Man for All Seasons

What deadly sins did Rich suffer from?

Avarice.

Why did Thomas resign as Lord Chancellor?

Because he could not complete what was expected of him and not follow his conscience.

Why doesn't More communicate to commission his objection to the Act?

Because he does not want to die and in silence there is safety.

When the duke asks Thomas if the queen is the king's wife, he answers with silence. Why?

By the law of England, silence was his only way of being safe and not being killed because since he was a lawyer, he knew this.

"No priest can make her so"(my wife). How would you respond to that?

Church consecrates the marriage and you have to faithfully follow the Church.

At his execution, More says: "I die His majesty's good servant, but....."

I die my Majesty's good subject, but the Lord is first.

"Are those of us who swore to the oath damned?"

I do not have a window into another man's soul.

Roper expresses a totalitarian impulse:" I would cut down every law in England to get at the devil" What did More say?

I gave the Devil the benefit of the doubt for my own safety's sake.

"Why don't you sign and come with us for fellowship?" How does More respond?

If you go to Heaven for following your conscience and I go to Hell for following mine, will you come with me for fellowship?

Meg says: But haven't you done what is reasonable?" How does More respond?

It is not a matter of reason, but of love.

Who are Margaret, Alice, Duke of Norfolk, Cardinal Worsley, Thomas Cromwell, Richard Rich, and Will Roper?

Margaret is More's daughter, Alice is More's wife, the Duke of Norfolk is a noble and More's friend, Cardinal Worsley is the Lord Chancellor, Richard Rich is the betrayer, and Will Roper is his son-in-law.

More says" Richard, be a teacher". Rich replies" If I did, who would know?" How does More respond and how does his response reflect an important point regarding the Christian view of one life's vocation?

More says God would know and God is the only one who needs to know.

Worsley says to More: "If you only could have acted without that moral squint, you could have been a great statesman." What did More say about conscience in his response and how does that apply today?

My conscience told me to follow the morals and it applies today because we have to follow our conscience and stand up for the HHS mandate .

What prayer did More make about his enemies?

That they would hopefully merrily meet in Heaven.

What is the most recent development (i.e. revisions to HHS mandate by Obama administration)?

The recent development is that he would have the insurance companies pay for birth control.

What parallel do you see between More standing up to the king and the bishops' response to the HHS mandate?

They both were being forced to go against their principles and they did not.

Meg says: "swear to the oath, but in heart, think otherwise." How does More respond?

What is an oath but saying words to God.

Give an example of the moral principle "the ends never justify the means" that was evident in the exchange between Worsley and More.

Worsley wanted the divorce to happen so the king could have a son, but More refused.

"Will you forfeit all you have for a belief" asks the duke. "It's not that "I", but that "I" believe it. What does he mean by this obscure remark?

Yes, I will because it is the core of my identity.

Why are the bishops still opposed to the conciliatory gesture of compromise from the president?

You cannot compromise on principle.

What happens if you said to king that Catherine was his wife?

You could be committed of treason.

What is Mr. Goulet's most valuable possession?

A rock from the prison cell of Thomas More.

What justification did the king have for wanting a divorce?

He had married his brother's widow which is completely immoral.

Why doesn't More recommend to Rich a place in court?

He knows he would fall to temptation and bribery.

How did Cromwell manipulate language and how do people do it today?

He said he would minimize the inconvenience.

When Rich asks, did you recommend me to the court, how does More respond and what does this say about More's character?

He says if you could see right and wrong, you'd be perfect.

Why does More end his friendship with Harold, Duke of Norfolk?

He says to end the friendship for friendship's sake to protect the Duke.

How should Henry handle this problem of not having an heir?

He should pray.

What did More say at trial after hearing Rich's blasphemy?

He was disappointed and truly had hoped that Rich would do the right thing.

Where did More get his courage and detachment?

His joy of following the Lord.