Recognizing Ourselves in The Common Man and - Essay Example

1. Essay: 2. Three vices and or Virtues Essay 4. Conscience Recognizing Ourselves in The Common Man The character of the Common Man serves many purposes. He is narrator, actor and commentator, explaining historical context and setting the scene. By standing outside the action, then taking up roles within it, he states what the author believes; that no matter how ordinary or insignificant he may seem, his involvement is unavoidable - he is part of history. Like all of us, he possesses characteristics which may be described as good and bad, strong and weak, attributes which we can recognize in ourselves. What appears to be of importance, is understanding how circumstances may force people to behave in ways which seem less than moral or noble. Bolt says in his Preface, e is harder to find than a unicorn...but I thought I heard once or twice, a rueful note of recognition.(xviii & xix). In the steward, the boatman and the jailer, all these contradictory elements are portrayed. All demonstrate the virtue of working hard for a living. Matthew faithfully serves More until he can no longer pay him the wages he is accustomed to, and can perceive the differences between a good person and one of little integrity, as he shows contempt for Rich. The boatman, though moaning about running costs and family commitments, seems to know his business and does his job well. The overly-cautious jailer says of his occupation, t's a job like any other job.(Act 2 p. 75). There are actually indications of some loyalty, which could be construed as worldly wisdom and shrewdness, but whatever the motivation, they exist. Matthew gives Cromwell and Chapuys useless information, hat I can tell them is common knowledge!..everyone wants value for his money.(Act 1 p. 25). The boatman stays to serve More, despite recognizing the power of Cromwell, he coming man. while the jailer refuses the fifty guinea bribe, I want no part of it. They can sort it out between them. I feel my deafness coming on.(Act 2 p. 80). Yet these responses may be interpreted with negative significance, relating to the shrew, self preservation characteristics of each, where they are always looking out for their own interests. 2. Matthew feels guilt when refusing to stay with a poorer More, but resentment flares because of how he perceives the world, believing More is tricking him when he expresses affection and says he will miss him. "Miss me What's in me for him to miss...I nearly fell for it. (Act 2 p. 57). It is not his nature to understand More's affection, considering he only wants a cheaper servant. So greed and expediency are presented, along with 'looking out for Number One.' Further proof of this is shown when he goes to work for Rich, h, I can manage this one. He's just my size!(Act 2 p 62), suggesting he sees similarities in their characters, things he does not respect, but accepting that is the way in his world. With the boatman, though willing to serve More, seeming to like and respect him, his own needs are paramount, expect you'll make it worth my while, sir.(Act 1, p. 14). The same attention to the self is expressed by the jailer when he orders More's family to leave on the dot of seven, despite knowing this is their last moment together. 'm a plain simple man and just want to keep out of trouble.Act 2 p. 88). All three are motivated by serving their own needs, keeping themselves safe no matter what. They all lack moral courage to stand up for someone or something they respect and know to be worth supporting. These elements which exist in the Common Man in all his guises are present in every person. The 16th Century is declared at the outset as the 'century of the Common Man, but Bolt wanted to show the audience that this character is timeless. He is not necessarily bad or wicked, but like everyone, has virtues and vices, and is swayed by circumstances encountered in life. There is no doubt that he recognizes an intrinsically good person, but has not the courage or conviction to be associated with that person. He is shrewd enough to recognize the danger and feels it expedient to walk away. He shows some cunning and greed, taking opportunities for little 'extras', while at the same time, tries not to harm anyone in the process. His virtue may be the desire to work hard and get on in life, while his vices are a lack of moral integrity, selfishness and greed. Bolt has given us aspects of human nature from the finest to the most base, what we are and what we could aspire to be. 3. That Which Defines a Man of Moral Integrity Thomas More contended that a person's conscience, which tells him what he believes to be right, and that the individual must be true to himself, are issues worth giving up everything for. By refusing to accept the premise, put by Rich, ut every man has his price!and giving him a silver goblet, t's a bribe Richard....Well, I'm not going to keep it and you need it.(Act 1 p. 2), More is declaring that his conscience and his honesty will over-ride any need for riches and status. No matter what pressures are brought to bear, he cannot compromise his beliefs. On his refusal to agree with the King on the matter of his marriage, Alice sees the danger and begs him homas, stay friends with him.(Act 1 p. 35) and his simple response states his views clearly ut there's a little area...where I must rule myself.(p. 35) In discussing the King's actions with Norfolk, regarding the Pope, he tries to make Norfolk understand his antipathy. he Apostolic Succession...But what matters to me is...that I believe it to be true, or rather not that I believe it, but that I believe it.(Act 2 p. 53). It is then that he gives up his office as Chancellor, and the money and status this entailed. He believes that secular law will protect him, and that sacred law is not to be abused. Alice is angry, worried about how they will live, with no income and what Thomas will do with himself. She thinks he is a oor silly manif he thinks he will be left alone to get on with life, and still does not understand his reasons. Already they cannot afford good food and Matthew and the servants have to be found new positions, they cannot pay them. Other signs of poverty are apparent when, during Chapuy's visit, Meg and Roper arrive with bracken to burn on the fire. More could have 4000 from the bishops, for his writing, even Meg wants him to take it. Once more, he tries to make his family understand the dangers of his position, and ultimately theirs. He is concerned for their safety, as well as what his conscience dictates. "If the King takes this matter any further, with me or with the Church, it will be very bad if I even appear to have been in the pay of the Church.(Act 2 p. 65) Cromwell's arrival alerts Alice to the real danger, though she remains angry with her husband, mostly driven by fear for his welfare. 4. Trumped up charges, allegations of bribery and treason, the force of the niversities, the Bishops and the Parliament of the Realm(Act 2 p. 67), and finally the threat from Henry himself ever could be so villainous a servant nor so traitorous a subject as yourself!(Act 2 p. 69), none of these can sway him. In prison and finally facing death, Margaret tries to persuade him to take the Oath of Succession, just saying the words but thinking differently inside. She asks aven't you done as much as God can reasonably want The inference is that Thomas has given up everything for the sake of his conscience and beliefs in the Laws of the Church and the State. More's response underlines the concept of how he holds fast to the value of an upright conscience. ell...finally, it isn't a matter of reason; finally it's a matter of love.(Act 2 p. 84). Saddened by his daughter's sorrow and his wife's anger, he seeks their understanding, before going to the false trial which he knows will end with his death. Bolt tells us that More's face is 'shining' after Alice says ..I understand you're the best man that I ever met or am likely to; and if you go - well God knows why I suppose...God's kept deadly quiet about it!(Act 2 p. 86). She still does not fully understand, but loves and blesses him for his goodness. It would seem that everything material is lost to Thomas More, including his friends, but he is rich in that he has kept intact his beliefs and integrity, willingly sacrificing his life for them. His strength stands firm when he tells the Court that n matters of conscience, the loyal subject is more bounden to be loyal to his conscience than to any other thing.(Act 2 p. 92). This sums up his philosophy, and the words, do none harm, I say none harm, I think none harm. And if this be not enough to keep a man alive, in good faith I long not to live...(Act 2 p. 97) show the outstanding character of a good and great spirit. QUOTES AND CONFLICTS: THOSE MARKED IN BOLD NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION! 1. Possibly Cromwell to Rich I cannot remember this one at all. 2. Alice is talking to More in his prison cell, as they say goodbye forever. She is expressing her love, loyalty and wish to fight for his honor, no matter how powerful the people she needs to address. She also shows how mystified she is regarding God's plan, wishes she knew what it was in all this. The effect on More is that he sees her as a 'lion' defending its cub, or a person of great heart who is not afraid to stand up for him. Finally, he is happy and delighted with what is in essence a declaration of great love for him. ACT 2 3. Henry is talking to More, on the evening he pays a surprise visit to the Chancellor's home, trying to enlist his support for the divorce. Henry is not only reminding More of his expectations of loyalty, due to More's Chancellorship, but is exerting his on authority and his words carry a threat. This frightens Alice, she fears danger and loss of job, wealth and status for Thomas, while More remains calm, believing in the strength of the law both sacred and secular. ACT 1 4. Not at all sure, possible it is Rich to Cromwell when trying to find bad stuff on More 5. I think this might be Common man addressing the audience at the start of Act 2, setting the historical context of the play, citing the past and future. He shows how the wicked have triumphed in life, but the end is the same for all, no earthly riches can change the outcome for any one death is inevitable, no matter how life is lived. ACT 2 6. More is speaking to Cardinal Wolsey, having been called to the Bishop's palace. He is answering Wolsey's attempts to put pressure on him to support the king's divorce and attitude to the Pope. He means that a person who is a priest should not take the expedient route of statesmen out to preserve their own status, wealth and lives at the expense of true principles. He makes a barbed point about having his prayers to fall back on to remind the cardinal of what he should be doing. More is not pressurized, and Wolsey dies soon after. ACT 1 7. More is talking outside to his family, on learning from Meg about the bill for the Oath of Succession. He uses his dry humor to diffuse their concerns, and once back home, enters into an argument with Meg about why his conscience will not allow him to take the oath and how the law and his silence will save him. ACT 2 8. Common man is addressing the audience at the start of the play, sharing with the audience the author's belief that common man exists in every century, and always will. He highlights how many people own the characteristics of mediocrity and self preservation in the time of the play, and alerts the audience to the character of that one man who is uncommon. He then goes on to dress for the role of Matthew the steward. ACT 1 9. I think, so check, Roper is discussing Henry's actions with More and acknowledging that he is no longer so antagonistic towards Catholicism, almost agreeing with his father-in-law. The conversation takes place in the family home, I am not sure of More's reaction it may have been ironic humor. ACT 2 10. I think, so check, Norfolk is speaking to More, trying to make him see how sensible it would be to support the king and save himself. More tries to explain how his conscience will not let him, and offers Norfolk his resignation as Chancellor. Norfolk is sad and worried about his friend. ACT 2 11. More says these words to Rich at his trial, (I think) and he means that Rich has put little value on his soul, almost sold it for a small, insignificant principality, which was Wales. It is an ironic rebuke and causes Rich to feel ashamed, realizing he has betrayed a man who was kind to him and did him no harm. He also sees his own weakness of character as against More's strength. ACT 2 CONFLICTS: More with Roper. Roper is quite opinionated, bombastic and lacking in sensitivity. He is also anti-Pope and Catholicism, loudly spouting his opinions and annoying More, which makes him use sarcasm and angry responses when dealing with Roper. More and Alice: She does not understand fully why he will not conform and why her life has to be disrupted by his conscience. She sort of nags at him, and causes him at times to be a little impatient and somewhat patronizing towards her. Her conflict too, is that she believes she is second best in terms of love, as Meg his daughter is his favorite. There is a conflict of intellect really, as Alice is more worldly wise and sensible, while More is the more spiritual person in the partnership. More and Norfolk: While there is much affection between the two men, Norfolk is again less moral in terms of his conscience as he wants to save himself and More. He thinks loyalty to friends and family is more important than sticking to principles. He cannot fully understand More, and rises to the bait when More stages a fight with him, for his own protection. They can never see eye to eye on the matter, because of their different values. More and Margaret: They are intellectually close, and More trusts Meg's judgements. He is saddened by her attempts to make him take the oath, and only say the words, while not meaning them internally. He cannot accept that she would really think like that, and argues against this as an impossible thing to do. He then finds that Margaret has been forced to try to change his mind at the last minute, in the prison cell. She also thinks that he has done enough for God, while he knows he must see it through to the end. More and Henry: This conflict is what costs More his life. The king wants to change the laws of the Church to suit his own needs, to put away Catherine his wife, twisting things so that he appears in the right if he divorces her and marries Anne. More sees this as an attack on the sacred law he upholds so strongly, on his religious beliefs and his conscience. The king has the power, More is deprived of his and while one uses foul means to achieve his wishes, the other dies with honor. One is willing to compromise to get what he wants, the other sees this as destruction of his integrity. Read More