Thomas More In Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons

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“How does Bolt’s writing create a vivid impression of Thomas More at this point in the play?” Robert Bolt captivates readers in ‘A Man for All Seasons’ through his dramatization of historical events and characters. One very significant character we meet in the play is Thomas More who at this point in the play creates a very distinct impression compared to the other characters on the audience by his strong values and reaction to the events that previously affected him prior to this point of the play. Very close attention should be payed to the stage directions and overall diction used by Robert Bolt at this point of the play and even throughout the play because it aids in creating a vivid impression of Sir Thomas More. Thomas More deals …show more content…

Why would a man in poverty refuse four thousand pounds which would have been considered as a lot of money in the 1500s? Again, it’s just because of the person who Thomas More is. Thomas More is a man of whole integrity and strength. Thomas More has an extremely brave mind and a love of his religion which is shown not only at this point in the play but throughout the play itself. He doesn’t say “I don’t want to” or anything similar he says “I can’t”, he is unable to accept the compensation. His wife is completely opposed and angered by his light reaction to poverty, his refusal to accept the four thousand pounds and his overall refusal to condone to the Act of Supremacy. He doesn’t want it to “appear as a payment” which reminds the audience and the readers of Thomas More’s devotion to his religious faith and his commitment to the law. There is a successful use of foreshadowing when Thomas More says that it can all end up “very bad” or even “dangerous” when referring to the King. His calmness is again showed through the use of stage directions “calmly” when he is speaking to Alice about the