Man For All Seasons By Robert Bolt - Is Henry VIII an important character in the play? Is he the villain?

Thomas Cromwell part played in the downfall of Thomas More was planning all the evidence and make sure he dies. Thomas Cromwell want Thomas More to come over to the king’s side, Thomas more did not come over to the king’s side so Thomas Cromwell said he had to get rid of him. But Thomas Cromwell and Duke of Norfolk are trying to get Thomas More killed, they are trying to find the person that gave Thomas More a cup for a bribe and they try to convict him of treason.

I think Henry VIII was Thomas More’s friend because Henry VIII did not want to put Thomas More on the rack. As we saw earlier in the Garden scene, Henry VIII has come to put pressure on Thomas More he wanted Thomas More to sort out the business with the divorce with Catherine of Aragon. He use a number of different techniques, first he tries to scare him by shouting at him but he also appeal’s to be a friend. Henry VIII said he was joking but we know he was bulling him. Henry VIII use originates from the bible but it does not work, because Thomas More knows the bible inside out. There is a scene in the video which is missing in the book, it’s when Henry VIII is having a party for his wedding and he sees Thomas More it is someone else. He was so happy that Thomas More came to his party but when he saw it was someone else he got sad, so we could see Henry VIII want Thomas More to come to his party and be his friend.

I think the real villain in this book was Richard Rich because it was impossible to get Thomas More in prison when Thomas Cromwell tried. Richard Rich lied to get Thomas More killed but Thomas Cromwell is the villain as well but Richard Rich is the biggest villain. The audiences enjoy the trial scene because it has suspense, and is also interesting. The king was not present at the trail. The scene at the end when Thomas More got executed was very sad and dramatic but not thrilling. I thought there will be blood but actual the beheading was not shown.

By Amandeep Singh Dhillon 10t                                                       25/01/03