A Man For All Seasons Quotes and Review
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"A dispensation was granted so that the King might marry Queen Catherine, for state reasons. Now we are to ask the Pope to dispense with his dispensation, also for state reasons?"
Cromwell
"Ah yes. Are you very attached to His Grace's library, or would you be free to accept an offer?"
Norfolk
"And here's your answer. The King accepts your resignation very sadly; he is mindful of your goodness and past loyalty, and in any matter concerning your honor and welfare he will be your good lord."
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"And then we stand before God, and you are sent to paradise for doing according to your conscience and I am damned for not doing according to mine, will you come with me for fellowship?"
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"I shall miss you, Matthew; I shall miss you."
Norfolk
"Thomas, this isn't Spain you know."
What does the cup symbolize?
Bribery
Henry's first queen is named?
Catherine
Henry's first queen is named...
Catherine.
Cardinal Wolsey
Chancellor of England. Has a very sudden death that was the result of the inability to obtain dispensation from the pope that would annul King Henry's marriage to Catherine and allow him to marry Anne Boylan instead. Ambitious and well-developed, but does not have such a well-developed character. His death "hangs" over everyone else as anyone who would dare the king's disapproval.
Where is More's house?
Chelsea.
What character does Bolt use as symbolism?
Common Man
What techniques does Bolt use to convey his message?
Common Man, metaphors, and symbolism
Why does Thomas refuse to tell his family what he thinks about the divorce and the Act of Supremacy?
Doesn't want them to be forced to lie if they are called up to testify against him.
What character is symbolized by the color green?
Duke
More's friend who was used to add legitimacy to More's trial
Duke of Norfolk
What is the significance of the Kings first marriage?
It improves the diplomatic relationship with Spain
More's well educated and inquisitive daughter
Margaret
English Statesman who opposed Henry VIII's divorce from Catherine of Aragon
Sir Thomas More
What did the Act of Supremacy State?
The King is the head of the Church of England
When Wolsey says, "there is much in the church that needs reformation, Thomas", what did he mean?
There was a great deal of corruption in the Catholic Church at this time.
A crafty lawyer who is the primary agent plotting against More
Thomas Cromwell
"the English Socrates"
Thomas More- declared by Chapuys
Norfolk
Very close friends with Thomas More; he is eventually asked by Cromwell to destroy and betray his close friendship with Thomas More. Very dumbfounded and never knows what's going on, and is an innocent person in Cromwell's opinion.
A young man who is Lutheran but later converts back to Catholicism.
William Roper
What metaphorically represents society?
dry land
Henry
"Readier to be friends, I trust, than he was to be Chancellor."
More
"The service of God is not a dishonor in my office. Believe me, my friend, I do not belittle the honor his majesty is doing me."
Henry
"Why Margaret, they told me you were a scholar."
Henry
"You must consider, Thomas, that I stand in the peril of my soul. It was no marriage; she was my brother's widow. Leviticus: 'Thou shall not uncover the nakedness of they brother's wife."
When does the play take place?
1535
Why does Thomas refuse to tell his family what he thinks about the divorce and the Act of Supremacy?
Because he doesn't want them to have to lie if called to testify against him.
Why does More suddenly let Roper marry his daughter?
Because he suddenly switches back to Catholicism.
What causes More to resign as the Chancellor of England?
Because the bishops vote to accept the kind as the head of the church
Why does the king leave More's house so abruptly?
More refuses to endorse the King's divorce
Who did Cromwell send in a last ditch effort to get more to change his mind?
More's family
Margaret
More's well educated and intelligent daughter. Understands her father very well, but still questions his actions and decisions. Eventually marries Roper.
What is the name of the boat King Henry sails down the Thames to meet Sir Thomas?
The Great Harry
What is the name of the boat King Henry sails down the Thames to meet Sir Thomas?
The Great Harry.
What heretic does Cromwell attempt to associate with More?
The Holy Maid of Kent.
Why does Norfolk participate in the persecution of his friend More?
The King required him to so the trail would not seem cruel and unfair.
What do we learn about the King from his interaction with Margaret?
The King wants to be the best at everything
What does More's chain of office represent?
The position in office
Why does the King want an heir?
To avoid a civil war
What does dry land and water symbolize?
Uncertain territory of moral and the unknowable realm of God and the devil.
Alice
Wife of Thomas More, very conflicted to herself and spends most of the play questioning why her husband will not give her the king's wishes. Her attitude is often switching over from anger to confusion. Says "God Knows Why" is okay for More to then die.
The Lord Chancellor of England, who tries but fails to get the King a divorce
Wolsey
What object does the Common Man use to aid the audience 's knowledge of his transition between characters?
hats
In his preface, which man does Bolt not cite as an influence in writing his play?
William Shakespeare.
More
"Oh, now I understand you, Will. Morality's not practical. Morality's a gesture."
How long has More been in jail by the time he is seen there in Act Two?
One year.
More
"And whoever hunts for me, Roper, God or Devil, will find me hiding in the thickets of the law! And I'll hide my daughter with me!"
Henry
"Be seated. You are my friend, are you not?"
More
"Because evidence is given on oath, and he will not perjure himself. If you don't know that, you don't know him."
Henry
"Because you are honest. Whats more to the purpose, you're known to be honest. There are those like Norfolk who follow me because I wear the crown, and those like Master Cromwell who follow me because they are jackals with sharp teeth and I am their lion, and there is a mass that follows me because it follows anything that moves, and there is you."
What saying does the Common Man come up with to justify the way he treats the imprisoned Thomas More?
"Better live a rat than a dead lion".
Cromwell
"Brought? you brought yourself to where you stand now."
Martin Luther and the Reformation
A German monk who wrote the 95 Theses protesting against the selling of Indulgences. He believed that only faith could gain salvation and that priests should be able to marry. His ideas and he himself was significant because they challenged the church and the pope itself. He also inspired many German peasants and Princes seemed to find an opportunity to seize power from his idea.
What job does More recommend that Rich take at the very beginning of the play?
A school teacher.
More's wife
Alice
To which characters does More display his passionate side?
Alice, jailer, and Roper.
Who tells More that he's behaving "like a printed book"?
Alice.
What did a woman use to attempt to bribe More?
An Italian silver cup
What did a woman use to attempt to bribe More?
An Italian silver cup.
convocation
An assembly where there is a coming together
Roper
At the beginning of the play, he is Lutheran, but then later switches over to Catholicism. The boyfriend of Margaret, who then becomes her husband after switching over to Catholicism. His "high minded" ideas eventually come to contrast with More's thoughts and opinions. Becomes another "foil" for Sir Thomas More. In every one of his scenes, he is taking a public stand for a newly developed conflict or issue. Advocates the law as a better guide to morality.
Where does the family find Thomas when he should be getting ready for the king's arrival?
At vespers.
What position does Cromwell offer Rich in exchange for Rich's false testimony at More's trial?
Attorney general of Wales
What position does Cromwell offer Rich in exchange for Rich's false testimony at More's trial?
Attorney general of Wales.
Why does More suddenly let Roper marry his daughter?
Because Roper switches back to Catholicism
What does More burn to warm his house when he is poor?
Bracken.
What does Rich say he will do with the money he gains from selling the silver cup?
Buy new clothes
What does Rich say he will do with the money he gains from selling the silver cup?
Buy new clothing.
What character is symbolized by the color red?
Cardinal
What is the function of the Common Man?
Comic relief, make the theme universal, comments on the character's action, gives historical info, foretells events that are to come later, and to give advice to the audience
How do we know that A Man For All Seasons is not a historical chronicle?
Common Man, setting, language, and costumes
What does the Glided Cup symbolize?
Corruption, and More's attempt to test and teach Rich.
What are the themes of AMFAS?
Corruption, self and friendship, motifs, satire and wit, silence, and guilt.
Cromwell
Crafty lawyer who is plotting against Sir Thomas More. Cromwell, unlike other characters, is motivated by a more evil spirit, and hardly faces any of More's downfall with guilt.
Archbishop of Canterbury
Cranner
What other literature utilizes a character similar to the Common Man?
Everyman, Our Town, and Antigone
What languages mentioned in the play besides English did Margaret know?
Greek and Latin
In Antigone, which character is similar to the Common Man?
Greek chorus/ choragus
Why wont more accept money from the Bishops?
He cant appear to be taking bribes from the church
What charge must Cromwell trump up in order to be able to execute Sir Thomas?
High Treason
What charge must Cromwell trump up in order to be able to execute Sir Thomas?
High treason.
Which of the following roles does the common Man not play?
Judge
What role did the Common man not play out of jury, judge, headsman, and boatman?
Jury.
What character is symbolized by the color gold?
King
Name Supporter of the Faith by the Pope but later disavows the Pope.
King Henry VIII
King Henry VIII
King of England, but is only on stage for a brief and short period of time. Is a very present person in the speech of other characters, and is talked about a lot. Seen as a very moral person. Values what More thinks of him, and seems to think very highly of More. Believes he can enforce everyone including the pope. Wants to ease his conscience by sanctioning his divorce to Catherine on More.
What book of the Bible does Henry quote to support his claim that his first marriage was invalid?
Leviticus
What book of the Bible does Henry quote to support his claim that his first marriage was invalid?
Leviticus.
What position does Rich take after More first refuses his request for work?
Librarian for Norfolk.
What city is the play located?
London
Rich
Low-leveled, but helped More establish himself. Wants to gain employment, but More refuses to help him in the higher classed area. More suggests that he becomes a teacher. "Conquers and destroys his conscience". Sacrifices his will and standards for wealth and status.
What is Ropers Religion at the beginning of the play?
Lutheran
What is Roper's religion at the beginning of the play?
Lutheran.
What character is symbolized by the color blue?
Margaret
What character is symbolized by the color gray?
More
Common Man
Narrator of the play. He plays the roles with the lowest class. Personifies attitudes and characteristics, as said in the preface of the novel. Tends not to think of consequences.
Did the Common Man fulfill Bolt's original function of him identifying with common flaws of individuals?
No, the Common Man turns to "The Man in the Street" to the audience.
What position does Rich take after More first refuses his request for work?
Norfolk's Librarian
Sir Thomas More
Protagonist of the play. Refuses to sign an oath. Center point of the story in which conflicts revolve around. "Gives up" his life because he cannot sacrifice his commitment to his conscience. Does not make a move to speak out against Henry's divorce. Reveals his true opinion after Cromwell condemns him.
Machiavelli
Renaissance writer; formerly a politician, wrote The Prince, a work on ethics and government, describing how rulers maintain power by methods that ignore right or wrong; accepted the philosophy that "the end justifies the means."
A low level functionary whom More helped establish
Richard Rich
Which of the following characters is most Machiavellian?
Richard Rich
Who isn't mentioned by the Common Man as someone who ends up being executed in the aftermath of the events depicted in the play?
Richard Rich.
Who is the author of A Man for all Seasons?
Robert Bolt
Chapuys
Spanish ambassador of England. He is very loyal to his country, and wants to insure that the divorce of King Henry and Catherine does not go through. Displays his personal aptitude for hiding under his religious fervor.
What are the roles of the Common Man?
Steward, Jailer, Boatman, Headsman, Innkeeper, Juryman
What job does More recommend that Rich take at the very beginning of the play?
Teacher
What happens as a result of More leaving his office?
The family becomes poor.
What are More's feelings on the Nobility of England?
They are not as noble or well bred as they claim to be.
What do both Cromwell and Chapuys want from More?
They want More to support their positions on the Kings divorce.
Events taken place (in order)
Thomas More objects to King Henry's plans, Runs into Cromwell and Chapuys, Margaret marries Roper, Wolsey dies, Cromwell meets with Rich, More cannot be found when king is on his way to arrive, Act of Supremacy is passed, Cromwell and Norfolk meet up, play ends with More's beheading.
Is King Henry hypocritical?
Yes, he does not stay to his word; it is everchanging for his benefit. (pg 55)
bracken
a cluster or thicket of ferns; an area overgrown with shrubs.
causeway
a road that is raised above water or marshland or sand
What animal does King Henry compare Master Cromwell and the fellow people to?
jackals
What metaphorically represents superhuman context?
sea and water
In Our Town, which character is similar to the Common Man?
the Stage Manager
More
"Then its a poor argument to call it 'neat,' Meg. When a man takes an oath he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water."
Margaret
"Then say the words of the oath and in your heart think otherwise."
Henry
"Too much learning is a weariness of the flesh, and there is no end of the making of books."
Henry
"Well I dance superlatively!"
More
"What about you, Matthew? It'll be a smaller household now, and for you I'm afraid, a smaller wage. Will you stay?"
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"But Richard, in office they offer you all sorts of things. I was once offered a whole village, with a mill, and a manor house, and heaven knows what else - a coat of arms, I shouldn't be surprised."
Cromwell
"Do they? That's because you're not a man of conscience. If the King destroys a man, that's proof to the King that he must have been a bad man, the kind of man a man of conscience ought to destroy - and of course a bad man's blessing's not worth having. So either will do."
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"For Wales? Why Rich it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.. But for Wales!?"
Margaret
"God more regards the thoughts of the heart than the words of the mouth, or so you've always told me."
Alice
"Hell's fire, God's blood and body, no! Sun and moon master more you're taken for a wise man!"
Wolsey
"I believe you believe that. You're a constant regret to me, Thomas. If you could just see facts flat on, without that horrible moral squint; with just a little common sense, you could have been a statesman."
What phrase does the publican repeat in his conversation with Cromwell?
"I don't understand, sir."
Cromwell
"I have evidence that Sir Thomas, during the period of his judicature, accepted bribes."
More
"I trust I make myself obscure?"
More
"If Wolsey fell, the splash would swamp a few small boats like ours. There will be no new Chancellor while Wolsey lives."
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"If we govern our tongues they will! Now listen I have a word to say about that. I have made no statement. I've resigned, that's all."
Alice
"Is this wisdom to betray your ability, abandon practice, forget your station and your duty to your kin and behave like a printed book!"
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"It will mean what the words say! An oath is made of words! It may be possible to take it, to avoid it."
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"Listen Roper. Two years ago you were a passionate Churchman; now you're a passionate Lutheran. We must just pray that when your heads finished turning your face is to the front again!"
Norfolk
"Look here, Cromwell, I want no part of this."
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"No 'Bishop of Rome' if you like. It doesn't alter his authority."
Henry
"No ceremony, Thomas! No ceremony! A passing fancy - I happened to be on the river."
More
"No far below; but let me draw your attention to a fact, I'm not God."
Henry
"No opposition I say! Your conscience is your own affair; but you are my Chancellor!"
Wolsey
"No, Catherine's his wife and she's as barren as a brick. Are you going to pray for a miracle?"
Cromwell
"Not being a man of letters, Your Grace, you perhaps don't realize the extent of his reputation. This 'silence' of his is bellowing up and down Europe!"
Cromwell
"Oh, sly! Do you notice how sly he is Rich? Well, I suppose you would call me "The Kings Ear" Its a useful organ, the ear. But in fact its even simpler than that. When the King wants something done, I do it."
Roper
"The Church is heretical! Doctor Luther's proved to my satisfaction!"
More
"The law is not a 'light' for you or any man to see by; the law is not an instrument of any kind. The law is a causeway upon which, so long as he keeps to it, a citizen may walk safely. In matter of conscience..."
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"Yes. To avoid this I have taken every oath my winding wits would find. Now that the Court ! has determined to condemn me, God knoweth how, I will discharge my mind... concerning my indictment and the King's title. The indictment is grounded in the Act of Parliament which is directly repugnant to the Law of God. The King in Parliament cannot bestow the Supremacy of the Church because it is a Spiritual Supremacy! And more to this the immunity of the Church is promised both in Magna Carta and the King's own Coronation Oath!
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"You wouldn't last six months in Spain. You'd have been burned alive in Spain, during your heretic period."
