant through out the entirety of the play as he remains intensely loyal to his conscience and is unable to abandon his religious beliefs, even if it ultimately means his own tragic demise. The entreaties of many are to no avail as More proves to be steadfast.
In the second scene of the play we see More meeting with Cardinal Wolsey. More's character is exemplified as Wolsey ask's More's opinion about a certain letter that is to be sent to the Pope regarding the validity of the King's marriage to Catherine. More compliments Wolsey on his phrasing and avoids the content of the dispatch directly, except to say that he feels the council should be informed before it goes to Italy, this response sparks Wolsey
to reply:
Would you tell the council? Yes, I believe you would. You're
a constant regret to me, Thomas. If you could just see facts
flat on, without that moral squint; with just a little common
sense, you could have been a statesman. (Bolt 10)
More's non-committal response to Wolsey's question is also characteristic of
his desire to be silent for the remainder of the play and, despite Wolsey's
continuing plea that he should ignore his "own, private, conscience" (Bolt 12)
for state reasons, More is unable to approve of the King's divorce.
As More and King Henry talk during the King's visit to Chelsea in scene
six, More is once again pressured on the matter of the Henry's divorce, now by
Henry himself. More states to Henry that he sees his own opinion so cleary
that he would choose "not to think of it at all" (Bolt 31). Henry is obviously
disturbed by this and upset with More when he responds: "Great God, Thomas, why do you hold out against me in the desire of my heart - the very wick of my heart?" (Bolt 31). More expresses to Henry that he wishes he could, in good conscience, agree with him and reminds Henry of the promise to not pressure for his support: "When I took the Great Seal your Majesty promised not to pursue me on this matter." (Bolt 31). This conversation with Henry clearly illustrates More's views on the subject and his disagreement with Henry's...
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