Values and morals are often instilled in people as they grow up, but the extent to which people choose to follow these principles can be swayed by personal and selfish desires. In the play A Man For All Seasons, we see that being true to yourself is always a virtue but it can also destroy ones character. Thomas More was a well-respected, wise and honest man who was indeed true to himself. Richard Rich, King Henry VIII and the Common Man however chose to sacrifice their integrity as a means of achieving their goal. More's strong character reveals the true intentions of other characters and their true morals which they try to keep hidden.

Many times a character will have characteristics that are not directly revealed until they are placed in a situation where they must make a moral decision. When Thomas More was given a silver goblet as an attempted bribe, he refuses and immediately wants to get rid of it. This shows that More is an honest and aware man. More then offers Richard Rich the cup who gladly accepts it with little hesitation. Upon giving Rich the cup More asks if he will sell it but he already knows the answer. He knows Rich will sell the cup in turn for money

It is true that respect is earned but when you are a king, respect is something that is expected. For Thomas More it is not that he did not respect the king but that he loved his family and more importantly, God. More was a very religious man and everyone knew that he had a strong devotion to god. Chapuys, a spy for the king of England knows of Thomas' strong faith saying " Sir Thomas is a good son of the church"(p.22). King Henry VIII however was a self-respecting man and did not care what he did or where he went. He felt that he had been give divine rights or authority from God to do whatever he pleased. Although King Henry was a powerful figure he was still childish and insecure. In an attempt to impress More's daughter Margaret, he plants his leg in front of her and refers to his leg as a "dancer's leg"(p.28). Before that he brags about his dancing ability stating, "I dance superlatively!"(p.28). We see that the king may feel that he does not get the respect that he deserves so he has to reassure people that he is a respectable character. Thomas More however is passive and humble and is therefore already well respected. The Pope calls More "an imperishable example of moral integrity." Since More was a polite and had morally strong person he did not have to beg for respect from friends and figures.

or something else. The first thing Rich says he will buy is, "some decent clothes! (p.4) Rich is a materialis

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Approximate Word count = 967
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)