AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotes 1

AManForAllSeasonsSettingTheplayissetatthestartofthe16thCentury,duringthereignofKingHenrythe8th.Henryhadcometothethroneatayoungagewhenhisolderbrotherhaddied.ThePopegaveHenryaspecialdispensationtomarryCatherinehisdeadbrotherswife.However,aftermanyyearsCatherineisunabletobearamalechildanheirforHenry.ThereforeHenryseekstodivorceherandremarry.RunningparalleltothissetofeventswasanotherturningpointinhistoryTheReformation.SincetheinceptionofChristianitytheCatholicChurchhadbeentheonlyChristianChurch.CriticsoftheCatholicChurchfeltithadbecomecorrupt,itsbeliefssuperstitious,itschurchservicestooelaborate.Theywantedsomethingdifferent,simpler.ThevoicesofthesecriticsweregrowingstrongerthroughoutEuropeduringthereignofHenry.Inordertobeabletodivorcehiswife,HenrybrokefromtheCatholicChurchandestablishedTheChurchofEnglishwithhimselfatitshead.Thisactmeanthecouldnowgranthimselfadivorceandreformthechurch.Thispowerfulsettingofreligionandpoliticsallowstheplaywright,RobertBolt,toinvestigatehiskeythemeofconscience.Whatismoreimportantthereligionorthepolitics?NarrativeAct1:TheKingwantstogetdivorced.ThisisoneveryonesmindinAct1.MorebeginsAct1asamemberoftheKingsCouncilapanelofrepresentativesthatgivepolicyadvicetotheKing.SinceMoreisrenownedforhislearningandintegrity,hisopinionontheKingsdivorceismuchsoughtafterbutMoreisverydiscreet.CardinalWolsleyfailedtohelptheKinggethisdivorceandisexecuted.HalfwaythroughAct1MorebecomesLordChancellorthehighestofficeingovernment.HenryvisitsMoreathishomeandaskshimwhetherhewillsupporthisdivorce.MorerespondsthatonlythePopecangranthimadivorce.Henryleaves,sayingthathewillhaveNoopposition!tohisdivorce.TheActfinisheswithascenebetweenRichandCromwell.CromwellgivesRichthelucrativeroleofCollectorofRevenuesforYork,butburnsRichshandinthecandleattheveryend,angrythatRichbelievesthatThomasMorewontbeabletobefrightened.Act2:

2 AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotesAct2leapsforwardtwoyearsintime.ParliamenthaspassedtheActofSupremacystatingthattheKingistheSupremeHeadoftheChurchinEngland.WhenMorehearsthatTheChurchinConvocation(i.eagatheringoftheheadsofthechurchinEngland),havesubmittedtohis,heresignsfromhisroleasChancellor,sayingthisiswaragainsttheChurch!OnceMorehasmadethisdecisionCromwellbeginsmakingacaseagainstMoretoeitherdestroyhimor,preferably,accepttheauthorityoftheKingastheHeadoftheChurchinEngland.InitialpressureandinterrogationofMoremakeslittleimpact,andfinally,Moreisimprisoned.Ultimately,Richcommitsperjuryincourt,statingthatMorehadsaidtohim,parliamenthadnopowertopasstheActofSupremacy.ThisiswhatMoreactuallythinks,butwhichhehadbeenverycarefulnevertosaybecausehebelievedinsilencewouldbehissafety.Buttherewasnosafety.Heisexecutedbyhavinghisheadcutoff.TheCharactersThomasMore:CentraltoThomasMorescharacterisGodOnlyGodisloverightthroughandthatsmyself.NearlyeverycharacterintheplayputstheirowninterestsbeforetheinterestsofGod.MoredoesntbecauseGodsloveishisself.Hiscritics(almosteverycharacteratsomepointintheplay),seehismoralityasimpractical.ButforMore,hisconscienceisverypractical:WellIbelieve,whenstatesmenforsaketheirownprivateconscienceforthesakeoftheirpublicdutiestheyleadtheircountrybyashortroutetochaos.WhenheresignsasLordChancellor,hesamazedthatRopersuggests,Moralitysnotpractical.Itisverypractical,accordingtoMoreforinhimselfthereisalittlelittle,areawhereImustrulemyself.Thatishisconscienceitisimpossible,impracticaltoexistinapositionwherehecannotrulethispartofhimself,thushisresignationfrombeingLordChancellor:IwasnotabletocontinueImakenogestureImpractical.Heisjudgmental,ThomasMore.CromwellhedislikesexceedinglybecauseheresidesattheveryoppositeendofthemoralspectrumtoMore.Richhejudgestoo,heknowsfromthestartthatheisacharacterwhoismorallyweak,andheinsultshimattheendoftheplaywith:WhyRichard,itprofitsamannothingtogivehissoulforthewholeworldButforWales!Roperhiswouldbethenactualsoninlaw,isalsoasourceofirritationattimes.ThisisbecauseRoperscharacterisallbrazenmoralconvictionbutverylittleactualthought.Morerespectslearningandintelligence.Megishisfavouritebecauseofherwit.Cromwellsreasoninghefindsshoddy.MostofallhisintellectfindsrefugeintheLaw:ImnotGod.Thecurrentsandeddiesorrightandwrong,whichyoufindsuchplainsailing,Icantnavigate,Imnovoyager.Butinthethicketsofthelaw,ohthereImaforester.Hebelievesthathisintellectualprowess,hisunderstandingoftheLaw,willkeephimsafe:Idoubtiftheresamanalivewhocouldfollowmethere[inthethicketsofthelaw].However,ultimatelyheisnt

AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotes 3

practicalandheisnave,tothinkthattheLawwontbebendedfortheKingswilltobedone.TheCommonMan:TheCommonMantellsusatthestartofAct1that:TheSixteenthCenturyistheCenturyoftheCommonManLikealltheothercenturies.TheCommonManrepresentsusall,inthatheconsistentlyactsinhisowninterests,inthewaythatmostofuswould,ifweplayedhispart.Heisnotnobleorheroic,likeMore,butheiscertainlynotunethicaltothepointofbeingcriminal,likeCromwellandRich.Heissimplypracticaltothepointthatcommonsenseallows.Betteraliveratthanadeadlion,hesaysinAct2,andthattendstosummarisethecodehelivesby.TheCommonManisbothoutsideandinsidetheactionoftheplay.AsanoutsidecharacterheisTheCommonMan,providingacommentaryonevents,whichhelpsusunderstandthenarrative,butwhichisalsoputinaparticularperspectiveaccordingtohowthecommonmanonthestreetmayseeit.Asacharacterinsidetheactionoftheplay,hefulfilsanumberofincidentalrolessuchasMatthew,thesteward,TheBoatman,TheJailer,theForemanofTheJuryandfinallytheHeadsman.Thesearealltherolesofordinary,commonpeople,whoareincidentallytouchedbygreatevents,butwhoactinanordinaryway.AsTheCommonManheseesMoresfailuretosupporttheActofSupremacyas:hiswillfulindifferencetorealitieswhichwereobvioustoquiteordinarycontemporaries.Therealitybeingitsbettertobealiverat.Thisideaisemphasizedbythealternativeending,inwhichtheCommonManfinishestheplaybysaying:dontmaketroubleorifyoumustmaketrouble,makethesortoftroublethatsexpected.HowtheCommonManactsinhisvariousroleswithintheactionoftheplay,bearouthisphilosophyasTheCommonMan.AstheBoatmanhetriestogetMoretoaddafewcoinstothefare,complaining:Peopleseemtothinkboatsstayafloatontheirown,sir,buttheydont;theycostmoney.AstheSteward,heacceptspaymentfrombothCromwellandChapuysinexchangeforinformationaboutMore.Butheiscanny.HecarefulnottogetoutofhisdepthWhatIcantellthemscommonknowledge!Later,whenMoreresignsfromtheofficeofChancellor,hehasnosenseofloyaltytoMorethatmeanshewilltakeapaycutsimplybecauseofhismastersactions.Itwouldntbepractical.AstheJailerheiscarefultokeepstrictlytoordersandnotallowMoresfamilytovisithimformorethantheirallottedtime:Imaplainsimplemanandjustwanttokeepoutoftrouble.AstheHeadsmantheexecutionerTheCommonManhasthelastlineoftheplay:Beholdtheheadofatraitor!Cromwell:Cromwelldescribeshisroleas,WhentheKingwantssomethingdone,Idoit.Heisalawyerandambitious(successnoneofusgetsenoughofit).Clearlyhewantspower,andclearlyhedespisesthosewhobetterhim.Cromwellisa

4 AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotesbelieverinthetheoriesofMachiavelliaphilosopherwhoseworkThePrinceportrayedtheideathattheendjustifiesthemeans.SirThomasisaman,hesaysinAct1,whenchallengedbyChapuysthatMorewillnotchangehisopinionaboutthedivorce.Theimplicationbeingthatasamanhecanbebroken.Herelishesthischallenge.WhenRichtellshimyouwouldntfindhimeasytofrighten,CromwellsreactionisWhy,thenheneverputhishandinacandleDidhe?HepromptlyseizesRichshandandholdsitinthecandle.Thestagedirectionreadsafterwards:Cromwellsdownturnedfaceisamazed.Triumphantly.HeofcourseintendsonholdingMoreshandtotheflameinbothaveryphysical(hewantstotortureMoreinAct2butHenrywontallowit)andsymbolicway.Rich:RichtellsMoreatthestartoftheplay,Buteverymanhashisprice.HehasbeenreadingThePrincebyMachiavelliatthesuggestionofCromwell.Ofallthecharactersintheplay,Richsisthemostmorallyweak,andthestatement,everymanhashispriceismosttrueofhim.LikeCromwell,Richisambitious,buthehasnotCromwellspracticaltalentsorfortitude,andseemsinparttobemotivatedmorebythetrappingsofsuccessratherthansuccessitself.AppearancesareimportantforRich.MoreoriginallyrecommendsRichtobeateacher,counselinghimthatAmanshouldgowherehewontbetempted.MoreevengoessofarastosaythatRichcouldbeafineteacher:AndifIwaswhowouldknowit?Richreplies.Affirmationisimportanttohim.HeiskeentoknowwhethertherelationshiphehaswithMoreisfriendshipandwhethertheonewithCromwellisaswell.Later,inAct2,hevisitsMoreshouseandisdeeplysensitivetowhathereadsasthedisapprovalofthosearoundhim:IsensethatIamnotwelcomehere!DespitehisweaknessRichflourishesbytheendoftheplay.WhenMorefirstgavehimthegoblettosellinAct1,RichsaidhewouldsellitandbuysomegownsasniceasSirThomass.BytheendofAct2,whenhehasbeenappointedAttorneyGeneralforWalesinexchangefortestimonythatMoredeniedtheActofSupremacyheisnowsplendidlyofficial,indressandbearing;evenNorfolkisabitimpressed.Thecorruptionofmaterialismiscomplete.Norfolk:TherelationshipbetweenNorfolkandMoreinAManForAllSeasonsisoneofgenuinefriendship.MorethananythingelseSirThomasismovedbyNorfolkspleatowardstheendofAct2:CantyoudowhatIdid,andcomewithus,forfellowship?ByhisownadmissionNorfolkisnoscholar.Heisinterestedinthepastimesofthearistocracyhuntinganddogbreeding.HeeasilyfollowstheKingintheActofSupremacy,seeingitasthenaturalthingtodo.SirThomasdecisiontostandonprinciple,heseesasthebehaviourofacrankYourenotbehavinglikeagentlemanAlice:LadyAlicewasMoressecondwife.Shecouldntread,cametoadifferentsocialbackgroundtoMore,butwasproudtobehiswife.Sheisapracticalwomanwho

AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotes 5

cantunderstandwhyherhusbandwouldthroweverythingawayforthesakeofprinciplesIsthiswisdomtobetrayyourability,abandonpractice,forgetyourstationandyourdutytoyourkinandbehavelikeaprintedbook!ThefinalmeetingbetweenAliceandMoreseemsdestinedtobeoverwhelmedbyAlicesbitternessatwhathashappened.Yourdeathsnogoodtome!shesays.Thoughfinallysherelents,tellingmorethatwhileshedoesnotunderstandwhyheisdoingwhatheisdoing,IunderstandthatyourethebestmanIvemetoramlikelyto.Margaret:MargaretisSirThomasdaughterfromapreviousmarriage.Sheisintelligent.HerLatinisdescribedasbetterthanHenryswhentheymeet.ItisMargaretwhohelpsThomasremovethechainofChancellorfromaroundhisneckwhennooneelsewould.Sheisdutifuldaughterwhotriestoreasonwithherfathertotheend:Saythewordsoftheoathandinyourheartthinkotherwise.Henry:Henryisaselfinterestedcharacter.WhenhefirstmeetsMargaret,andsheprovesabetterLatinscholarthanhimself,heisnotaltogetherpleased.Heturnstheconversation,tellingherIdancesuperlatively.InawayheislikeRichscharacter,heisdefensiveaboutwhatheperceiveshisweaknessareandneedsaffirmationapprovalforhisposition.Moresapprovalhedearlycravesbecauseyouarehonest.Whatsmoretothepurpose,youreknowntobehonestHespeaksaboutthedivorceastheonethingthatmattered.Wolseysfailuretogainhimthisdivorcewasevidenceforhimofvillainy.AndhiswordstoThomasarethatonthismatterofdivorcehewillhaveNoopposition!ItbecomesCromwellstask,then,tofindtheapprovalthatHenrywantsfromMoreTheKingsamanofconscienceandhewantseitherSirThomasMoretoblessthemarriageorSirThomasMoredestroyed.WeneverseeHenryagainapartfromtheonescencetowardstheendofAct1buttheconsequencesofhisdesiretoremarryareeverywhere,drivingtheplayontowardsitsend:WhileMoresalivetheKingsconsciencebreaksintrofreshstinkingflowerseverytimehegetsfrombed.ThemesConscience:Conscienceistheprimarythemeoftheplay.ThecomplicationoftheplayMoresrefusaltoapprovetheKingsdivorceandremarriagecomesitselffromasocalledactofconscience.Henryclaims:Godhaspunishedme;IhavenosonItismyboundendutytoputawaytheQueenSohesays,anyway.TherealcomplicationistheentryofSirThomasconsciencefromtheprivatesphereintothepublicsphere.AsWolseyfirsttellshim(yourconscienceisyourownaffair),thenlaterHenry(yourconscienceisyourownaffair),aconscienceisallwellandgood,butithasnoparttoplayinpoliticalaffairs.Cromwelldefines

6 AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotesthekeyprincipleofpoliticaladministrativelifewhenhesays:thenormalaimofadministrationistokeepsteadythisfactorofconvenienceNormallywhenamanwantstochangehiswoman,youlethimifitsconvenientandpreventhimifitsnotButtheconstantfactoristhiselementofconvenience.Moresconscienceisdecidedlyinconvenientandheknowsit,tellingtheKing(pointingathisarm)Takeyourdaggerandsawitfrommyshoulder,andIwilllaughandbethankful,ifbythatmeansIcancomewithYourGracewithaclearconscience.Moredoesnotseethedivisionbetweenprivateconscienceandpublicoffice,nordoeshenecessarilyseethatactsofconscienceareimpracticalIwasnotabletocontinueImakenogestureImpractical,hesayswhenheresignsfrombeingLordChancellor.AspracticalasMoremaythinkheisbeing,itisnotpracticalinthewaytheworldaroundhimperceivesittobe(suchasChapuysandCromwellwhoendtheplayarmslinkedmenwhoknowwhattheworldisandhowtobecomfortableinit)andhiswillfulindifferencetorealitieswhichwereobvioustoquiteordinarycontemporariesendinhisexecution.Loyalty&Friendship:TherearedifferenttypesofloyaltiesandfriendshipinAManForAllSeasons.ThereisthetypeoffriendshipthatRichwants,whichisreallynotaboutfriendshipthemutualexchangeofaffectionbutbeingafriend(AfriendofSirThomasandstillnooffice?)therecipientofgifts.RichbecomesCromwellsfriendandfindshisladdertosuccess.ButthenthereisthatgenuineformoffriendshipsuchasexistsbetweenMoreandNorfolk.ButforMore,thisfriendshipismutable.Ultimately,forMore,OnlyGodisloverightthrough,andthehigherloyaltymustbetoGod,notfriends.ThereisalsoloyaltytoyourKing.AsHenryhimselfsaysaboutthisloyalty:TherearethoselikeNorfolkwhofollowmebecauseIwearthecrown,andtherearethoselikeMasterCromwellwhofollowmebecausetheyarejackalswithsharpteethandIamtheirlion,andthereisamassthatfollowsmebecauseitfollowsanythingthatmovesMoretrieshishardesttofollowHenrybecausehewearsthecrownbutintheendhishigherloyaltyistoGod.Hestatesbeforethecourtafterhehasbeenfoundguiltyoftreasons,thattheActofSupremacyisdirectlyrepugnanttotheLawofGod.Power&Corruption:PowercorruptsinAManForAllSeasons.Everypersonofpowerintheplayiscorruptedinsomeform.CardinalWolseyisnolongeramanofGod,butapoliticianwhowantstogoabouthisbusinesswithoutthemoralsquintorSirThomas.KingHenryismotivatedbythefulfillmentofhisowndesires,ratherthananythingselfless.Cromwellisdrivenbysuccess(noneofusgetsenoughofit)andRichfollowshimbecauseeverymanhashisprice.EvenNorfolk,Moresfriend,iscorruptedbybeinginpower,doingintheendwhatisconvenient,notwhatisright.SirThomasistheonlycharacternotcorruptedbypower.Quotes

AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotes 7

Commonman:TheSixteenthCenturyistheCenturyoftheCommonManLikealltheothercenturies.Rich:Buteverymanhashisprice.Rich:Work!WaitingsworkwhenyouwaitasIwait,hard!Rich:AfriendofSirThomasandstillnooffice?Theremustbesomethingwrongwithhim.More:Amanshouldgowherehewontbetempted.More:Whynotateacher?Youdbeafineteacher.Perhaps,agreatone.Rich:AndifIwaswhowouldknowit?More:You,yourpupils,yourfriends,God.Rich:SirThomas,ifonlyyouknewhowmuch,muchratherIdyoursthanthis!More:No,Idontrecommendhim;butIpointhimout.Steward:ThatonellcometonothingSteward:somedaysomeonesgoingtoaskhimforsomethingthathewantstokeep;andhellbeoutofpractice.Theremustbesomethingthathewantstokeep.ThatsonlyCommonSense.Wolsey:Ifyoucouldjustseefactsflaton,withoutthatmoralsquint;withjustalittlecommonsense,youcouldhavebeenastatesman.Wolsey:ButinadditiontoPrayerthereisEffort.Wolsey:Oh,yourconscienceisyourownaffair;butyoureastatesman!Wolsey:NowexplainhowyouasCouncillorofEnglandcanobstructthosemeasuresforthesakeofyourown,privateconscience.More:WellIbelieve,whenstatesmenforsaketheirownprivateconscienceforthesakeoftheirpublicdutiestheyleadtheircountrybyashortroutetochaos.Wolsey:Youdlikethat,wouldntyou?Togovernthecountrybyprayers?Wolsey:Thencomedowntoearth.Boatman:Peopleseemtothinkboatsstayafloatontheirown,sir,buttheydont;theycostmoney.CommonMan:Butfromhiswillfulindifferencetorealitieswhichobvioustoquiteordinarycontemporaries,itseemsalltooprobablethathehadit.

8 AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotesCromwell:WhentheKingwantssomethingdone,Idoit.Cromwell:SirThomasisaman.Steward:No,indeed,sir;Iserveone.More:TheserviceofGodisnotadishonourtoanyoffice.More:Takeyourdaggerandsawitfrommyshoulder,andIwilllaughandbethankful,ifbythatmeansIcancomewithYourGracewithaclearconscience.Henry:Howisitthatyoucannotsee?Everyoneelsedoes.Henry:Becauseyouarehonest.Whatsmoretothepurpose,youreknowntobehonest.Henry:Yourconscienceisyourownaffair;butyouaremyChancellor!More:Icouldntfindtheotherway.Alice:Iammindingmyhouse.Alice:Beruled!Ifyouwontrulehim,beruled!More:Buttheresalittlelittle,areawhereImustrulemyself.Rich:IsensethatIamnotwelcomehere!Rich:Imadrift.Helpme.More:ImnotGod.Thecurrentsandeddiesorrightandwrong,whichyoufindsuchplainsailing,Icantnavigate,Imnovoyager.Butinthethicketsofthelaw,ohthereImaforester.Rich:ItwoulddependwhatIwasoffered.Rich:Imlamenting.Ivelostmyinnocence.Rich:Youenjoyedthat.Alice:Isthiswisdomtobetrayyourability,abandonpractice,forgetyourstationandyourdutytoyourkinandbehavelikeaprintedbook!More:IwasnotabletocontinueImakenogestureImpractical.More:Moralitysnotpractical.

AManForAllSeasonsStudyNotes 9

Steward:Nooo.Youneverhadmuchtimeforme,sir.Youseethroughmesir,Iknowthat.Chapuys:IfhesopposedtoCromwell,hesforus.Theresnothirdalternative.Cromwell:Brought?Youbroughtyourselftowhereyoustandnow.Cromwell:Theresamanwhoraisesagaleandwontcomeoutofharbour.Norfolk:Givein.More:Ourfriendshipismoremutablethanthat.More:OnlyGodisloverightthrough,Howard;andthatsmyself.CommonMan:Betteraliveratthanadeadlion.Norfolk:CantyoudowhatIdid,andcomewithus,forfellowship?More:AndwhenwestandbeforeGod,andyouaresenttoParadisefordoingaccordingtoyourconscience,andIamdamnedfornotdoingaccordingtomine,willyoucomewithme,forfellowship?More:Whenamantakesanoath,Meg,hesholdinghisownselfinhisownhands.Jailer:Imaplainsimplemanandjustwanttokeepoutoftrouble.More:Ingoodfaith,Rich,Iamsorrierforyourperjurythanmyperil.Cromwellraiseshisheadandessaysasmile.Chapuysresponds.Theylinkarmsandapproachthestairs.Astheygowehearthattheyarechuckling.Thereisnothingsinisterormalignantinthesound;ratheritisselfmocking,selfindulgent,ratherruefullaughterormenwhoknowwhattheworldisandhowtobecomfortableinit.