A Man for All SeasonsBy Robert Bolt

Structure

The play is set in two acts: Act I deals with More in prosperity at the height of his career.▪ Throughout Act I , ominous undertones test

More’s integrity. Act II deals with More in adversity.▪ Dangers become overt and pressures upon

him mount. ▪ While his prosperity dwindles, his moral

nature grows until he makes his final stand.

Structure

Rich serves as a mirror image to More—his moral decline and fall matched by his material success. He reaches his nadir as the same moment as More’s highest moment and the cause of it. Ironically, More’s deliberate rejection of Rich’s services, however justified, has thrown Rich into the arms of Cromwell and caused him to become the instrument of More’s death.

The Common Man establishes the framework of the play and distances us from the action so that we can judge what is occurring.

He also draws us into the play by addressing us directly and involving us in his own comments on the action.

Act I

We meet More as a successful, beloved, and influential man surrounded by family and friends.

Rich’s presence establishes the theme of personal integrity, which dominates the play. (Note gift of cup.)

Dramatic irony points out the course the action is to take: “Impose suffering, and offer him – escape.”

We also learn of More’s attitude toward material prosperity.

The river is brought to our attention for the first time as a symbol of More’s spiritual loyalties beginning to be concentrated into the one channel of the Queen’s marriage.The second time is after More’s talk with Wolsey, his imminent fall and More’s possible Chancellorship.

The River

Roper

Roper and Margaret’s romantic interest provides contrast and relief and shows More’s feelings on heresy.

Roper’s character opposes Rich’s. He is fanatical in his opinions, steadfast and loyal.

Through his beliefs, we learn of the current influence of Luther and the campaigns against abuses in the church.

After More becomes Chancellor, Cromwell emerges as a dangerous antagonist.

The Common Man acts as a Chorus, always on the look-out for his own advantage.

Cromwell’s control over the social structure grows though the king is the pilot of the Great Harry, which symbolizes the ship of state.

Henry VIII The scene with Henry VIII forms

the climax of Act I and is the pivotal scene of the entire play. The scene is composed in

contrasting and mutually illuminating sections that give a sense of rapid movement and variety and ends with More in a precarious position.

The scene behind the two men is the glittering river, Bolt’s symbol for external values. His references to steering the boat a revelation of his determination to control society.

The king’s departure at high tide leaves More in domestic backwater.

At the end of Act I, Cromwell pressures Rich until he learns that he is open to bribery.

Cromwell is now openly More’s enemy. He intends to manipulate the law unscrupulously to get the King what he desires.

Cromwell moves his first pawn—the goblet More gave Rich.

Act II

The Common Man opens by reading from a history book so that we look critically at events.• The action

begins with More’s resignation of the Chancellorship, leaving him politically vulnerable.

• Chapuys presents More with a dilemma of temptation.

The movement against More moves rapidly. Cromwell takes issue against More’s “silence” for it is “bellowing up and down Europe.”

Cromwell begins with the silver cup attack, and the decision to find additional evidence.

More’s fatal under-estimation of Cromwell’s unscrupulousness and his over-reliance on the Law are dramatically indicated when his isolation is starkly emphasized by changes in the stage lighting.

More’s second encounter with Cromwell heightens his danger, especially after learning of the King’s support of Cromwell.

The Act of Succession now makes More’s silence ineffectual.

The emotional atmosphere is intensified by the pathos of More’s final renunciation of family times for the sake of loyalty to God and himself.

The pageantry of the scene changes is satirical and adds ironic pathos to More’s remaining trust in the Law, which Cromwell openly maneuvers.

The courtroom scene is the climax of Act II.

Cromwell defeats More’s argument of silence.

Rich perjures himself in return for his new job.

More, finally defeated, wins his martyr’s crown by speaking out at last.

The climax of the scene and the play occurs when More publically acknowledges his real opinions.

The quick scene changes suggest the execution of More.

The dumb-show of the Common Man being helped by Cromwell to assume the role of executioner helps distance the audience from the action and softens any emotional involvement.

The dumb-show of hostility and reconciliation between Cromwell and Chapuys shows how their devotion to their respective social orders is the same.

Symbolism

The sea and water is “a figure for the superhuman context.”

The currents and tides refer to shifts in forces around More. Thus, More’s need to be steered by boat to see Wolsey or Cromwell or to return home indicates that he is at the mercy of others.

More also speaks to Roper of the “currents and eddies of right and wrong.” More is “set against the current of [his] times.”

The symbolism of clothing represents identity that is simple to don or doff.

The Common Man changes clothing to change personas although he remains anchored to the principal of selfish opportunism with his essential self intact. He only balks when he must sit in judgment of More.

Themes

Conscience Loyalty and Friendship Power and Corruption Personal Integrity

Works Cited

“A Man for All Seasons.” Methuen Notes. London: Methuen Educational Ltd., 1971.