In the preface of the book, A Man for All Seasons, Robert Bolt defines the word common. He states, "He is called "The Common Man"...and the word "common" was intended primarily to indicate "that which is common to us all"." (Preface XIX) This statement clearly describes the word common to mean universal or that which is usually viewed by others. Besides defining the word common, Bolt defines the role of the "Common Man" in the preface and throughout the play. Bolt describes the role played by the "Common Man" to represent the average person. The purpose of the "Common Man" is to establish the universal nature of mankind. The Common Man also talks to the audience and adds his input and opinions on what's been going on throughout the play.
             For instance, throughout the play the Common Man plays many roles. The Common Man plays as Thomas More's steward Matthew, the boatman, the innkeeper, the jailer, the jury's foreman, and the executioner. Most of theses roles played are of the lower class society and all have interactions with the other characters of the play. For example, Matthew serves More and betrays him at the end of the play. The innkeeper gives Cromwell a room to stay and the boatman takes More to his house. The jury's foreman, the jailer, and the executioner play a part in More's trial and death. These different roles help establish the universal nature of the Common Man. Each role played demonstrates values that are commonly found in human nature.
             The Common Man personifies attitudes, actions and morals that are common to or universally shared by everyone. For example, as the jailer, the Common Man didn't free More because he thought it would be meaningless to release him. Releasing More would be pointless because it would create trouble for the Common Man. More's destined death was also the driving force behind his fi
             ...