26) Even though he loves the King to death as proved by Mores loyalty towards him, he values his.

             morality and religion more. For his conscience is a "little area where I must rule myself"(Bolt,p.34). His position is perfectly described in his belief that "when statesmen forsake their own.

             private conscience for the sake of their public duties. they lead their country by a short route to chaos." His idealism is clearly shown in his refusal to take the oath for the oath to him was an.

             invitation to God to act as a witness as well as a judge and the consequence of a perjury was damnation. He is a man who is "anchored to his principles" (Bolt, p.36). The issue is not about what other people see his beliefs as but "not that I believe it, but that I believe it."(Bolt, p.53). He needs to be true to his conscience and cannot let other people interfere with these decisions, for when he faces his creator it is he alone who will answer Him. "In matters of conscience, the loyal subject is more bounded to be loyal to his conscience than to any other thing"(Bolt, p.89) Even towards his tragic end he is so sure of his righteousness that he advises the headsman to "be not afraid of your office. You send me to God. He will not refuse one who is to blithe to go to him" (Bolt, p.94) Thus, it becomes clear that Thomas alone possess the "moral squint" that no other character possesses in the play.

             Thomas More is a pragmatist with a lawyers mind and a loyal heart. He was able to foresee the future and knew exactly what could be used against him later on. When Thomas More realized that the silver goblet that he received from the woman was a bribe he immediately got rid of it. He gave it to Rich, for he knew the type of person Rich was, and gave the woman an impeccably correct judgment. Not surprisingly, the goblet was later used against him but due to More"s actions, it held little substance.