Thomas More And Richard Rich example essay topic

A Man for All Seasons A Man for All Seasons, written by Robert Bolt, is a very well known, famous play. The main character of this play, Sir Thomas More, is probably why this play is so widely known. Sir Thomas More is more than a main character, but instead a hero because of his accomplishment in the original steps in being a hero, which are three main steps: the suffering of physical wounds, the descent into darkness, and the return to reality. The first of three steps is the suffering that More goes through, physically, is caused by the selfishness of King Henry V. For years More was kept locked in the tower of London, due to the fact that he refused the demands of his ruler, King Henry V. Physically, More is locked and kept in the dungeon of the tower. He is withdrawn from books to gain his approval of the King's new marriage. At the end of the play Sir Thomas was beheaded for committing crime of high treason against his King.

This claim, contributed from Thomas Cromwell, was completely based on silence. More repented from speaking and in doing so, stopped Cromwell and King Henry V to obtain permission they so badly needed in order to convict Thomas of treason. Cromwell desperately needed evidence that More actually said something to someone, so he could prove that More would commit an act against England. To do this Cromwell created a story that said Thomas More and Richard Rich had said words about the King and in doing so, More would be sentenced to death. This was established in the court where Richard Rich lied. The second of three steps is the descent into darkness for Thomas More.

This begins with the need for happiness and power for King Henry V. The result of King Henry's needs is that he decides to abandon the Catholic Church and creates his own church. This caused lots of problems because all of the people in England would be forced to join his church. If they refused to join then they would be convicted of high treason and sentenced to death. King Henry forced thousands of Englishmen to choose their country instead of their religion. Most people of England chose their country instead of their religion because of the crimes they would face, but there was one man named Thomas More who wasn't always able to choose so easily.

His honesty wouldn t leave him and his conscience kept telling him, to choose what was right and honest. More decided that he would rather be beheaded and suffer rather than descending from his church. This reminds me of the movie Braveheart because of the strive William Wallace had in his freedom. Thomas More let go of all of his friends and even sent his family out of the country to protect them from harm. This shows how unselfish he is.

The King locked him up in the Tower of London, hoping that he would speak. But this did nothing to Thomas More except make him miserable. Because of this Thomas had to stay with his religion and risk the wrath of the king of England. The last step is the point where Thomas More returns to reality.

This occurs when he is being put on trial due to Thomas Cromwell. At this moment More tells Cromwell there is no way he could win because the fact that no one else was brave enough to fight the decision made by the King. Silence is not denial. And for my silence I am punished, with imprisonment. Why have I been called again? Pg. 87 However, he discovers that Richard Rich lied and cannot do anything about it.

' In good faith, Rich, I am sorrier for you perjury than my peril. Then Norfolk asked if More had denied what Rich had said, Yes! My lords, if I were a man who heeded not the taking of an oath, you know well I need not to be here. Now I will take an oath! If what Master Rich has said is true, then I pray I may never see God in the face! Which I would not say were it otherwise for anything on earth.

Pg. 90-91 This shows Rich and the court some guilt that they had done, if Rich was in fact lying. Sir Thomas More is considered a hero by many standards including his accomplishments in three main steps. He purified the means of being a hero by passing successfully through the suffering of wounds, descending into the darkness, and returning to reality. But what makes him a true hero is the fact that he had been locked away, truly believed in himself and in doing so, being locked away and beheaded. More is a true human being because of his commitments in his own beliefs and those to others. Despite the fact that he was punished, his qualities of a human can t be taken away from him and will always be an honest and righteous man.