A Man for All Seasons

read it in high school, so don't remember details that well. But it was interesting and good.

"What matters is not that it's true, but that I believe it; or no, not that I believe it, but that I believe it."

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is a dramatization of the tragic story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England. More was a brilliant man. During his time,

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he became the leading humanist scholar in England, occupied many governmental positions, and coined the word 'utopia' which he used in his famous novel of the same name. But he was also a staunch Catholic and is chiefly remembered for refusing to accept King Henry VIII as head of the church (rather than the Pope).

The book itself is a quick read and the political maneuverings are fascinating enough to hold one's attention. It was Bolt's most successful play and was widely popular when it was performed on London's West End and Broadway.

So, read it if you get a chance! Especially if you are interested in the history surrounding this time period.

"Norfolk: Look, I'm not a scholar, and frankly I don't know whether the marriage was lawful or not — but Thomas, look at these names! You know these men! Can't you do as I did and come along with us for fellowship?

More: And when we stand before God, and you are sent to Heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come along with me — for fellowship?"

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I saw Paul Scholfield (who just passed away this past week) in the film version of this when I was 10, the year it won the Academy Award for best film, and it had an extraordinary impression on me. Even after I lost my Christian faith I found More's story as presented in Bolt's play a great

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inspiration, and I read the play nearly every year.

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Though the play is fairly easy to read and the language can be understood by a high school student, some background information regarding the history of the Church of England and Catholism would be helpful in understanding the context of this play.

One of my most favorite plays. At one point, we even did a reading of this to celebrate my birthday, something I would consider doing again.

A Man for All Seasons is a fantastic historical narrative written by Robert Bolt. It tells the story of Sir Thomas More and his chancellorship under Henry VIII. Dealing with principles, morals, and corruption of the royal government, A Man for All Season is great for period studies, especially for

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History or English classes. English teachers will be impressed with the structure of the play and the great effort with which it was written, while History teachers will be particularly impressed with the historical accuracies. Even though it is a historical narrative, the major events are all factual and this play gives credence to the genre of historical narratives as effective and useful.

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Now this is one I'd love to see. The story of Sir Thomas More and his final conflict with King Henry VIII. More will not support the king's divorce from Catherine. But he will not denounce the king and flee the country either. He remains loyal to the king, but loyal to his conscience and his God

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most of all.

4 stars

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Just re-read this play. What a rich work! This should be required reading for anyone in office.

Read alone, over time. Read as part of a group in a single sitting. Have not seen performed. Really a political drama, not a religious one.

Summary: In all fairness I watched the movie instead of reading the play, but I believe the arts should be enjoyed the way they were intended. I have mixed feelings about Sir Thomas Moore. On the one hand his conviction to the right and his willingness to die for it is an inspiration to me. But,

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knowing his history and knowing the way he persecuted one of my heroes, William Tyndale makes me hesitant to condone him as some sort of saint. One thing that can be said is he stayed true to his convictions and nothing could sway him from them, we need examples like that in the wishy, washy morally destitute world that we live in today.
Quote: " I'd trust you with my life. But not your principles. You see, we speak of being anchored to our principles. But if the weather turns nasty you up with an anchor and let it down where there's less wind, and the fishing's better. And "Look," we say, "look, I'm anchored! To my principles!”

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I was moved to read this when a homilist at a lawyer's funeral referred to St. Thomas More and quoted from this work. Reading a play is the next best thing to seeing it.

The well known work about Sir Thomas More and his stance against Henry the VIII separating the Church of England from the Catholic church. Well written and intelligent, it provides a look at history through one particular viewpoint; for those who have seen or read Cromwell, comparing that work to

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this one can establish just how important point of view can be. This is a story of people locking heads in a battle in which neither one was right. Everyone claimed to be standing on principle; no one was willing to budge. Another instance where history reveals to us just how frail human civilizations can be.

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I used a quote from this play in my first academic publication. I first read this play in high school and I would enjoying seeing it performed. Sir Thomas More's integrity is admirable and appealing, yet I cannot help but think it is futile. Bolt captures many themes in a short play that is very

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clever. While More's lack of political "ability" seems outdated, former Prime Minister the late Gough Whitlam suffered the same fate by believing that the Governor General would follow convention and only act on the advice of the Prime Minister. More thought he cold keep his conscience and placate King Henry VIII. They were both wrong. Honourable, yet in the grand scheme of history, rather pointless. Better to be the Common Man and die in one's bed, methinks.

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For me, this play was a little bit dull and insipid. Overall, the narrative flows-- but there is nothing catching nor particularly interesting about the way the train of events is told.

Overall, disappointing and not recommended.

This country's planted thick with laws from coast to coast-man's laws, not God's-and if you cut them down-and you're just the man to do it-d'you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake.

Several years ago

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I did something stupid, not sure what. It is near certain that I knew at the time. My wife yelled at me. I deserved that, I'm sure of that in hindsight. I sat and read this in one go. It isn't historically accurate but it is compelling.

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The title reflects 20th century agnostic playwright Robert Bolt’s portrayal of More as the ultimate man of conscience. As one who remains true to himself and his beliefs under all circumstances and at all times, despite external pressure or influence, More represents "a man for all seasons." Bolt

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borrowed the title from Robert Whittington, a contemporary of More, who in 1520 wrote of him:
"More is a man of an angel's wit and singular learning. I know not his fellow. For where is the man of that gentleness, lowliness and affability? And, as time requireth, a man of marvelous mirth and pastimes, and sometime of as sad gravity. A man for all seasons."

The plot is based on the true story of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who refused to endorse King Henry VIII's wish to divorce his ageing wife Catherine of Aragon, who could not bear him a son, so that he could marry Anne Boleyn, the sister of his former mistress. The play portrays More as a man of principle, envied by rivals such as Thomas Cromwell and loved by the common people and by his family.
I read this with a local Great Books Group, but have also viewed both the stage play and the cinema adaptation. The portrayal of a man of conscience is what makes this one of my favorite works of drama.

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Somehow, in my mind I had confused this play with "Murder in the Cathedral". Both dramas about important advisers to English kings who met a bad end. So, apart from any other reason, I'm glad that i have at last sorted out that the are two very different plays and two very different kings and

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principle characters. It's actually a beautifully crafted play with great character development. Though, maybe Thomas More, comes across as just a bit too saintly for a real person. I think he captures Henry rather well ...bluff, sporty, well aware of the demand on him to produce an heir. And Thomas...more or less self made, clever, gentle, prepared to think the best of everybody, but not prepared to compromise on his religious beliefs. I found it rather fascinating that, given the turmoil around the catholic church and the role of the pope and the politics surrounding Charles of Spain that Thomas couldn't find it in himself to compromise. It certainly would have been easy to do and easy to justify. So I guess, he had just bought, holus-bolus, the story of Jesus giving the keys to the church to Peter and by succession to the current pope. (Despite the fact that there had been more than one pope simultaneously and the orthodox church had long done away with the authority of the pope).
As far as the bible is concerned, you could pretty much take whatever line you wanted to defend. Either Henry marrying Catherine or having the marriage annulled ......could be justified from biblical verses. What I found especially fascinating was that Thomas More was apparently held in such high respect that when Thomas asks Henry.."Then why does Your Grace need my poor support?" Henry replies: "Because you are honest. What's more to the purpose, you're known to be honest". Not a bad reputation to have.
And he can't say that he wasn't warned by Henry..that he (Henry) "would have no opposition".
Over all I found the play quite captivating and fascinating. A great exposé of those tumultuous times.....as Common Man explains....of those most involved in his trials: Cromwell was found guilty of high treason and executed, Norfolk found guilty of high treason but the king died of syphilis one day before he coud sign the death warrant, and Thomas Cranmer was burned alive. And, of course, Sir Thomas More was executed. (Not a great time to be close to the throne). Five stars from me.

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