When Rich mentions the post of “The Collector of Revenues for York” shows he is interested in the post and knows that it is available. Cromwell is amused because from this point he knows he can use and manipulate Rich.
In the stage directions Bolt uses, Rich “nervously glances around”, this shows his reluctance to betray More so quickly, I also think he is still afraid and doesn’t want to be corrupted at this point.
Cromwell uses the words “repeat” and “report” which imply that Rich is going to have to tell Cromwell things that More has said or done. From this we come to the conclusion that Rich is easily persuaded, weak-willed and will do anything if the reward is high enough.
Through Cromwell’s repetition of “seriously” after Rich says that he wouldn’t “repeat or report” anything “said in friendship”, suggests that Cromwell believes that Rich doesn’t know himself very well and is making Rich face up to and analyse his own personality. At the beginning of the conversation, Rich truly believes that he wouldn’t betray a friend.
The stage direction “bitterly” implies that Rich is bitter about having to face up to his personality and the truth about himself. He may also be bitter about Cromwell having power over him and that Cromwell has destroyed the opinion that he had of himself.
The change in Rich’s demeanour at “gripping” is illuminating. Rich is trying to hide his feelings from Cromwell, trying to control himself and holding himself back. He needs to hold himself together in front of Cromwell.
The words “conscious cynicism” alert us to the fact that Rich still has a conscience, something that could stop him from becoming totally corrupt. I think that if he had paid attention to this feeling he may not have become corrupt.
When Bolt describes Rich as being “almost sure” that he has no beliefs, he is suggesting that Rich is not completely free of his conscience and is trying to hold onto something pure when he realizes his.
After Cromwell outlines the “administrative convenience” of helping Henry VIII to “change his woman”, Rich seems a bit gloomy. Maybe Rich is depressed at the thought of loosing his innocence and doing something horrible to someone who doesn’t deserve it, i.e. Thomas More.
Rich speaks about loosing his innocence, when he does so, his “buffoonery” is not too convincing. The significance of this attempted humour could be Rich trying to cover up his sadness over the betrayal of More, and making a light-hearted joke out of it because he doesn’t want to embarrass himself in front of Cromwell and also doesn’t want Cromwell to think he is reluctant to take the post of “Collector of Revenues for York”.
I think that Bolt is trying to portray an even worse side of Rich when Rich has a “sudden lift of spirits” after he realizes he lost his innocence some time ago. Rich is relieved because he realizes that he has always been like that and doesn’t want to be responsible for his own conscience.
Bolt shows Rich hesitating over Cromwell’s goblet questions because he needs to show that Rich still has reservations about betraying More, he still has an instinct to remain innocent and discreet and is worried about the consequences for More.
Bolt uses the words “ruefulness” and “unhappily”. This is significant because it shows that Rich was regretful and he was gradually realizing how he had betrayed More for so little. He is unhappy at the prospect of having to do similar things in the future.
When Cromwell speaks of intimidating More, Rich’s face is described as being “nasty” by Bolt and he insists that More is innocent because he still respects More and he still has his independence, he hasn’t been completely overtaken by More. He is also pointing out to Cromwell that what he’s doing is wrong.
Rich’s three exclamations; “You wouldn’t find him easy to frighten!” and “You’ve mistaken you’re man this time!” and “He doesn’t know how to be frightened!” express that he is feeling guilty and now trying to stick up for More, that he doesn’t like Cromwell very much. Also, that he is too outspoken, he hasn’t yet learned when to keep quiet.
The incident with the candle, when Cromwell burns Rich’s hand is significant because it shows that Rich is now scared of Cromwell and previously, in his experience, he hasn’t realized the lengths to which cruel people will go.
Altogether I find that Rich is easily led, easily bought and spineless. I think that it is ironic that Rich rose to be Chancellor himself, and after all he had done, he died peacefully in his bed.
