present the historical conflict between Thomas More and Henry VIII. The conflict

could be viewed as merely a political one but neither history nor the filmmakers have

viewed More's conduct purely in that light, although Henry followed a policy which

advanced his personal power while it diminished the power of the Church of Rome. Sir

Thomas More was a moral intellectual who adhered to principles that transcended

political expediency.. There was a point beyond which he was unwilling to

compromise his personal convictions.

Robert Bolt borrows some of Brecht's devices in creating his remarkable play, A Man for

All Seasons. "I tried then for a bold and beautiful verbal architecture, a story rather than a

plot, and overtly theatrical means of switching from one locale to another. I also used the

most notorious of alienation devices, an actor who addresses the audience and comments

on the action. He is intended to draw the audience into the play." Bolt's

narrator/participant is a brilliant creation in a tale about "Kings and Cardinals." Playing a

half dozen parts as functionaries (e.g., servant, boatman, jailer, publican, etc.), The

More shows us that we should believe in what is right. He shows that

politician reconciling his private conscience and his public duty are the major themes.

More attracted the attention of King Henry 8. Henry made More one of

following year; he refused to take an oath of supremacy, asserting that

Many of our heroes today are characterized by their tremendous physical

The King is backed by everyone on this request except the highly regarded and religious

human dilemmas provide a perfect stage for encouraging deeper investigation of the

remarriage and, more important, Henry VIII's claim to supremacy over the church. One of

Some common words found in the essay are:
Cardinals Playing, Henry VIII's, England More's, Becket Henry, Robert Bolt, Catherine Aragon, Henry VIII, Roman Catholic, King Henry, Richard Rich, henry viii's, stay alive, catherine aragon, considered hero, henry viii, king henry, sir thomas,
Approximate Word count = 1099
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)