A Man For All Seasons
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ACT 1, SCENE 1
Conversation between Thomas More and Richard Rich.
RICH: Well there! A friend of Sir Thomas and still no office? There must be something wrong with him.
MORE: I thought we said friendshipThe Dean of St Pauls offers you a post; with a house, a servant and fifty pounds a year.
RICH: Its hard.
MORE (grimly): Be a teacher.
This conversation, as well as the previous one, sets up the contrast between Sir Thomas More and Richard Rich which is prevalent throughout the entire play.
In this opening scene, Rich and More argue over whether or not anyone can be bought. While Rich believes “every man has his price”, More refuses to agree
with the notion that everybody could succumb to the temptations of status, power, wealth and women, or the notion of suffering. Rich means to say that men
want to avoid suffering and are therefore attracted to the possibility of escape, and More instantly recognises this idea as one of Machaevellis. As Machaevelli
is historically understood to have written on the government, and how putting political appropriateness above ethical issues and morality was the sensible
approach to be taken in aquiring status, Richs corruptibility and the suppression of his conscience is foreshadowed in that Machaevellis theories both interest
and attract him. More warns Rich of the temptation involved in aquiring a high-ranking job, and offers him an Italian silver cup. The silver cup symbolises Mores
attempt to test and teach Rich, and is significant throughout the play as it represents the commencement of Richs corruptibilty, which eventually escalates into
much more evil and immoral actions later on. The cup also represents the differences in principles and morailty between More and Rich. While Mores principles
dont allow him to keep such a “contaminated” object, Rich jumps at the chance of receiving something so valuable for free.
In between this opening conversation with More and the next important step in Richs complete loss of innocence, and Mores own demise, a number of
changes occur in character relationships. Rich and Cromwells relationship becomes closer and more valuable. More recognises this and assumes Rich no
longer requires Mores assistance in aquiring employment. Rich objects to this, claiming he would rather work with More than Cromwell, however More again
refuses Rich a job as he is certain Rich is untrustworthy and to an extent, dangerous. This is obvious in that while More points out to Norfolk that Rich is in
search of employment, he does not “recommend” him. Matthew (Mores servant and one representation of the common man), also predicts that Rich will
amount to nothing, but as we see later on, Richs deception and lack of morality and principles ultimately, and ironically, gets him everything he ever wanted.
More talks to Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor, who tries to convince him to approve of King Henrys divorce, but More believes the divorce is unacceptable
without the Popes consent. Despite Wolseys warnings of consequences associated with disapproval, More refuses to set aside his beliefs and conform,
giving a clear insight into his belief in staying true to ones self and not conforming to something you dont agree with out of fear. This persona of More
foreshadows his stance on events that come later in the play. More also refuses to allow Roper to marry his daughter Margaret due to Ropers dynamic
religious beliefs, labelling him a heretic, and disapproving of his inability to stay true to the English Church. Rich becomes Norfolks secretary and librarian, and
Cromwell undermines him for this. Rich admits he isnt really friends with More anymore, which explains why he hasnt yet aquired a better job. However, when
Cromwell offers him employment he declines, showing that he isnt ready to become a walking representation of Machaevellis theories yet, but later bribes
Matthew for information on More which undermines his morality once again. Chapuys and Cromwell also bribe Matthew for information, which shows how most
of the characters are immoral (especially contrasted to More) and highlights the difficulty More will face in his newly appointed position as Lord Chancellor.
After deceiving More, Rich attempts to convince More to give him a job once again by telling him of Chapuys and Cromwells bribery towards Matthew. More
refuses again and Richs violent behaviour and badgering spark fright in Mores family, who try to convice More to have Rich arrested. More believes the idea
of this is infallible because Rich has not broken the law. King Henry visits More personally in an attempt to receive his approval, as the approval of a man with
such an honest and moral reputation would be sure to make the King feel moral as well. However More is unable to discard his conscience, telling the King:
“This is my right arm. Take your dagger and saw it from my shoulder, and I will laugh and be thankful, if by that means I can come with Your Grace with a clear
conscience”. Once again he is portrayed as a man of irrefutable morality, in that he wont approve of something he believes is wrong by the law, or
unacceptable by God.
CROMWELL: Well, congratulations!
………….
RICH: ….You enjoyed it!
In this Dialogue between Rich and Cromwell at The Loyal Subject, Cromwell bribes Rich with the position of “Collector of Revenues for York” in return for
information. Rich is subtly coerced into admitting he will be bought, which pleases Cromwell in that he was relying on Richs corruptibility for information on
More. Cromwell seeks Richs help in making the Kings divorce “convenient”, and despite Richs “laments” over his own corruptibility, he informs Cromwell of the
bribe More once received. Cromwell believes More will change his stance on the Kings divorce, but Rich objects, saying More will not be easily frightened.
While Rich represents how one can sacrifice their own moral conscience