reference to 'A man for all seasons.'

In the play, 'A man for all Seasons', Rich presents us with the idea that 'every man has his price'. The play looks at how every character except More, is able to compromise their principles in exchange for something that benefits them. This shows us that at the end of the day we all, other than a few, will only be looking out for our own self-interest. Money is probably the most common thing that would be offered to someone to compromise his or her principles for example. Money is a benefit and most people, being human, will accept it, as it would be in their self-interest to do so. The play gives us a range of characters that have different prices, most of which are met, and shows the benefits gained.

The Common Man represents us. He is as relevant in the times of the play as he is now. He is typical of us and just wants enough money to get by with, without getting into dangerous situations. He also shows how we will manipulate a situation to suit our own needs and wants.

The Common Man shows self-interest on a small scale. Take for example when More is using the Common Man's boat and the issue of payment comes up. He asks More to 'make it wor

By reading the play, 'A man for all Seasons', it becomes evident that Rich's comment, 'every man has his price' is mostly true. All of the characters save for More were willing to compromise, betray or discard their principles in order to benefit themselves. The play presents a range of characters, Rich betrays his principles for power, Roper is easily able to compromise his principles for Meg and Meg, the one who is most like More, compromises her principles for her love of her father. More is the only character who doesn't have a price. He clearly doesn't want to die for his beliefs or become a 'martyr' but he is given no choice. His 'price' is not met by anything on earth and even his love for his family doesn't come above his principles and love of God. This is surely why the play is named after him and he is 'a man for all seasons' meaning that nothing, no matter what, will be able to change his beliefs.

The Common Man will only go as far as he knows it safe to go. He won't get himself into any dangerous situations, as he wants to protect himself. After both Chapuys and Rich try to find out information on More, the Common Man declares that he will go 'deaf blind and dumb' as soon as he 'can't touch the bottom'. That sums up the way we think. Like us, he will try and benefit himself as much as he can without actually putting himself at risk.

Cromwell is another political figure who like everyone is expedient. He puts his moral views aside and is motivated by what is politically expedient. Cromwell is intimidating to many characters that are just 'acquainted' with More. He is particularly intimidating towards Rich and this is shown when he holds his hand in a flame. He doesn't seem to have any respect for anybody's principles if it will benefit him. Cromwell is indirectly responsible for More's execution as he targets and preys Rich's vulnerability and greed for power and persuades him to lie on oath.

Love seems to surpass Megs principles. Her love for her mother and father puts her principles in second place. It may not seem like it but she is actually being expedient to herself, as she will suffer. Meg does have a mind different to her father's. When More is trying to explain how they can still be happy without money, Meg tells him that she thinks he should take the money. This could be because she wants to put herself first but it could be because she wants her mother to be happy. When More is in jail, Meg even will go under oath to persuade her father to come out, as she doesn't want to lose him. Before, Meg would have understood her father's reasons or at least tried to understand them and doesn't try to question or change his view. However at this point in the play she tries to change his mind about the oath by reasoning with him rationally she even resorts to trying to make him feel guilty. At first, we may think that she is the same as More, but like everyone else in the play, she finally chooses what is expedient for herself over her principles.

Wolsey can see why the divorce of Catherine is necessary and wants More to give his support. He makes it clear to More that he should ignore his own feelings by saying to him 'your conscience is your only affair'. He doesn't realise though, that when he himself may be able to simply compromise his principles, More may find it somewhat

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Approximate Word count = 2243
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)