It is a common trend to see a hero that outlives the story. However, Sir Thomas More in Robert Bolt’s “A Man for All Seasons” is a hero in so many ways but his character goes against the conventions of heroism. Thomas More is a member of the aristocracy during the reign of King Henry VIII. During this time, the king states that he would like to divorce his wife Catherine and remarry so that he would get a male heir. Sir Thomas More understands rather well that the Pope would not be willing to overturn the marriage but more decides to keep quiet about his opinions on the marriage. His silence and the rise in ranks puts him at loggerheads with several people in the palace who wish to do away with him. When the Pope refuses to allow the divorce, the king signs the Supremacy Act that leads to the formation of the Church of England and the king as the head of the church. More remains adamant on his opinions against divorce although he does not speak them out. The implication of his silence is that he is taken to jail and is finally beheaded on the presumption that he was against the king all along. However, before his execution, More speaks about the Supremacy Act and his disappointment in the government for killing a man for his silence. He, therefore, goes to his death in dignity. Throughout the story, Sir Thomas More presents himself as an unlikely hero. He is a hero whose character creates a backdrop for the entire plotline of the story.
More is presented as an individual of strong character. The character takes his stand and does not waiver despite the likely outcomes of his choices. “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” (1717). More is also aware of his imminent death that would come with not agreeing with the king and intelligently decides not to divulge his stand concerning the divorce that the king seeks. He is completely committed to his religious values that do not agree with the acts happening in the kingdom. For instance, he completely refuses to sign the Supremacy Act that makes the king the head of the Church of England as it would make him go against the religious beliefs that make the Pontiff the head of the church ordained by God. It is also prudent to note that his nature comes with intelligence. He is aware of the fact that the Pope is less likely to overturn the dispensation that allowed the king to marry Catherine the widow of his brother. He is also aware the Pope is, therefore, less likely to grant the divorce. While he keeps his silence on several matters it is quite obvious that the fact that he knows the implications of his opinions, he decides not to share his opinions and feelings with members of his family to protect them from having to testify against him in his trials. The implication of this aspect of his intelligence on his character indicates that he is a person whose trust is difficult to gain.
Sir Thomas More also presents himself as a person of honorable faith. He looks at the law in the same light and the same honor one would only accord his religion. He states that “The currents and eddies of right and wrong [...] I can't navigate. [...] But in the thickets of the law, oh, there I'm a forester. I doubt there's a man alive who could follow me there” (1690). In this statement he asserts that while he may not have the moral to state what is wrong for the state and what may be considered evil, his knowledge of the law surpasses his abidance to his faith. He also believes that no one else is more aware of the law than he is. It is prudent to note that he was a lawyer before he rose to the ranks of a chancellor.
As a person of faith, Sir Thomas More is not willing to give up his religious beliefs to be on the side of the king and Cromwell by giving in to their deceitful and selfish ways. This trait clearly exemplifies the fact that more was aware of the effects of the path he had chosen and was not ready to give up his religious ways to save his life. His belief in the Pope as the head of the church is the reason why he does not heed to the Supremacy Act signed to set up the church in England with the king as the head. It is also his conviction in faith that makes him not to swear the oath that implies that he believes in the king. Indeed, Thomas More dies in the belief that dying with his faith is a better deal than betraying his faith and living a lie. In this light he states that “I have not disobeyed my sovereign. I truly believe no man in England is safer than myself” (40). More believes in the safety that comes in honesty.
The death of Sir Thomas More underscores his character as a man of principle of moral fortitude. He juxtaposes his character with that of Cromwell and the king. As he dies, he takes the chance to question the authority and morality of the king and the aristocracy. He expresses his disapproval of the Supremacy Act and his questions the character of the king to kill a man for his silence. His last breath is used to show his disapproval in the system and exposes the king and his followers for lack of character. The implication is that he gained more in his death as illustrated in his last words “His will not refuse one who is so blithe to go” (99).
In conclusion, Sir Thomas More is an individual of moral fortitude and principle. He believes in the laws of the church as the Supreme laws that govern marriage. At the helm of religion is the Pope whose word governs the moral direction taken by Christians and the church. It is also prudent to note that as a Christian and lawyer, Thomas More asserts the convictions he has in both institution to direct the way things are done in England. However, he best characters become his own undoing that eventually lead to his death. In his death he exposes the weaknesses of the kingdom and the aristocracy and the fact that the leaders are not principled enough to assert power over the land. The undertakings clearly highlight that Sir Thomas More was a unique hero considering his unique ways of achieving the goals of critiquing the leadership and aristocracy and in death his concerns are well highlighted.
Work Cited
Bolt, Robert. A Man for all Seasons: A Play of Sir Thomas More. Heinemann, 1996.
