Thomas More's Influence On American Culture

When studying the literature written during the Renaissance time period it is important to note one of the most influential authors of that time, Thomas More. In the Norton Anthology English Literature there is an excerpt on More describing him as, “Thomas More is one of the most brilliant, compelling, and disturbing figures of the English Renaissance...” (Norton 569). One of More’s works specifically that demonstrates those characteristics is Utopia book 1. There are many aspects of Utopia worth discussing, like the author’s childhood and life background, how the piece impacted an entire European civilization, why the novel was written, and the relation the work has to the United States Government.

Thomas More was born on February 6, 1478

There is also women priest. The goal was for all religions to be accepted on the island. While Hythloday was on the island he converted many Utopians to Christianity. On every religious holiday wives are required to bow down to their husbands’ and pray for forgiveness of sins. The children of families are also must bow down to their mother and father and ask for forgiveness. Utopia does not make treaties with other countries and there are no lawyers because the laws are already simple and clear. Once a year the laws that were set are reevaluated. Private property is prohibited on the island, More explains in his work the down side of Europe having property owners. In America there are traditional campaigns for presidential office or governor, but in a Utopian society people do not campaign for office. One aspect I found odd about the island is that in war, the husband’s wife is allowed to accompany her husband in war. Women do not participate in war but are permitted to serve as a companion to their husbands while in battle. Hythloday explains that in Utopia it is required for every person to contribute to agriculture, and then people can choose their main occupation. If someone was lazy and chose not to give time to agriculture they are given a harsh punishment, slavery. Despite the devotion to farming and other things, Hythloday shares with the men how their work

The education system had a sense of morality because everyone was taught the same, therefore, creating an equal opportunity for jobs. The schools emphasized on achieving happiness in the world. Happiness is a virtue and it occurred because the people believed that there is an afterlife. This could explain why the education focused on natural subjects, like Astronomy and Philosophy. They wanted people to gain experience in school about the career they would like to pursue. Utopia really wanted people to accept themselves for who they are, so women were prohibited from wearing cosmetics. The technology from the Island was brought over by Romans and Egyptians. It is hard to believe but in Utopia the weather could not be predicted. Hythloday says that there was slavery at the island, but the bright side of the situation is that someone cannot be born into slavery. Although, this is quite sad, he addresses the subject of terminally ill people in Utopia. If someone is critically sick and might be a burden to other people the government has the right to go to the individual and ask if they would like to continue living and be helped to the best of their abilities or would they rather just die? If the individual does feel as if they are a burden on others and choose to end their life, the government will kill them in their sleep. Marriage is a big deal in the Utopian society. To get married the women must be eighteen