Essay About Life Of Sir Thomas And Affectionate Disposition

A Man For All Seasons
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A “Man for All Seasons” is about a man so subtle and saintly that an actor
who takes on the role must be able to project an almost superhuman presence. As is evident, the
story is based on the life of Sir Thomas More, man of God and chancellor to the court of Henry
VIII. The year is 1530 and from what I know, actors in this movie typically wear transparent
half-masks and double up on roles.
More was the only member of Henry VIIIs government who would not be
seduced or corrupted by Henrys threats. When the king asked More to sign an oath establishing
the monarchy as head of the Church of England, More refused. He could not alter the law, he
said. As the play progresses and More loses his wealth and even his freedom, he becomes almost
self-righteous in his strict adherence to the law. Exasperating, but he must remain sympathetic as
his family goes down with him into grief and poverty. The man who plays him must show both
his affectionate disposition and his unshakable piety or the script would be just an exercise in
mouthing lines.
What I saw from the story was how the wheels turn in Mores mind, the glow
of warmth and the bleakness of despair that flicker across his face. It is not enough to paint him
as a man. He must be a man among grovelers and syncophants, a towering presence. A man for
all seasons, in other words.
In most cases, I am compelled to say that one probably would not be able to
successfully preserve their integrity in a situation such as Thomas Mores. But in response to the
question of whether or