A Man for All Seasons written by Robert Bolt is a play about a man, Sir Thomas More, who lives by his beliefs and ultimately dies because of those beliefs. The play has a pretty simple theme, played out through a few main characters. Of all the characters I was captivated most by Sir Richard Rich. His character and personality play as a foil to More's. I would like to look at Rich's character in a little more depth, as well as contrast his character to More's.
             The first appearance of Rich in the play happens right away in the first scene. This is the first time you get to see Rich's personality. Rich and More have an argument, as to whether every man is capable of being bribed. Rich believes that money, status or women, can bribe anyone. More dismisses this but at the same time is intrigued with his belief that a man can be bought with suffering. Rich is referring to the fact that he has read Machiavelli, which More ultimately teases him about. Machiavelli's morals differ greatly from More's. More reveres his private conscience above things like personal advancement, but Machiavelli advises the opposite. Rich's reference to Machiavelli foreshadows the way he and his mentor, Thomas Cromwell, will spare no one to achieve success later in the play. At the end of the scene More tells the duke that Rich needs a job, but that he does not necessarily recommend Rich, which displays More's view of Rich. More is one of the most respected men of the time, so his opinion on someone would be a valid one. Right from the beginning of the play you can see the contrast in Rich's and More's characters.
             More obviously cares for Rich's well being. Rich's lust for power and wealth are in the end too much for him to overcome and any kind of guidance or advice given from More is disregarded. It is interesting to note that More does care for Rich. In his interacti
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