A Man for All Seasons
King Henry VIII
King of England at the time, married his brother's widow through the Church and then wished to divorce her after many attempts to provide an heir. Separates England from the Church to create the Church of England.
"What's in me for him to miss?"
Matthew to Audience
"You have long known the secrets of my heart."
More to Margaret
"Why not be a teacher? You'd be a fine teacher; perhaps a great one."
More to Rich
"God's my god. . . . But I find him rather too . . . subtle."
More to Roper
I'm lamenting. I've lost my innocence
Rich to Cromwell
"Employ Me"
Rich to Thomas More
"Every man has his price!"
Rich to Thomas More
"There is: God's law."
Roper to More
"I have not disobeyed my sovereign. I truly believe no man in England is safer than myself."
Sir Thomas More to Alice
Lady Alice More
Sir Thomas More's hardened wife who shows her emotions for More during her visit to his prison cell.
Sir Thomas More
Sir Thomas to Roper
What does Margaret do better than the king?
Speak Latin
How do people feel about Thomas' silence?
They believe it is him denying what the king says.
Master Secretary Cromwell
A cunning lawyer who attempts to plot against Sir Thomas More throughout the play and in the end, constructs a well thought out plan to have Sir Thomas More pay for his refusal to sign the Act of Supremacy. Convinced Richard Rich to commit perjury in the court against More.
Chapuys
A loyal Spaniard who is an ambassador to England who is against the divorce between the English king and Catherine.
Sir Thomas More
A renowned lawyers with the respect of the people who also lives in Chelsea, remains silent on the topic of the Act of Supremacy throughout the play until he is charged with high treason. A devout Catholic condemned by Cromwell.
Norfolk
A reputable and close friend to Sir Thomas More. Participates in the King's Court, and is asked by both Cromwell and Sir Thomas More to end his friendship with More.
What does More give Rich?
A silver cup
William Roper
A young man who questions the Catholic Church's stance on things following the rise of Lutheranism, only to return to Catholicism later on. Is denied Margaret's hand at first by Sir Thomas More due to his being a Lutheran, but later is granted her hand by his return to Catholicism. He is very outspoken with his stance on politics and even says a statement of high treason aloud. He serves as a contrasting figure to More's silence.
Don't lay your muddy hands on me
Alice to Thomas More
What document does Master Secretary Cromwell reveal that puts fear into Sir Thomas More?
An edict/paper by the King Henry VIII himself, that reveals the severity of More's stand. It was at this moment Thomas More shifted his expression to an afraid one.
Margaret More/Roper
An intelligent daughter of Sir Thomas More who is naive to her boasting of her intellectual prowess, for example, she meddles in the affairs of Sir Thomas More and questions confidential things and comes to her own conclusions, and also belittles King Henry VIII's knowledge of Latin. In love with William Roper.
"Better a live rat than a dead lion."
Common Man to Audience
"My master Thomas More would give anything to anyone because some day someone's going to ask him for something that he wants to keep, and he'll be out of practice."
Common Man to Audience
"Now, Sir Thomas, you stand on your silence?"
Cromwell to More
"Oh, justice is what you're threatened with."
Cromwell to More
"What Englishman can behold without Awe. The Canvas and the Rigging of the Law!"
Cromwell to the Court
What does the king say he does better than Margaret?
Dance
Cardinal Wolsey
Former Lord Chancellor of England who died suddenly, and was replaced by Sir Thomas More. Was unsuccessful in getting a dispensation from the Pope for the king's divorce.
Who understands Thomas better than anyone?
HIs daughter Margaret
What does More think of the Ropers?
He doesn't have a problem with the family, just William's heretical beliefs.
What is Cromwell's title?
He is the Master Secretary
What does the king promise Thomas regrading this divorce?
He will leave him out of it
What is Cromwell to the king?
His "eyes and ears"
Why does the King say he leaves Thomas' house?
It is 8:00pm and the tides are changing
How did More receive this item?
It was a bribe
You lay traps for me
Norfolk to Thomas More
"To frighten a man there must be something in the cupboard, must there not?"
Thomas More to Alice
And what would you do with a water spaniel that was afraid of water? You'd hang it!
Thomas More to Norfolk
"Why, Richard, it profits a man to give his soul for the whole world...But for Wales!"
Thomas More to Rich
"The currents and eddies of right and wrong, which you find such plain-sailing, I can't navigate."
Thomas More to Roper
What position does More offer to Rich?
To be a teacher
Richard Rich
Wants to be employed by Sir Thomas More, but is denied countless times to then be directed to Cromwell, who gives him a position of the attorney general for Wales. Serves as a foil for Sir Thomas More. As he gains wealth and influence, More falls, and commits and act of perjury in the court.
He's been to play in the muck again
Wolsey to Thomas More
