Utopia
Thomas More's "Utopia" and Martin Luther's essays to the German nobility have some similarities. They both criticize the environment in which they live, they talk about the problems they observe within it and offer solutions. They both have the belief that the people themselves within the society have the ability to correct these faults. It's obvious for us to see how from their works how they indeed believe they can correct these problems themselves. The approach that both More and Luther follow is that, they first identify the problem and then offer possible solutions. Even though both More and Luther seem to have some similarities, they however differ in some aspects. More, identified the problems within his society but however failed to provide realistic solutions to them. He rather offered what he hope would have been present in his society so that the problems would not arise. Luther on the other hand, taking his essays to the Christian nobility of the German nation into consideration, just attacks one aspect of his society, the Roman Catholic Church. He however offers realistic ways that may rectify this problem. The main reason that led to More and Luther's writing was due to the political conditions present in their so
With these opinions, we see that though Luther and More approached their problems differently they all had a common goal. They criticized the fact that the system favored the powerful rather than the common people. Another difference between the two is that, Luther believes all these problems involving his society cannot be solved unless they ask God for help. More on the other believes in his people, he relies on the people to become aware of the problems around them and change them themselves. Luther on the other hand, hopes for the people to instill their trust in God so that he helps them solve their problems. Both Luther and More in their criticism against the Enclosure Movement attack the leadership. More show's his dissatisfaction with the so-called kings, lords and nobles, whilst Luther with the Pope, bishops and priests. According to More the leadership that was being practiced in England was unfair because the leader acquires personal riches and goods at the cost of the people through plundering and confiscation, thus leaving them in poverty. In doing so, he claims, the king becomes hated by his own people because of the fact that, he lives in luxury whilst they don't. Such a ruler he refers to as, a ruler of a prison and not that of a kingdom. In order for this situation not to happen, More suggests that the leader(s) be honest and live within their own income, " he should live harmlessly on his own income, adapt his expenses to his
Some common words found in the essay are:
Catholic Church, Luther Pope, God Utopia, Martin Luther's, Enclosure Movement, Roman Catholic, catholic church, roman catholic church, roman catholic, enclosure movement, offer solutions, church offers, own people, luther hand, trust god, own income, catholic church offers, common people,
Approximate Word count = 982
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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