Sir Thomas More: A Discussion Paper
Nick Kotzman
This discussion paper focuses on the character of Sir Thomas More in the play A Man For All Seasons, written by Robert Bolt in 1960. This paper will explore the character of More: his religion, his occupation, his conscience and the way in which they are brought into conflict. It is these aspects of More’s character that ultimately lead to his demise and thereby offers a moral message for the reader.
Thomas More’s religion is the core influence on his decisions he makes throughout the play. It is More’s Catholic views that hold him back from approving King Henry’s plans to divorce Catherine, in order to marry Anne Boleyn. We gain a sense of the strength of More’s faith when he states to Norfolk that ‘the service of God is not a dishonour to any office’. More is trying to explain that being a pious religious man does not conflict with working as one of the King’s senior advisors. More’s refusal of Roper’s plans to marry Margaret is another decision, purely influenced by More’s religion. He insists that as long as Roper is Lutheran, or a ‘heretic’, he will not be allowed to marry his daughter. However the major issue that More has with his religious beliefs is the controversial approval of divorce. More’s stance is aligned with an interpretation of the Bible that prohibits marriage to the widow of one’s brother. This deeply-held theological belief comes into conflict with his duties as a statesman.
