Compare More and Galileo

Similarities

both firm believers: utter and serene belief in God

both victims of circumstances beyond their control

both essentially good beings, morally good beyond their masters

both suffered at others' hands "grim consequences" for all

both misunderstood by the mob

both refuse to compromise

courageous in extremes

male role models - dared to dissent

great men - both remembered with a legacy of the human spirit

both responsible for their own fate?

Qualities: prudence : wary of the powers that be; circumspect; regular in dealings

wisdom : wise men -know how to act honourably; a wise man sees past

immediate personal gain and short term goals; More was eminently wise.

fortitude: persistence, endurance, long suffering for principle, courage

in face of impossible odds and sure death = More

faith: in God; faith in right; faith in the law over arbitrary rule; faith over despair.

Differences

More locked up for their silence	Galileo silenced for his speaking the truth
More was a principled character: knowing, courageous and fortified. He is not just any character - nor in his mind his conflict was not inevitable as he tried to avoid outright defiance of the Oath of Allegiance.
More was responsible - he could foresee the consequences and was not afraid of society.
More he was willing to face death for his stand and it came to that in the end.
More stood out from the crowd; he was singular indeed and that irritated the King and the parliament
The charge against him was that he stood above, had a more superior wisdom than Parliament	The charge against him was that he stood above, had a more superior wisdom than Rome.
More he was following his conscience a very new idea a humanitarian idea revolutionary for a Catholic and for his age.	Galileo was following his evidence, a very new idea a humanitarian idea revolutionary for a Catholic and for his age.
More was thoroughly humane, urbane, witty, highly sophisticated, learned, acclaimed scholar of the Enlightenment.	Galileo was a scientist, a believer, a strong man, a ...........
Remembered by son in law Roper in his book: William Roper, The Life of Sir Thomas More Springfield, Illinois: Templegate, nd.	See his daughter's letters: Dava Sorbel Galileo's Daughter: A drama of science, faith and love London: Fourth Estate, 1999.

© G. Smith 2007

Other comparisons with literature

More and Hamlet

More and Macbeth

Reason and Passion (Othello)

Hamlet and A Man for All Seasons

Thomas More and Thomas a'Beckett

More and Job

More and The Fixer

Utopia and The Prince

To Kill a Mockingbird, King Lear and A Man for All Seasons

More and A Doll's House

More and Romero

More and Amadeus

More and Frankenstein

More, Gandhi, Martin Luther King

Miller's Death of a Salesman

Miller's The Crucible

Bolt's More and Shaw's St. Joan