More's Moral Conscience in "A Man For All Seasons"
             Destruction of an individual displays one's moral beliefs when he is destroyed. The defeat is what counts most; to defeat a man is to destroy the soul. In the play, A Man for All Seasons, by Robert Bolt, the notion that "a man can be destroyed but not defeated" is a premise that is clearly demonstrated by Sir Thomas More. As the former Lord Chancellor of England, More is the only man who truly sees problems his own ways. He held onto his convictions and beliefs by refusing to support his King on the issue of divorcing his wife Catherine. In the process of holding onto his beliefs, he is pressured by his family, his friends, and the court of justice. Unfortunately, he is executed, but remains a legacy to the people. Despite his death, he reminds others that they should hold on to their moral beliefs, no matter what happens.
             Sir Thomas More's family went through great lengths in order to persuade More to swear to the Act of Succession. If More would swear to the oath, it would free him from the charges of high treason. More's daughter, Margaret, tried everything in order to pressure her father into taking the oath. Margaret took an oath in an attempt to persuade More to surrender to the King's will. "Say the words of the oath and in your heart think otherwise" (83). More responded by saying, "What is an oath than but words we say to God?" (83) More's moral decisions are demonstrated in ways that he cannot accept the oath. Even though his own daughter is trying everything she possibly can to persuade his father, More will not back down. For he tells her daughter, "When a man takes an oath, Meg, he's holding his own self in his own hands. Like water (cups hands) if he opens his fingers then - he needn't hope to find himself again" (83). He will not let others talk him into doing something that he believes is not right.
             It is evident that More's wife ,Alice, seems to be the least
             ...