A Man For All Seasons: More
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 surr
There is no denying that More is a special man. He knows where he is going as he speaks to the Common Man, "Friend, be not afraid of your office. More knows that if he is found guilty of high treason, he will be executed. He will not let others talk him into doing something that he believes is not right. "We sit in the dark because we've no candles" (84). But at the stage when he is alive, he can not surrender. Cromwell thought that by saying that, it would cause More to change his attitude and swear to the oath. and I am damned for not doing according to mine, will you come with me, for fellowship?" (78).
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