The first important Tudor prisoners were Sir Thomas More and Bishop Fisher of Rochester, both of whom were executed in 1535 For refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the English Church.
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The first important Tudor prisoners were Sir Thomas More and Bishop Fisher of Rochester, both of whom were executed in 1535 For refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the English Church. |
Notes from the discussion video with Colin Goodwin and Chris McInterney [Dewey: GOO822.914]
1.Conscience:clash of laws: laws of England and Law of God
an informed conscience:knowing the laws of the Church thoroughly; 'a fine theologian in his own right.discussion fo the friendship between More and Henry
difficulties breaking it up over a central issue in it
Henry seemed to need More's approval to wed Anne as a King needs a prophet's legitimacy. Hence More's agreement is crucial as he is the most prominent lawyer, even a saint in the land
Henry is not a man sure of his ground, 'a man of bluff and appetites'
2.Selfhood
"an adamantine sense of himself"
judged in the afterlife on decisions made in this life
an ascetic; strong and rigorous; able to stand alone and firm and sure in himself.Hence the title: A Man for All Seasons: a man through thick and thin, a man with a sure purpose, not a 'hail fellow well met friend'; a man of principle; not going with the flow, not a jellyfish floating with the fashion; not a narky conscientious objector either, but a man of his own destiny, a man with a true sense of his worth before the might of God.
"a very small area where a man must rule himself" How can we take off part of the self? Isn't every thing involved in this decision (body, mind, family, position,etc.)? That part of himself that is impregnable. Need to decide at what point a man must stand firm.
3. Is More a model for us?
These days,we are judged on what we do, not wh owe are.
Notes by G.Smith1998
Student Response sheet to the
A Man for All Seasons Video discussion by
C.Goodwin and C. McInerney
Text Analysis Exercise
Study the following extract from A Man for All Seasons and write answers to the questions below in the period: Read pp.90-91.
1.Identify the context of this scene: Who are the protagonists? When in the play does this scene occur? What has led up to it?
2."Deathcomes...."
Describe the tone of these comments.
What figure of speech does More use here to dramatise the action of
Death?
Is it effective?
More's emphasis on "bodies" implies what other realities? Suggest why
does he does so.
3."Treason is enoughhere!"
If the original charge fails to stick, Cromwell finds enough material
evidence in the secomments by More. Doyou?
How does Cromwell define treason? Why?
4.Compare this scene with Jesus' trial before Caiaphas, theHigh Priest (Matt 26:65).There they similarly found that if the trumped-up charge might not stick, at least his claim to be the Son of God was blasphemy enough. Such parallels are not accidental in Bolt's craft;playwrights allow for such powerful associations in the audience's collective memory. Comment.
G. Smith1997
Print Sources and references
Robert Bolt (1960) A Man for All Seasons Heinemann Educational Australia
John Guy, (2009) A Daughter's Love London and New York: Harper Perennial.
Metheun Notes: A Man for All Seasons London: Methuen 1982.
William Roper, (nd) The Life of Sir Thomas More Springfield, Illinois: Templegate ISBN 0872431185
G R Stewart, (1979) Brodie's Notes A Man for All Seasons London: Brodie Pan Books.
Peter Vardy, ed. (1999) Great Christian Thinkers: The spiritual heritage of six key theologians Fount/ Harper Collins.
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